Prime Minister Andrew Holness has sent a clear and unequivocal message that Jamaica must, having achieved economic stability, pivot to growth.

As we seek to build sustainable prosperity for our people, it is increasingly clear that agriculture, fisheries, and mining hold the key to unlocking the nation’s full growth potential. These sectors provide significant opportunities for economic diversification and are also essential in any drive for sustained poverty reduction in rural Jamaica. As we set out on a new and pivotal year in our country’s history, I believe it is important to document for posterity the vision and actions being taken to pivot agriculture, fisheries, and mining as we curate a new Jamaica.

The first few articles will focus on agriculture and fisheries, especially given the fundamental climate challenges we face and the undeniable truth that for Jamaica to take its rightful place on the regional and international stage, we must first be food secure.

Research and development is critical to a nation that is serious about feeding itself. Despite our world-renowned scientists and many research institutions, the percentage contribution to gross domestic product (GDP) for research has remained below 0.5 per cent for decades. We are changing this reality.

We have started to take deliberate action to resuscitate our research and development facilities through a Research Centre Rehabilitation Programme, spending over $1.5 billion over the past five years. We have now embarked on a $6.4-billion investment over the next six years.

Already, the new Bodles is taking shape with the installation of modular office spaces, a new milk testing laboratory, a new small ruminant house, rehabilitation of the well, the installation of water storage capacity, and new distribution systems to serve the entire facility. Additionally, for this financial year, we have started construction on a $443-million state-of-the-art piggery facility to provide Bodles with the capacity needed to further drive our pork industry as we expand into regional markets. We are also designing a state-of-the-art small ruminant house at the Hounslow Demonstration Station. The vision is for Bodles to return to its former glory as the premier institution for tropical agriculture research.

This will be supported by transforming our research centres into centres of excellence focused on specific areas:

•Hounslow – small ruminant research

•Montpelier – Jamaica Black, along with ginger and turmeric

•Orange River – Cocoa and fruit trees

•Top Mountain – Strawberries and exotic fruits These upgrades ensure that we can guide our farmers in this changing environment. This year, we will evaluate yield enhancers and biostimulants to produce ginger outside the traditional growing period. We will assess the impact of climate change on beekeeping (population and productivity), formulate a local broad-spectrum bio-pesticide for use on vegetable crops, and develop a forecasting system for purple blotch disease on onions.

It is through initiatives like these that small farmers in Kellits, Yallahs, Flagaman, and Gayle will achieve better outcomes from their agricultural enterprises.

Seeds

As part of our Bodles redevelopment and in keeping with our drive for food security, we are establishing a sustainable seed system to ensure a consistent and reliable supply of clean, affordable, and accessible seeds to support agricultural production.

More than a seed bank, we are establishing a Seed Technology Center that will not only serve as a repository for our local gene and germplasm pool but also operate as a cutting-edge seed processing facility aimed at optimising the swift extraction, treatment, and drying of seeds for our farmers.

Under the Pilot Programme for Climate Resilience (PPCR), managed by the Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI) and implemented by The University of the West Indies (UWI), we secured a state-of-the-art, high-volume commercial seed dryer. This investment significantly enhances our capacity for rapid multiplication strategies and expedites seed-drying processes.

Additionally, through partnership with JSIF, the Seed Technology Center will be upgraded with cold storage capacity to support the proliferation of a wide array of seeds, including irish potato. A seed steriliser will also be acquired this year to assist the Plant Quarantine and Inspection Branch (PQPI) in controlling seed imports and reducing or eliminating the introduction of seed-borne pests.

To address farmers’ concerns about seed quality, we are beginning the process of establishing a Seed and Nursery Certification Unit, which will regulate the seed and nursery sector to ensure that seeds in the market meet requisite standards. With FAO support, we are developing the necessary seed regulations to guide the industry.

Soil

Ninety-five per cent of our food still depends on soil. Yet, for years, soil health has been treated as an afterthought. We are putting an end to this.

Through initiatives like the Soil Fertility Mapping Project in Essex Valley, we are prioritising soil health. Over 1,000 soil samples have been collected and crop trials are laying the groundwork for a data-driven approach to soil management.

We are partnering with The UWI to create tools for farmers to improve productivity, including digital soil mapping and tools to measure soil organic carbon stocks. We are also training our extension services in these tools, including the Climate Smart Agriculture Compliance tool, to help guide farmers towards the right nutrition regime for greater yields and returns.

Healthy soil is about growing better food and protecting our planet. That’s why we’re working with the Jamaica Organic Agriculture Movement (JOAM) on a $35-million initiative to restore soil health and promote sustainable practices. This includes training 300 people across Jamaica in soil and water management and turning organic waste into valuable compost.

We Need You

As we strengthen our research capabilities and revitalise our research stations, it is crucial that we place the brightest minds at the forefront of agricultural research. This is why we are seeking to partner with the private sector to expand our scholarship offerings. The top agricultural science students from every secondary institution should have a clear, unhindered, and sponsored pathway into the agricultural field.

These initiatives will not only empower our farmers but also position Jamaica as a leader in food security. As we build on this momentum, it is essential that we continue to invest in innovation and collaboration, ensuring a thriving agricultural industry that benefits all Jamaicans and supports our long-term economic growth. Now, more than ever, is the time to act.

Floyd Green is minister of agriculture, fisheries and mining