In light of the growing challenges surrounding food security worldwide, the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries is introducing a new campaign dubbed ‘Grow Smart, Eat Smart’ as part of a national thrust to address the phenomenon.

Making his contribution to the 2022-2023 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on Tuesday (May 17), Agriculture Minister Pearnel Charles Jr, in announcing the new initiative, said: “‘Grow Smart, Eat Smart’ builds upon the existing policies and programmes of the ministry with a major thrust to drive us to eat more wholesome and nutritious foods and grow strategically… .”

He noted that the campaign would target several priority areas, including crop production, climate-smart practices and technologies, access to finance, protection and insurance for farmers, with a focus on praedial larceny, the development of a National Farming Trust and the expansion of fisherfolk and farmers insurance.

Among other things, it is intended that the campaign will examine the current culture in the agriculture sector and address the gaps to promote greater collaboration and efficiency.

These include providing financing, technical training and support for farmers, especially the youth, to take up farming as a viable business option, providing more leases for idle agriculture lands and promoting linkages and partnerships.

Charles informed: “We will be focused on driving the linkages with health and updating the current food and nutrition policy to boost consumption of nutritious local foods.”

The ‘Grow Smart, Eat Smart’ campaign is to be launched jointly with the Ministry of Health and Wellness.

The initiative targets expanded production and consumption of locally grown crops and value-added production.

The aim is not only to grow targeted crops that bring the best yields and results for farmers but will target lowering the island’s import bill, supporting farmers and chartering a continued growth path while providing Jamaicans and the regional bloc with fresh and nutritious food and alternatives.