Jamaica’s Agriculture Minister Floyd Green is advocating for increased animal feed production to enhance food security following agricultural losses from Hurricane Beryl. The strategy includes fostering public/private partnerships to cut import costs. In 2023, Jamaica’s animal feed imports totaled $11.19 million, and feed shortages in 2022 had severely impacted the poultry and pig sectors.
In light of the recent Hurricane Beryl, Jamaica’s government is prioritizing agricultural resilience to prevent significant losses in the sector. Agriculture Minister Floyd Green has emphasized the necessity of enhancing animal feed production nationally. This initiative aims to bolster food security by minimizing reliance on imports related to food supply.
Green is advocating for the establishment of public/private sector partnerships to improve local food production and mitigate costs related to imported animal feed. In a recent report, it was highlighted that Jamaica imported $11.19 million worth of animal feed from the United States in 2023 alone.
The Statistical Institute of Jamaica (Statin) reported total import expenditures around $4.44 billion between January and July 2023. Minister Green also mentioned a significant feed shortage in 2022, which adversely affected the pig and poultry sectors, leading to livestock losses and diminished meat supply.
To address the urgent challenge posed by previous agricultural losses, Jamaica is focusing on improving animal feed production as a vital component of food security. Establishing partnerships between the public and private sectors will be crucial in reducing import dependence and supporting local agricultural resilience.
Original Source: www.stabroeknews.com
