Jamaica produced some 779,254 tonnes of domestic crops in 2023, which is the country’s second-highest production figure on record.

Minister of State in the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining Franklin Witter, in making the disclosure, said that the output was achieved despite unfavourable weather conditions.

“Jamaica, like the rest of the world, experienced one of the hottest years ever recorded… last year. Consequently, the drought, as well as the short period of intense rainfall that we experienced, did have some impact on our productivity here in Jamaica,” he said.

“I must say that this speaks to the love that God has for this island of Jamaica. With all those challenges and difficulties, we were able to achieve that, so we give Him thanks for his mercies and blessings,” he underscored.

Witter was addressing the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS) 41st annual National Farmers’ Month church service held at the Kettering Baptist church in Duncans, Trelawny, on Sunday, April 7. The agriculture state minister noted that celebration of Farmers Month provides opportunity to increase support “to all the various departments and all the various agricultural sectors”.

“Our strategic vision is embedded in our New FACE of Food strategy, and this is an acronym for a strategic layout of food security, agro-business development, climate-change technologies, and export expansion,” he noted.

President of the JAS Lenworth Fulton, whose remarks were delivered by second vice-president, Owen Dobson, congratulated farmers and other stakeholders for their contribution and faith in the JAS and, by extension, the agricultural sector.

Mayor of Falmouth Collen Gager, in his remarks, underscored the importance of farmers in ensuring food security and pledged the municipal corporation’s continued support for the agricultural sector in the parish.

The Farmer’s Month church service was held under the theme ‘Grow what we eat… Eat what we grow’.