3,000 acres of fruit trees by 2035

Jamaica is embarking on an ambitious drive to expand agricultural output, bolster food security and earn more foreign exchange by planting at least 3,000 acres of five key fruit trees – mango, ackee, breadfruit, avocado and coconut – by 2035.

The initiative is designed to draw in farmers from one-acre plots to large commercial holdings, provided they have suitable land, appropriate crop choices and a willingness to participate.

Central to the programme are two research hubs: the Bodles Agricultural Research Station in Old Harbour, St Catherine, and the Orange River Agricultural Research Station in St Mary. Both are tasked with grafting and propagation to ensure that farmers receive high-quality planting material.

“The whole objective is to satisfy export demand, satisfy local fresh fruit consumption and provide raw material for agro processing,” said Locksley Waites, senior agronomist at the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA). “Another objective is to ensure that at least thirty percent of our orchards receive irrigation water, which will contribute to increase yields.”

Market analysis indicates strong global demand for Jamaican mango, avocado, ackee and breadfruit, positioning the country to expand its export footprint. According to the Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN), ackee alone earned US$2.5 million in 2022, with other fruits contributing meaningfully to the sector.

A major pillar of the programme is avocado, which Waites describes as “green gold.” He noted that Jamaica’s export potential could reach US$2.9 billion within a global market valued at US$20 billion and projected to grow to US$30 billion by 2035. But seasonal production – typically July to November – has curtailed the island’s ability to compete year-round.

AVOCADO VARIETIES

To address this, the ministry has moved to diversify avocado varieties. “We then communicated with the Dominican Republic and they invited us to look at their avocado production,” Waites, the fruit tree crop specialist explained.

Jamaica is seeking to introduce three new cultivars – Haas, Semil 34 and Carla. “Haas is responsible for 80 per cent of world trade in avocado,” Waites noted.

Pilot planting will begin in several locations, including Malvern in St Elizabeth, Maroon Town, Browns Town, Kellits, Chapleton, Mocho and Cross Keys in Manchester. The crops will be monitored over two to three years to determine optimal growing conditions before commercial expansion. Parallel experiments will also be conducted at research stations.

Don McGlashon, principal research director in the ministry, said the trials will guide best practices as the programme scales up.

He underscored the need for strong farmer engagement: “I want to emphasise the matter of food security for what we are doing with these fruit crops, we need more take up by farmers to drive the initiative to the required level,” he told The Gleaner.

The project also targets householders and housing developers, encouraging backyard cultivation, particularly in communities affected by Hurricane Melissa. Residents in impacted areas will receive at least three plants per household.

Georgia Clarke of the ministry’s research division highlighted the importance of proper crop care, noting that grafted plants are frequently lost due to poor maintenance. She emphasised pruning as a critical skill for both farmers and householders.

As Jamaica expands its fruit-tree footprint, the initiative promises to reshape rural livelihoods, strengthen the island’s food systems and unlock fresh export opportunities.

editorial@gleanerjm.com