KINGSTON, Jamaica—The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining has reaffirmed its commitment to tackling praedial larceny through strengthened enforcement and the expansion of traceability tools across the agricultural sector.

Speaking at a JIS Think Tank on January 14, acting director of the Praedial Larceny Prevention Coordination Branch, Kalecia Hall, underscored the importance of strategic coordination in safeguarding farmers and ensuring accountability throughout the value chain.

Hall said that the Praedial Larceny Prevention Coordination Unit, established in 2015, was created to strengthen strategic coordination in the fight against the scourge.

Now operating as a branch, the unit continues to focus on five key areas –enforcement, public education, institutional arrangements, traceability, and legislative reform.

She pointed out that significant legislative reforms have been undertaken, including amendments to the Agricultural Produce Act in 2023, which increased fines for offences from as low as $200 to as high as $3 million.

The dealer’s registration process has also been made mandatory and is being managed by the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA).

Additionally, consequential amendments were made to several pieces of legislation, including the Malicious Injuries to Property Act, the Lawful Possession of Property Act, the Country Fires Act, and the Trespass Act.

Hall explained that institutional arrangements have been strengthened through ongoing stakeholder consultations, which include consistent monitoring and partnerships with the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), Veterinary Services Division (VSD), the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS), among others.

These entities play a critical role in the implementation of traceability tools, including farmer registration, cattle passports and tags, and receipt books, which are all aligned with enforcement efforts.

Hall pointed out that enforcement has been significantly bolstered with the establishment of the Agricultural Protection Division within the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) two years ago.

There has been a notable increase in arrests and convictions, reflecting the impact of coordinated enforcement and traceability measures.

Encouraging buy-in by farmers, she said that the traceability tools serve as the basis for differentiating legitimate actors from those engaged in illegal activities.

“The traceability systems are designed not only to monitor farmers but also to hold intermediaries and end users accountable,” she said, noting that enforcement often uncovers illegitimate actors through spot checks and inspections rather than formal reports.

She urged all stakeholders to ensure compliance with registration requirements and to utilise the systems as intended.

As part of its ongoing efforts, the Praedial Larceny Prevention Coordination Branch, in collaboration with its partners, will host a series of farmer sensitisation sessions to deepen awareness and strengthen compliance.

—JIS