KINGSTON, Jamaica – Phase two of the agricultural research facilities rehabilitation will continue in fiscal year 2025/26 with a $999.4-million allocation from the Government.

The work is being executed under the Rehabilitation of Research Centres Project, which was launched by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining in April 2024.

The programmed provision is contained in the 2025/26 Estimates of Expenditure, which was tabled in the House of Representatives on February 13 by Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Fayval Williams.

Work under the project is intended to empower the agricultural research hubs to function as centres of excellence, in fulfilment of the Government’s mandate of contributing to economic growth and development.

The programmed engagements target the infrastructure at North and South Bodles in St Catherine, and four outstations – Top Mountain Station in St Andrew, Orange River Station in St Mary, Hounslow Station in St Elizabeth and the Montpelier Station in St James.

Up to December 2024, the installation of modular office space for the project unit had been completed and seven irrigation travellers procured for Bodles.

Additionally, the construction of a cattle race at Bodles and the renovation of human resources and accounts offices were at 65 and 63 per cent completion, respectively.

Further, the upgrade of irrigation systems at Bodles was 25 per cent complete, while construction of a piggery was 37 per cent done.

Among the 2025/26 targets are continuation of the new piggery’s construction, commenced construction of a perimeter wall at South Bodles, and the building of dairy workers’ houses.

It is also anticipated that rehabilitation of irrigation systems at Central, North and South Bodles will commence as also the renovation of a small ruminant house, the construction of the infrastructure works for a livestock complex and the upgrade of the storage area at the stock yard and wash bay, and fencing of 330 pastures in Montpelier.

Other scheduled activities include the installation of a herd management system; streetlights, poles, bulbs and electrical wires; and an irrigation system for a 15-acre pasture and the establishment of 15 acres of crop in Montpelier.

The project is slated for completion by March 2030 at an estimated overall cost of $6.3 billion.

– JIS

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