$234m for Castleton Gardens upgrades, agriculture in 'Hill to Ocean' project

A $234 million budget has been proposed to fund infrastructural upgrades at Castleton Botanical Gardens, and pig production manuals, among other things, under a climate change and poverty reduction project in the next financial year.

The money has been set aside in the budget proposed for the 2025-2026 financial year, which starts on April 1.

It is part of the Jamaican Path from Hills to Ocean Project that is being implemented by the Planning Institute of Jamaica.

It aims to reduce poverty and boost the country's resilience to climate change through the implementation of an integrated and sustainable landscape management methodology.

Key targets include designing and constructing gabions, fences, and walls at Castleton Botanical Gardens in St Mary, along with rehabilitating bathrooms and gazebos. Fencing will also be designed and built at the Mason River Protected Area.

Additionally, environmental equipment such as water monitoring systems and data loggers will be procured, and manuals will be developed for broilers, pig production, and small ruminants. A seagrass assessment report for Ocho Rios, St Ann, and Hellshire in St. Catherine, is also expected.

Achievements up to December 2024 include the completion of a rapid ecological assessment study, hydrological study for the Mason River Protected Areas, and the communication, visibility and sensitisation strategy.

Four aerial drones were also acquired.

-JIS News

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