KINGSTON, Jamaica – The Government is investing $1.2 billion in the development of infrastructure and facilities to boost agricultural activities in rural communities across the island.

The work will be undertaken under the Rural Economic Development Initiative II, which aims to enhance access to markets and climate-resilient approaches for targeted beneficiaries in the tourism and agricultural sectors.

As stated in the 2024/25 Estimates of Expenditure, activities under the project for the new fiscal year will include the provision of drip-irrigation facilities to farmers in Amity Hall, St Catherine and the Ebony Park Agro Cooperative Society in Clarendon; and commence greenhouse construction in Water Valley and Blackstoneage, St Ann; Watermount and Ewarton, St Catherine; Mocho, Clarendon; and Harmons Valley and Mile Gully in Manchester.

The funds will also be used to complete the rehabilitation of the Hanover Bee Bottling Facility; facilitate the development of a tilapia fish hatchery; and construct cold storage facilities in Colleyville, at Windalco Kirkvine and for the St Elizabeth Agricultural Development Organisation Benevolent Society.

Other targets for the fiscal year include commencing and completing irrigation infrastructure at the Ebony Park Agro Park in Clarendon; facilitating the construction of cabins at Holywell, St Andrew, to support the Jamaica Conservation Development Trust; providing agricultural inputs to women and the youth; and procuring and installing equipment for the All-Island Banana Growers Association.

Up to December 2023, income-generating small grants were provided to 2,723 farmers, including women and youth, and 413 fisherfolk; 698 beneficiaries received agronomic support through Coffee Traders Limited in the form of training and inputs; and business development facilitators were engaged to prepare business plans.

In addition, a photovoltaic (PV) solar system was installed at the Plumwood pumping station in Manchester; rehabilitation of the St Mary multipurpose cold storage and PV system was undertaken; and climate-resilient integrated disaster risk reduction training content was developed, inclusive of the training curriculum.

The Rural Economic Development Initiative II Project is slated to run until September 2025 and is being implemented by the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF), with funding from the Government of Jamaica and the Integrated Bank for Reconstruction and Development.

-JIS