Sun | May 17, 2026

UPDATED: Govt to spend $600m to revitalise Montpelier Agricultural Research Station

Published:Monday | April 28, 2025 | 6:10 PMAlbert Ferguson/Gleaner Writer
From left: Owen Dobson, president of the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS); Custos of St James, Bishop Conrad Pitkin; Glendon Harris, president of the St James Branch Society of the JAS; Richard Vernon, mayor of Montego Bay; and Floyd Green, Minister of A
Albert Ferguson
From left: Owen Dobson, president of the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS); Custos of St James, Bishop Conrad Pitkin; Glendon Harris, president of the St James Branch Society of the JAS; Richard Vernon, mayor of Montego Bay; and Floyd Green, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Mining, celebrate the return of plantain to the marketplace at the 42nd staging of the Montpelier Agricultural Show on Monday, following the passage of Hurricane Beryl.

WESTERN BUREAU:

Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining Floyd Green has announced that starting this fiscal year and continuing over the next six years, the Government will invest $600 million to revitalise the Montpelier Agricultural Research Station in St James.

Speaking to farmers at the 42nd annual Montpelier Agricultural Show on Easter Monday, Green acknowledged that the facility has struggled for decades due to poor policy decisions and inadequate funding. As a result, it has not been able to adequately serve the farmers’ needs.

“It’s not something we talk about often, but agriculture cannot move forward unless we invest in research and adapt to the new realities farmers face,” Green said, highlighting the need to fully restore and operationalise the Montpelier Agriculture Research Station.

He pointed to the impact of climate change, noting that farmers are experiencing longer droughts, heavier rainfall, and an increase in pests and diseases that were previously uncommon.

“For a long time, Montpelier has had a research station, but unfortunately, over the years, it has declined due to a lack of resources,” Green stated. “We are changing that and embarking on a redevelopment programme. In fact, over the next six years, we will invest $600 billion to renovate and restore Montpelier.”

“We will carry out a complete renovation — installing perimeter fencing, irrigation systems, and developing new pastures,” the minister told farmers on Monday.

Once restored, the research station will focus on improving ginger, turmeric, and other crop yields, helping farmers to maximise their production.

“These are crops you are already doing well with, but we want to help you do even better,” Green explained.

“We will also drive advancements in livestock breeding to ensure that Montpelier serves as a beacon of agricultural innovation for farmers in St James, Westmoreland, and Hanover. We must do the necessary work to boost productivity and ensure farmers receive better returns on their investments,” he added.

Editor's Note: A previous version of this article incorrectly stated that the Government is to spend $600 billion to revitalise Montpelier Agricultural Research Station. We regret the error.