The Government of Jamaica, led by Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Mining Floyd Green, is launching a $20-million Equipment Lease Programme to assist dairy farmers in improving their productivity.

The initiative was announced during the Dairy Livestock Innovation and Nutrition Programme at Knockalva Polytechnic College in Hanover on November 28, 2024.

The programme is aimed at alleviating the financial burden on farmers struggling to acquire modern equipment for efficient dairy operations.

Minister Green explained, “We will be providing 15 mobile milking machines, 11 milk cooling tanks, and a harvester. All of this is over $20 million that we have invested; that we will be providing on preferential lease terms to our farmers.”

He emphasised the importance of modernising dairy farming, pointing out, “The reality is, it is an inefficient way of doing things, and in this modern era we cannot continue to use old methodologies and expect different results.”

He noted, too, that traditional farming methods often limit productivity and income potential.Green also highlighted the potential benefits of the new equipment.

“Our farmers often milk only once a day. With our mobile milkers, we have seen farmers milking twice a day. That means you are already doubling your income from the same animal,” he said.

The minister also referred to the harvester as a game-changer, saying, “The equipment can drastically reduce the time required for harvesting grass, transforming a task that previously took several days into a matter of minutes.”

The Equipment Lease Programme is expected to create a positive ripple effect throughout the dairy industry, boosting both productivity and profitability.

“By reducing labour costs and increasing the efficiency of operations, the initiative aims to empower farmers to be more competitive in the market,” Minister Green noted.

In addition to providing the equipment, the Government is committed to offering training and support to ensure that farmers can maximise the benefits of the new technology.

“The integration of modern practices and equipment is essential for the future sustainability of the dairy industry, and the government is dedicated to facilitating this transition,” Green concluded.

The programme also supports the Government’s broader goals of enhancing food security and increasing agricultural productivity across Jamaica.