KINGSTON, Jamaica – Olando Clayton, who hails from Stony Hill in St Andrew, embarked on his first-ever flight last Friday.

He was among the 12 first-time farm workers who departed Jamaica for Canada under the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Programme (SAWP) for the 2025 season.

“Mi kinda nervous, but mi happy,” he told JIS News in an interview before his departure from the Ministry of Labour and Social Security’s Overseas Employment Centre in Kingston.

“When I did the medical and stuff, I said, well this will be my chance of leaving the island and trying to do something different,” he added.

Clayton described himself as an all-rounder who engages in multiple trades to earn an income.

He is a construction worker, coconut and banana farmer and offers upholstery cleaning services.

Clayton shared that he was experiencing financial difficulties when he heard about the programme and decided to apply.

He is keen on learning new agricultural practices which may be beneficial to his farm in years to come.

Clayton told JIS News that he has big plans for his return, including building a house.

“I’m coming back to help my people. I can help some people in my community to do the same – encourage young farmers or young people to take part in this programme because it’s very helpful,” he said.

For nearly six decades, Jamaica and Canada have maintained a beneficial partnership through the SAWP.

The collaboration drives agricultural productivity in Canada, while creating valuable employment opportunities for Jamaicans.

“I really appreciate the opportunity that I get to change my life and make better things happen,” Clayton told JIS News.

– JIS