KINGSTON, Jamaica – The Ministry of Agriculture has announced the establishment of a 100-acre orchard, comprising 50 acres of ackees and 50 acres of mangoes, on lands in the central parish of Clarendon.
This aligns with the Ministry’s food security strategy, which is key to growing the agricultural sector.
According to the ministry, climate change, global warming and other challenges have made it imperative that Jamaica keeps abreast of the latest in technological advances in the industry.
Speaking at the national ceremony in observance of World Food Day, earlier this week, State Minister in the Ministry, Franklyn Witter, said plans for the orchard form part of the Administration’s New Face of Food Initiative.
“The Ministry will support this institution in establishing 100 acres of fruit trees, comprising 50 acres of ackees and 50 acres of mangoes. The demand for ackee worldwide is tremendous and we want to see Jamaica reach the point where we are able to satisfy international demand for that product.”
Witter said all fields will be equipped with a comprehensive irrigation system to ensure optimum water and nutrient management and that inter-cropping of vegetables will be practised in all fields.
“The Ministry will provide, free of cost to the institution, all fruit trees, all seeds required, irrigation hoses and accessories, assistance with land preparation, technical advice and training,” he said.
Witter pointed out that youth involvement in agriculture cannot be overemphasised and must remain in sharp focus by any government that wants to achieve results in the sector, adding that 20 per cent of what the Ministry does involves the youth.
Meanwhile, the State Minister also informed that research centres have been relaunched islandwide to become Centres of Excellence that address areas such as research and development infrastructure, technology, commercialisation, industrial strengthening and capacity development within the agricultural sector.
Also addressing the ceremony on behalf of Alexis Bonte, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Representative for Jamaica, The Bahamas and Belize was Danalyn Swaby.
She said the theme, ‘Right to Food for a Better Life and Future – Leave no one Behind’, was a call to action challenging everyone to reimagine food systems worldwide, where everyone can enjoy the basic human right to healthy, diverse foods that sustain both body and community.
“This is a vision that the FAO is committed to achieving and actively pursue in partnership with the Ministry. Their leadership and collaboration are instrumental in advancing our shared goal of food security and sustainable development,” she added.
Swaby noted that the FAO’s role in Jamaica spans key areas of collaboration, such as enhancing market access, building resilient rural livelihoods, and safeguarding the sustainability of livestock, land use and more, geared at creating stronger, more inclusive systems that benefit all Jamaicans.
