Floyd Green | Pivoting agriculture – tackling praedial larceny

In every conversation about investment in agriculture, praedial larceny emerges as a major barrier, especially when seeking to drive investment in livestock. This was evident during our Face of Food engagements over the past year, where farmers consistently advocated for stronger measures to combat praedial larceny.

Praedial larceny remains a persistent and devastating issue that undermines the hard work of our farmers, disrupts our food-supply chain, and threatens the livelihoods of countless Jamaicans. We are adamant that with consistent and holistic action, we will end this scourge.

POLICING THE PROBLEM

At the core of our strategy must be effective policing. I want to commend Commissioner Kevin Blake for building upon the work of Commissioner Antony Anderson to bring greater focus to praedial larceny.

To this end, the police have established a Praedial Larceny Prevention Unit, which reports to the deputy commissioner of police in charge of the Strategic Operations Portfolio. Seven praedial larceny prevention units have been set up across the 19 geographic police divisions as a precursor to developing an Agricultural Protection Division within the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF).

Benefits of these efforts are visible, with significant year-over-year increases, as follows:

• 139 arrests were made in 2024 compared to 78 arrests in 2023: an 88 per cent increase.

• 201 cases are currently before the courts in 2024 compared to 138 cases in 2023: a 46 per cent increase.

• 285 farm-watch programmes were launched in 2024 compared to 107 in 2023: a 179 per cent increase.

• 28 vehicles were seized in 2024 compared to eight in 2023: a 250 per cent increase.

Additionally, 6,539 operations and raids were conducted, 22,184 larceny-focused patrols were undertaken, 11,868 vehicles were searched, and over 2,000 sensitisation sessions were held.

SPECIALISED FORCE

To build on these strides and ensure greater reach and effectiveness, the Ministry of Agriculture is working with the Ministry of National Security and the JCF to put more boots on the ground in the form of agricultural wardens. These wardens will be a specialised arm of the JCF dedicated to tackling agricultural crimes.

Their mission is to combat praedial larceny and ensuring that our farmers and fishers can reap the fruits of their labour. These wardens will be fully trained police officers but with a specific mandate to protect agricultural produce and livestock.

The JCF has already conducted four recruitment drives, including in the parishes of Trelawny, St Elizabeth, and Westmoreland, to select the first 100 agricultural wardens. So far, 162 individuals have qualified and will undergo an extensive training program covering several key areas, including enforcement modules - fundamentals of police duties and procedures, firearm training, community-based policing; agriculture modules – livestock classification, agricultural practices, and the ministry’s traceability systems, legal modules – legislation, case preparation, and motorcycle/motor vehicle training.

This programme marks a new chapter in the fight against agricultural theft. It is about catching criminals and creating a deterrent that will make would-be thieves think twice before targeting farmers.

STRONGER LEGISLATIVE FRAMEWORK

The ongoing implementation of the agricultural wardens programme will complement the steps this Government has taken to strengthen the legislative framework for preventing praedial larceny. Last year, Parliament amended the Agricultural Produce Act, introducing more severe penalties for crimes related to praedial larceny. Maximum fines were increased from $250,000 to $3,000,000, and the maximum jail time was extended from six months to three years, answering the calls for stricter penalties.

Additionally, the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) is now empowered to issue agricultural dealer’s licences and certificates of dealer registration alongside farmer registration. RADA will also collaborate with the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS) to distribute receipt books, ensuring broader compliance and accountability within the sector.

We are currently in the sensitisation phase, preparing the necessary regulations for tabling this year, followed by full implementation.

Further, this year, amendments are being made to the Praedial Larceny Prevention Act. These amendments aim to significantly increase all fines and address related issues within other key legislation, including the Trespass Act, Larceny Act, Country Fires Act, Malicious Injuries to Property Act, and the Unlawful Possession of Property Act, all of which intersect with the duties of Agricultural Wardens.

TRACEABILITY SYSTEMS

One of the significant achievements is the National Animal Identification and Traceability System (NAITS). This system, which assigns unique identification numbers to livestock and tracks their movement, has already begun transforming the way we manage animal health and security. By enabling farmers to register their animals and monitor their whereabouts, NAITS not only deters theft but also aids in the recovery of stolen livestock. I encourage farmers who have not yet registered their cattle in this system to sign up. The tagging process is provided by the Government free of cost.

We are also exploring the expansion of our registration system and seeking cost-effective models to enhance the traceability of small ruminants.

CUTTING OFF THE MARKET

A critical component of the strategy is dismantling the market for stolen agricultural produce. Without a demand for stolen goods, praedial larceny will lose its profitability. As such, our teams have been conducting a sensitisation drive across various market spaces to inform vendors and buyers that we are moving to a zero-tolerance regime.

To this end, we are working closely with market authorities, vendors, and retailers to ensure that all agricultural produce sold in markets is accompanied by proper documentation. We will be increasing random inspections across all segments to ensure compliance.

Additionally, we will enlist the help of the public through a comprehensive public education campaign that emphasises the importance of purchasing from legitimate sources. We will also establish an anonymous reporting mechanism to allow individuals to report suspicious activities related to the sale of stolen agricultural items.

HARNESSING TECHNOLOGY

Looking ahead, the goal is to integrate more innovative, technology-based solutions to address these challenges. We are currently working on the development of digital platforms that will enable better tracking of produce from farm to market, as well as mobile applications that will allow farmers to report praedial larceny incidents directly to the police in real-time.

Additionally, we are incorporating stronger surveillance and monitoring systems through the use of CCTV cameras, drones, and geofencing.

ALL HANDS ON DECK

The fight against praedial larceny is not one that the Government can win alone. It requires the collective effort of farmers, law enforcement, privat- sector partners, and the wider community. I urge all Jamaicans to join us in this effort by reporting suspicious activities, embracing new technologies and supporting our farmers.

The resilience and dedication of the farmers inspire us every day. We are committed to standing with you and providing the tools and resources needed to protect your livelihoods.

Floyd Green is minister of agriculture fisheries and mining and member of parliament for Saint Elizabeth South Western. Send feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com.