The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries will distribute 25 small ruminant chafing machines in a bid to enhance the development of alternate feeding for small ruminants.

The announcement was made by Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries Pearnel Charles Jr during his 2023/24 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives last Tuesday.

In addition, the minister said his ministry was in the process of importing two industrial feed pelletizers to enhance ration formulation for small ruminants and cattle.

The announcements are in light of the high cost of feed as an input which Charles Jr said is high priority for his team as the ministry moves towards its long-term vision of sufficiency.

The Small Ruminant Development Programme is a critical initiative to drive the rapid multiplication of small ruminants through artificial insemination, embryo transfer and other research and development techniques.

According to the minister, interventions for the small ruminant’s industry and broiler production were undertaken during the 2022/2023 period at the total value of $80 million.

“Most recently, you would have seen that we imported some of the 200 small ruminants taken from the US to help improve our local herds here in Jamaica. Fifty of these animals arrived last month during farmers’ month,” Charles Jr shared.

“The importation of these animals and proper breeding management is critical for maintaining production and sustaining the industry,” he added.

Noting the challenges that some farmers face, the agriculture minister also announced that six youth farmers who have been victims of praedial larceny will receive goats under the Small Ruminants Development Programme.

“We appreciate the great loss that some of our farmers have faced and we can’t do everything for all, but I announce that we’re going to be selecting six of our youth farmers who have experienced loss and those six farmers will be supported by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries who will provide goats from our programmes to get them back on track,” Charles Jr said.

The farmers will be presented with their goats at the 4H Achievement Day on May 12.