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The Ministry of Agriculture, in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the Government of Canada, launched the Gender-responsive Climate-smart Agriculture and Food Systems in the Caribbean (GCAF Caribbean) project on Thursday, January 23.

The initiative aims to address the challenges of food security, climate change, and gender inclusivity within the region’s agricultural sector.

The launch, which featured representatives from the Ministry, the FAO, and the Canadian High Commission, provided a platform to discuss the project’s core objectives. Participants reviewed strategies to support women and youth, modernize agricultural practices, and address systemic barriers in the sector. The event’s agenda included presentations on Jamaica’s agricultural value chains, focusing on apiculture, small ruminants, and ackee, as well as discussions on gender issues and climate change considerations.

International Value Chain Expert and Project Coordinator, Ms. Vermaran Extavour, underscored the necessity of a focused approach to achieve meaningful outcomes despite limited resources. “This project is going to force us to be very focused in our delivery. Some things are national, and some are specific to the chain, which is why we need a strong steering committee and a dedicated team on the ground to manage the challenges effectively,” she said.

Minister of Agriculture Floyd Green, in his keynote address, emphasized the importance of aligning the initiative with the Ministry’s “new face of food” strategy. He highlighted four fundamental pillars: food security, agribusiness development, climate-smart technology, and export expansion. “We recognize the significant barriers faced by women and youth in agriculture, including access to land, financing, and essential resources like climate-smart tools,” said Minister Green. “This project is a step forward in addressing these inequities and ensuring their full participation in the sector.”

The GCAF Caribbean initiative will focus on critical areas to modernize and sustain regional agriculture. Among the key deliverables are training over 3,500 women and youth in climate-smart agricultural practices, upgrading 16 agro-processing facilities to support gender-inclusive value chains, and providing targeted support for crop and livestock production, including beekeeping and small ruminants. Efforts will also include expanding access to land and resources for women and youth, with preferential terms for 25 per cent of government-owned agricultural lands.

Minister Green also highlighted ongoing national programs such as Project Feed, which focuses on creating opportunities for women, youth, and persons with disabilities. Under this initiative, more than $390 million has been allocated for production incentives, with a quarter of the funds specifically directed towards these groups.

“This project will not only create opportunities for women and youth but will also introduce cutting-edge technologies, such as AI-driven smart farms, to modernize our agricultural systems,” he said.

The Ministry’s flagship Rural Youth Empowerment Program was also discussed as a model for capacity building. The program includes starter grants, hands-on training, and additional funding through pitch competitions. In 2024, over 200 young people benefited from these initiatives, receiving the tools and resources needed to establish their agricultural enterprises.

The workshop concluded with a technical session to prioritize value-chain activities and ongoing projects, ensuring a streamlined approach to implementation. Minister Green reaffirmed the government’s commitment to reducing inequality in the sector.

The GCAF Caribbean project represents a collaborative effort to foster sustainable and inclusive growth in agriculture, ensuring Jamaica’s agricultural sector remains resilient in the face of climate change and global challenges.

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