KINGSTON, Jamaica–Approximately $650 million will be spent in the new fiscal year for the continued development of infrastructure and facilities to boost agricultural and tourism activities in rural communities across the island.

The initiatives will be undertaken under the Rural Economic Development Initiative (REDI) 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 2025/26 Estimates of Expenditure, tabled recently in the House of Representatives, activities under the project for the new fiscal year will include the continued provision of agricultural inputs to women and youth as well as the procurement and installation of equipment for the All-Island Banana Growers Association and Red Ridge Bank Community Benevolent Society.

The funds will also be used to complete the redevelopment of a tilapia fish hatchery as well as complete the construction of a cold storage facility at Windalco, Kirkvine.

Other targets for the 2025/26 fiscal year include commencing and completing greenhouse nursery construction in Watermount; providing drip-irrigation facilities to farmers involved in the Amity Hall Farmers’ Cooperative and the Ebony Park Agro Cooperative Society, and providing relief support for persons affected by Hurricane Beryl.

Up to December 2024, 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. The Hanover Bee Bottling Facility was also expanded and equipped.

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.

A coffee marketing strategy was also developed and a market demand study for community tourism was conducted.

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 International Bank for Reconstruction and Development.

Meanwhile, $215.8 million has been earmarked in the 2025/26 Estimates of Expenditure to complete integrated infrastructure projects in Norwood, Salt Spring and Anchovy in St James and conduct project close-out audit.

The works will be undertaken through the Integrated Community Development Project II, which aims to enhance access to basic urban infrastructure and services and contribute towards increased community safety in selected economically vulnerable and socially volatile communities in Jamaica.

-JIS