KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries (MICAF) has committed to covering storage and slaughtering costs for 1000 pigs per month for the next three months to assist with storage issues being faced by local pig farmers due to the COVID-19 crisis.

The team from the ministry, led by State Minister Floyd Green, sat down with the Jamaica Pig Farmers Association President Annabel Williams and Secretary, Angella Bardowell on Wednesday, May 13.

“I am happy the farmers reached out to us here at the ministry, and that we could have dialogue to mitigate these issues. I am pleased that the Jamaica Pig Farmers Association has agreed to partner with us to do a registration drive to get more small pig farmers registered,” Green said.

During the meeting, the team from the ministry agreed that this drive would assist in positioning them to be better able to gather data from the sector. The drive is expected to begin in another two weeks.

According to the minister, the assistance to the farmers will be done through the association where they will be in charge of the selection process.

On Tuesday, the ministry said the minister met with Lydford Logistics in St Ann, one of the three entities that will be providing storage for pig farmers.