KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Government is moving to establish a Farmers’ Pension Scheme to benefit the country’s farmers, many of whom have no savings to sustain them in retirement.

Agriculture and Fisheries Minister Floyd Green made the announcement on Tuesday during his contribution to the Sectoral Debate at Gordon House.

He noted that, “A lot of farmers work hard and then when they decide to stop their farming they don’t have anything to fall back on. Unfortunately, some farmers keep going, even though they’re not so strong because they’re afraid that if they stop, they don’t have anything to fall back on.”

Addressing his fellow Members of Parliament, Green said, “Members, I’m pleased to announce that the Ministry of Agriculture has started the process of designing a Farmers’ Pension Scheme.”

“We will be advocating for $1 billion to seed that fund so that our farmers can put down a likkle thing, so just like any other profession, they can retire, cock up dem foot and have a pension,” Green said.