JAMAICA cannot afford to be out of step with the Caricom Agri-Food Systems Agenda aimed at addressing the region’s food security challenges and rising food prices and to achieve the 25 by 2025 Vision — the reduction of the food import bill by 25 per cent by 2025.

Vision 25 per cent by 2025 is long-term social and economic partnership between member states, the regional private sector (Caricom Private Sector Organization, CPSO), regional organisations, producer groups, development partners and civil society which outlines actions and critical areas of intervention to tackle the region’s rising food import bill, improve intra-regional trade, and create wealth and economic opportunity for every Caricom member state.

The Special Ministerial Taskforce on Food Production and Food Security (MTF) guides the implementation of Vision 25 by 2025. The MTF is made up of ministers of agriculture from throughout the region who meet monthly to provide guidance on the transformation of the agri-food system, to one that is resilient, provides attractive and sustainable wealth creation opportunities for potential investors, and guarantees food and nutrition security for the member states.

A 25 per cent reduction in outside food imports means an automatic 25 per cent increase in food production, and the push for an increase in agricultural output has been strongly advocated by the Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett, as reported in Jamaica Observer on April 24.

Bartlet emphasised the necessity to scale up agricultural production to meet the burgeoning demand from the tourism sector, which expects visitor arrivals to surge from four million to five million annually.

Meanwhile, Agriculture Minister Floyd Green highlighted a 10 per cent increase in agricultural production for the quarter ending March 31, 2024, at a post-Cabinet press conference held on March 24.

Despite this growth, the increase pales in comparison to the needs expressed by the tourism sector, and even more so against the regional goal of a 25 per cent reduction in the food import bill for Caricom countries by 2025 — a target Jamaica is struggling with, especially given recent policy decisions such as the removal of GCT on imported foodstuffs and the expansion of import licenses approved by the minister of finance.

In 2022, Caricom countries convened to formulate a strategy to significantly enhance agricultural productivity, with Guyana and Belize identified as primary locations for crop cultivation and livestock farming. Meanwhile, Barbados and Trinidad are set to focus on the value-added aspects of this initiative.

This regional plan also aims to improve transportation across the Eastern Caribbean to support these efforts. Despite the collaborative regional framework, Jamaica’s role was notably minimal, with former Minister Pearnel Charles displaying little involvement in these strategic meetings and Minister Floyd Green showing limited interest in the Caricom food security initiative.

This disengagement comes at a time when the Caribbean’s food import bill exceeds US$6 billion, with Jamaica’s portion alone amounting to over US$1.5 billion — figures that underscore the critical need for revitalised leadership and innovative policies to steer Jamaica’s agricultural sector towards sustainable growth.

Historical trends in governmental budgetary allocations reveal a stark decline in funding for agriculture in Jamaica. Prior to the 1960s, at least 12 per cent of the colonial government’s budget was dedicated to agriculture, significantly more than recent figures which show less than one per cent allocated over the last decade.

However, an exception was noted in the financial year 2025 when the budget for agriculture rose to 1.4 per cent, totalling approximately $4 billion aimed at capital development.

Addressing Agricultural Challenges and Opportunities

The lacklustre leadership and vision within Jamaica’s agricultural sector have raised concerns about its ability to effectively respond to both domestic needs and regional commitments.

For instance, orchard crops are reportedly at their lowest levels in over 150 years, signalling a critical need for government intervention through substantial subsidies and cash grants to stimulate recovery.

Similarly, taxation policies, currently perceived more as a burden than a benefit to farmers, need restructuring. These should aim to incentivise production across various subsectors including livestock, poultry, and fisheries. Notably, the Government’s current taxation on table eggs and other agricultural inputs counteracts productivity goals, which calls for an urgent removal of GCT from these essentials.

Furthermore, only 10 per cent of Jamaica’s arable land is equipped with irrigation systems, a figure that the Ministry of Agriculture, under the guidance of the National Irrigation Commission and through public-private partnerships, aims to increase to 50 per cent over the next 15 years.

Enhancing Sectoral Investment

Despite the clear need for more robust agricultural infrastructure, investment in this sector remains critically low compared to others within the economy.

In 2022, agricultural loans totalled only J$146 million, largely due to a lack of available funds. This underfunding highlights the necessity for a dedicated agricultural fund, as advocated by the Jamaica Agricultural Society.

Such a fund would consolidate all agricultural cess into a single entity, directly benefiting farmers rather than covering governmental expenses.

On the matter of security, praedial larceny continues to undermine farm productivity, necessitating stronger legislative measures and enhanced police preparedness to combat this issue. The promised deployment of agricultural wardens would provide much-needed support to law enforcement efforts in protecting farmers’ livelihoods.

Collaborative Efforts for Sustainable Growth

The potential for meaningful growth in Jamaica’s agricultural sector is immense, provided there is a concerted effort to realign policies with both national and regional goals.

The minister of tourism’s interest in using the Tourism Enhancement Fund to support irrigation expansion is a step in the right direction, as it would address one of the most critical needs of farmers — adequate water supply to sustain and increase agricultural production.

Moreover, discussions initiated by Minister Bartlett with his counterparts in agriculture, finance, and the prime minister’s office could lead to more significant capital injections into the sector, ensuring it remains viable and competitive.

Such collaborative efforts are essential for Jamaica to not only meet the increasing food demands of its tourism industry but also to play a pivotal role in the Caricom region’s push towards food security and economic stability.

Conclusion and Future Directions

As Jamaica confronts the challenges of a changing agricultural landscape, the direction in which its leadership steers the sector will be pivotal. With global food security concerns on the rise and the Caricom region’s collective push for agricultural self-sufficiency, Jamaica cannot afford to sideline itself from key initiatives or policy shifts that favour agricultural development.

The establishment of comprehensive reforms such as land reform, where serious investors receive lands at peppercorn rates, and the reduction of exorbitant rental rates currently burdening farmers, are crucial.

Such measures would not only empower local farmers but also attract much-needed investment into the sector. Moreover, the integration of modern agricultural technologies and sustainable farming practices must be accelerated to ensure the sector’s competitiveness and resilience.

This includes expanding irrigation systems, enhancing crop and livestock production through genetic and resource management, and improving market access for farmers through better logistics and infrastructure.

Additionally, a unified approach across government ministries and departments, aligning with private sector goals and community needs, will be essential to forge a resilient agricultural framework capable of withstanding economic pressures and climatic challenges.

As Jamaica moves forward, the focus must also be on nurturing a culture of innovation within agriculture.

This involves supporting research and development, fostering a startup ecosystem focused on agricultural technology, and implementing educational programs to train the next generation of farmers and agricultural scientists.

Only through a comprehensive and forward-thinking approach can Jamaica hope to revive its agricultural sector and secure a sustainable, prosperous future for its farmers and the national economy.

Lenworth Fulton is the president of the Jamaica Agriculture Society. He has also led the Rural Agricultural Development Authority and the 4H Clubs in the past.