FAO-supported agri programme closes with more than 200 upskilled beneficiaries

The Improving Rural Livelihoods through Resilient Agrifood Systems (IRL) project has concluded, leaving behind a strengthened farming community in Kitson Town equipped with the skills, resources, and infrastructure to sustain and expand agricultural production.

The closure and handover ceremony was held on Wednesday at St Catherine High School, marking a major milestone for the community where the project was implemented.

The US$1-million initiative was carried out by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in partnership with the Government of Jamaica, with support from the India–UN Development Partnership Fund and coordination from the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation. It focused on strengthening agricultural practices in Kitson Town through training, productive assets, and enterprise support.

Since its launch in 2023, training has been at the core of the programme, with more than 200 beneficiaries receiving hands-on instruction in protected agriculture, livestock management, entrepreneurship, and food safety.

According to the FAO, the programme was reinforced by the introduction of climate-smart production systems, including protected agriculture units with integrated rainwater harvesting, greenhouse production, and poultry and small livestock infrastructure.

As part of the practical training, poultry and goat demonstration units were constructed and existing facilities upgraded. Beneficiaries were also provided with livestock, feed, equipment and inputs, strengthening their ability to maintain production and respond to climate challenges.

Under the protected agriculture component, 14 beneficiaries received greenhouse units, including in-soil systems, hydroponics, and nurseries, along with tailored input packages. These included fertilisers, seedling trays, crates, and personal protective equipment such as gloves, goggles, chemical masks, and pressure sprayers, in addition to organic pesticides and essential tools like pH meters, scales, and shovels. In total, 7.5 tonnes (16,424 lbs) of fertiliser were distributed to support crop production.

The project also bolstered agriculture programmes at St Catherine High School and Tacius Golding High School, where students participated in training and applied learning, positioning youth as active contributors to the sector.

St Catherine High School was among the beneficiaries of a greenhouse system, including a 1,000-plant hydroponics unit. The installation addresses long-standing soil-quality challenges and is expected to strengthen the school’s ability to support its canteen while enhancing hands-on learning opportunities.

Delivering the keynote address, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining Floyd Green pointed to the importance of the project within the context of a changing climate, noting that farmers must now do more than produce as they are increasingly required to adapt to shifting conditions.

BUILDING RESILIENCE

He stressed that building resilience must be intentional, reflected in how farmers are trained, how investments are made, and how support systems are structured.

The contribution of the Government of India through the India–UN Development Partnership Fund was also highlighted.

In a video message, India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Parvathaneni Harish, said the initiative reflected the strong cooperation between both countries, noting that India responded to Jamaica’s call to support rural livelihoods, guided by a shared commitment to partnership and development.

India’s High Commissioner to Jamaica, Mayank Joshi, also reaffirmed his country’s support for Jamaica’s development priorities.

United Nations Resident Coordinator Dennis Zulu described the project as a model of partnership, noting that the ceremony marked not just its end but a transition to local ownership and long-term impact.

FAO Representative for Jamaica, The Bahamas and Belize Dr Ana Touza highlighted the depth of engagement with beneficiaries, pointing to the tangible results achieved at both the farm and community levels.

She underscored the role of youth and women, the primary focus of the initiative, noting that students involved are already contributing ideas and solutions for the future of agriculture, demonstrating the sector’s potential as a pathway for opportunity.

Reflecting on 2026 as the International Year of the Woman Farmer, she noted that women made up nearly 63 per cent of participants, reinforcing their central role in strengthening livelihoods and building resilient communities.

On behalf of beneficiaries, Patricia Morgan spoke to the project’s impact in Kitson Town.

“Because of this collaboration, lives are being transformed, skills are being developed, women are becoming more independent, and communities are becoming more self-reliant. This is more than just a programme. It is a movement of empowerment and progress,” she said.

The project’s success was driven by collaboration among national and community partners. Training was supported by the Spring Village Development Foundation, Junior Achievement Jamaica, Agro-Invest Corporation, and the Jamaica Business Development Corporation, equipping participants with practical skills for both production and enterprise.

Oversight and coordination were provided through a multistakeholder steering committee comprising the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, the Rural Agricultural Development Authority, the Planning Institute of Jamaica, the Agro-Investment Corporation, the Jamaica Agricultural Society, the College of Agriculture, Science and Education, the Indian High Commission, and representatives of the Kitson Town Community Development Committee.