KINGSTON, Jamaica — Director of Agricultural Marketing in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Sandor Pike, has made a call for “large-scale investment” to be pumped into the small ruminant sub-sector to increase herd sizes.

Speaking at the general meeting of the Small Ruminant Association at Bodles in St Catherine on November 17, he said the expansion was necessary for food security, job creation and rural development.

According to a press release from the ministry, data indicates that Jamaica produces 480,000 goats and sheep compared to the annual local consumption demand of three million heads of goats and sheep.

On the other hand, the ministry said import of meat, dairy products, fish and fish products and grains for animal feed constitute nearly 50 per cent of Jamaica’s food import bill.

“In addition to the continued research and development support and improved access to more affordable inputs, I would like to suggest that partnerships will play a very important role,” said Pike, who delivered the address on behalf of acting permanent secretary Reginald Budhan.

Pike commended the European Union, Food and Agriculture Organizations of the United Nations, CARDI, the Jamaica 4-H Clubs, and local feed distributors for their contribution to efforts to expand the sector while explaining that partnerships were important to growth.

He also pointed out that Government’s role is to provide an enabling environment. He said the ministry has been undertaking a programme of expansion to include improving the genetics of the small ruminants’ population to make the animals more productive, using artificial insemination and embryo transfer.

Additionally, a revolving scheme has been established to provide goats and sheep to farmers and the agricultural schools to develop the production of small ruminants as part of the Diversification of the Caribbean Livestock Sector through the Production of Small Ruminants project.

Formerly known as the Goat and Sheep Farmers Association, the Small Ruminants Association of Jamaica represents not just goat and sheep farmers, but also rabbit and deer farmers.