While Jamaica has made meaningful strides in promoting agro‑tourism as part of its development agenda, limited access to financing and slow implementation remain key barriers to scaling the sector, according to panellists at JMMB Group’s most recent instalment of its thought leadership breakfast series, this time, held in Treasure Beach, St. Elizabeth, on Thursday.

The forum, hosted under the theme “Building Stronger Communities: The Future of Agro‑Tourism and Sustainable Development in Treasure Beach”, brought together policymakers, development practitioners and private‑sector leaders to examine how agriculture, tourism and investment can be better aligned to deliver sustainable growth in rural communities.

A recurring concern raised during the discussion was that although policy frameworks supporting agro‑tourism and community‑based tourism are largely in place, execution has lagged, particularly where financing for farmers, fishers and small operators is concerned.

Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, the Honourable Floyd Green, said that expanding agro‑tourism will require innovative financing models and closer collaboration between government and the private sector. “One of the biggest challenges facing rural development is access to capital,” Minister Green said. “Farmers and fishers with proven track records still struggle to secure financing to scale their operations. If agro‑tourism is to truly retain more value in communities, we have to address how capital flows into the sector and how risk is shared.”

The discussion highlighted Treasure Beach as a practical case study, where community‑based tourism has created direct links between agriculture, fishing and visitor experiences, helping to keep a greater share of tourism earnings within the local economy. However, panellists cautioned that replicating this model nationally will require stronger infrastructure support and more flexible financing solutions.

Heather Pinnock, Managing Director of LUCEA Caribbean Limited, emphasised that sustainable development must be approached as a balance, rather than a single‑issue agenda. “Sustainable development is not just about environmental protection,” Pinnock explained. “It’s about balancing people, planet and profit. If we pursue growth without protecting communities or the environment, it’s not sustainable, but if we ignore economic viability, development will stall.”

From a design and planning perspective, the forum also explored the role of climate‑resilient development and community‑centred decision‑making in protecting rural and coastal areas that remain vulnerable to climate shocks. Panellists noted that development models which engage communities directly and connect visitors to local production, can reshape consumer behaviour and influence long‑term investment decisions.

Reflecting on JMMB’s role in convening the discussion, Alwayne Cousins, Country Chief Client Partnership Officer, JMMB Group, said, “Unlocking the full potential of agro‑tourism will require more than vision alone. It demands intentional partnerships between policymakers, financiers, developers and communities to address execution gaps, improve access to capital and ensure that growth is sustainable, inclusive and delivers tangible benefits at the community level.”

The Treasure Beach forum forms part of JMMB’s quarterly thought leadership breakfast series, which is hosted in different regions across the island to facilitate informed discussion on pressing economic and development issues and to explore practical pathways for growth.