Jamaicans encouraged to get involved in backyard gardening

The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining is encouraging Jamaicans to get involved in backyard gardening in an effort to bolster the country's food security.

Portfolio Minister Floyd Green posits that if more individuals develop an appreciation for farming by engaging in backyard gardening, then the number of persons consistently supporting Jamaica's farmers will be significant.

“We need to see more people thinking about their own food security through their backyard gardens. Again, you don't need a lot of space. Agricultural technology has evolved now. We can do vertical farming and hydroponics systems. So even if you have a small space, you can grow some of what you eat,” he said.

Each year, Jamaicans can access backyard gardening kits by applying through the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA). More than 3,000 applications were received in 2023.

Meanwhile, Minister Green said there are a number of initiatives and resources available to assist backyard gardeners looking to fully get into farming.

“We do have an Irish potato-growing programme, and farmers who are interested can contact their local RADA office, especially if you are in a traditionally strong Irish potato-growing area. We have an onion programme, and in all these programmes, we provide the inputs – planting materials, fertiliser and we help you in terms of technical support,” he informed.                                                                  

For persons interested in accessing capital to get involved in the sector, the minister recommends contacting the Agro-Investment Corporation.

“We are now expanding our irrigation networks and we will have, over the next year to two years, massive agro-parks… over 200 hectares in St Catherine and over 100 hectares in Clarendon. So if you are interested in land and you are looking for land for agriculture, contact the Agro-Investment Corporation,” Green shared.

He further informed that “we are going to be doing new agro-parks in Essex Valley… that's south Manchester and south St. Elizabeth”.

“We already have agro-parks that are specially targeted, such as the mango agro-park in Clarendon… we are also doing a breadfruit [agro-park]. So contact the Agro-Investment Corporation if you are looking for investment opportunities,” Minister Green said.

For further information, persons can visit www.agroinvest.gov.jm

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