Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries Floyd Green has announced plans to recruit 300 agricultural wardens over three years to combat praedial larceny in Jamaica.

This J$1.8 billion initiative aims to enhance enforcement in agricultural hotspots and improve food security.

“In keeping with the objectives of the Praedial Larceny (Prevention) Act, the Agricultural Wardens Programme is to put more boots on the ground to strengthen the fight against praedial larceny and bring about positive change in the sector.

“This crucial initiative is an essential part of our government’s ongoing commitment and efforts to reduce the scourge of praedial larceny on the agricultural sector, thereby supporting growth, food security, and rural transformation,” said Green, who was speaking in the House of Representatives on Tuesday, October 22.

The recruitment drive, led by the Jamaica Constabulary Force, will see the first 100 wardens undergo extensive training starting in January 2025.

“Madam Speaker, our first 100 agricultural wardens, once recruited, will participate in an extensive training programme to include, among other areas, enforcement modules – fundamentals of police duties and procedures, firearm training, defensive tactics and drills, community-based policing, evidence recording, court preparation, target hardening, agriculture modules – livestock classification, agricultural practices and the ministry’s traceability systems, legal modules – legislations, case preparation and mock trial exercises, and motorcycle/motor vehicle driving certification. Members the curriculum has been completed and we expect that training will start January 2025,” Green disclosed.

By strengthening enforcement and community awareness, the initiative seeks to bolster agricultural productivity and support economic stability in the sector.

The programme aims to significantly reduce the estimated J$14 billion annual losses due to praedial larceny, which has risen from J$8 billion in 2013.