The SAC Project strengthens Jamaica’s yam sector resilience through the Sweet Yam Pilot, enhancing planting material production. It is a five-year initiative worth Can$20 million across five Caribbean countries, prioritizing sustainable practices and farmer engagement. A potential six-month extension aims to solidify market resilience post-project.
The Sustainable Agriculture in the Caribbean (SAC) Project focuses on strengthening the resilience of Jamaica’s yam production sector. It includes the Sweet Yam Pilot Project, which aims to enhance Jamaica’s capacity for producing reliable planting material for yam farmers. Deputy Project Director Munish Persaud expressed the project’s commitment to engaging as many farmers as possible in this initiative.
Persaud, who also serves as Advisor on Agriculture and Capacity Building with WUSC Caribbean, noted that the five-year SAC project is valued at Can$20 million and spans five countries: Jamaica, Suriname, Guyana, St. Lucia, and Dominica. To ensure the project’s lasting impact, there are plans to potentially extend it by six months, focusing on the resilience of market systems.
Given the region’s vulnerability to climate change and natural hazards, maintaining the yam sector’s resilience is critical. One of the project’s goals is to sustain progress even after its conclusion. Persaud emphasized the importance of creating resilient systems that can weather challenges without losing prior gains.
He highlighted cooperation as a key success factor, noting that building a coalition of stakeholders is essential for system resilience. Additionally, the SAC project employs a multi-stakeholder approach to tackle difficulties faced by farmers, ensuring that all producers, regardless of gender or age, have a voice in the process.
The Sweet Yam Pilot specifically seeks to improve sweet yam production through innovative strategies, ensuring farmers have year-round access to disease-free, high-quality planting materials by utilizing the Integrated Market Systems (IMS) approach. The initiative receives financial support from Global Affairs Canada, indicating strong international collaboration.
The SAC Project is a pivotal initiative aimed at reinforcing Jamaica’s yam production sector by enhancing resilience against climate change and market challenges. By engaging farmers, promoting collaboration, and focusing on sustainable practices, the project seeks to ensure benefits continue beyond its lifetime. Funding from Global Affairs Canada underscores the importance of this initiative in the region’s agricultural landscape.
Original Source: jis.gov.jm
