Green on mission to boost food security, sustainable farming with backyard gardening project
Vanassa McKenzie / Our Today
A renewed backyard gardening programme aimed at boosting food security and sustainable farming practices is set for roll-out today, November 1.
Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Minining Floyd Green, who made the disclosure, says the backyard gardening programme will coincide with the month-long Eat Jamaican campaign that also kicks off today to mark Eat Jamaican Month to encourage Jamaicans to support local farmers and fishers.
“It is very important in relation to boosting food security and also to encourage sustainable farming practices but to look at food security on a household level and to give all of us a greater appreciation of what our farmers go through,” Green said at a post-Cabinet press briefing on Wednesday, November 1.
The agriculture minister said more than 3,000 backyard gardening kits will be distributed through the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA).
“What is critical in this programme is that RADA will also be providing essential guidance. We will be focusing on our vegetable lines, we do have some online training support for you. We are looking to create the next generation of backyard gardeners,” the agriculture minister said.
The ministry is encouraging individuals to sign up for the programme online at rada.gov.jm/backyardgardeningkits, which will become live at 12 noon on Wednesday.
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