Durrant Pate/Contributor

Agriculture Minister Floyd Green has announced the rolling out of the government’s latest drought mitigation plan, which includes the allocation of an additional $40-million.

In making the announcement in a ministerial statement to parliament on Tuesday, Green cited the ongoing dry period, which has been adversely affecting the agricultural sector and rural communities across Jamaica, as well as the shifts being seen in the prices of our fruits and vegetables. 

Pointing out that the December 2024 rainfall report tells an important story that highlights the challenges farmers continue to face, the Agriculture Minister unveiled the administration’s latest assistance programme.

The Ministry, he said, has already begun taking the necessary steps to alleviate the effects of the dry period and to brace for the months to come, rolling out an immediate and strategic response to safeguard livelihoods and food production, because farmers cannot afford to wait. 

$30-million for water trucking

First on the frontlines is water trucking to aid in the hardest-hit parishes of St. Elizabeth, Manchester and Clarendon. The Ministry has committed $30 million to this effort. To accelerate delivery, private contractors will also be engaged to ensure that no farmer is left without access to this critical resource. 

Beyond immediate relief, the Ministry is investing in sustainable solutions to help farmers manage water efficiently. The National Irrigation Commission (NIC) is fast-tracking the procurement of water tanks and drip irrigation hoses, ensuring that those who need them most receive support. 

For those already preparing water catchment areas, pond liners will be provided, prioritizing larger production zones and farming clusters. To further combat the dry conditions, the Agro-Investment Corporation (AIC) will distribute grass mulch, a simple yet powerful tool to help retain soil moisture and protect crops. 

Help coming from NGO’s

The Minister emphasized that this comprehensive response is backed by a $134 million budget, strategically allocated to provide real, tangible relief. He disclosed, “Food for the Poor has committed to providing 100 small water pumps, which will be distributed to farmers in the targeted production areas. To formalize this critical support initiative, a handover ceremony for the pumps will take place within the next two weeks.”

He said every effort is being made to ensure swift, strategic and fair distribution of these resources, targeting the highest production zones and the farmers in greatest need. According to Minister Green, “the detailed rollout plan, developed in collaboration with RADA, NIC, and AIC, will ensure that help reaches the right hands at the right time.”

In addition, the Ministry is partnering with the Jamaica Social Investment Fund and Food For the Poor, which is stepping up with vital contributions, pond liners and water pumps to further strengthen the response.

The agriculture minister explained, ” While no parish has experienced what is defined as a meteorological drought, it is important to recognize that seven of 13 parishes recorded below-average rainfall with values ranging from 53% to 85% of their 30-year climatological means.

Low rainfall poses challenges

This means seven parishes received lower rainfall than their 30-year average posing challenging conditions for the agricultural sector, particularly in areas that have recorded consistently low rainfall. Green contended that the impact of this deficit is particularly concerning for farmers, who rely on regular and sufficient rainfall to sustain their crops and livestock. 

Beyond immediate relief, the ministry has made significant investments in long-term water security for farmers, who he said are already better able to face this year’s dry period because of the work done by the ministry last year. Over the past year, it has constructed and enhanced 11 catchment and retention ponds in key agricultural areas, including Perth Town in Trelawny, Malvern in St. Elizabeth, John’s Vale in Clarendon and Williamsfield in Manchester, where the ministry has expanded the facility with pond liners. 

In addition to the newly constructed catchment pond at Hindstown, St. Ann, the Agriculture Ministry has expanded existing catchment areas and fixed leakages, further strengthening water storage capacity for farmers. The ministry has almost completed a brand new catchment pond in New Pen as well and will continue this effort by procuring 12,500 square meters of pond liners at a cost of $10 million, which will be deployed to improve water retention and storage capabilities in critical farming areas.