Jamaica’s Agriculture Minister, Floyd Green, is advocating for increased animal feed production to strengthen food security after recent agricultural losses. He is proposing public/private sector partnerships to reduce import reliance and costs. Reports show that Jamaica spent $11.19 million on animal feed imports in 2023, highlighting the necessity for enhanced local production capabilities.
In the wake of Hurricane Beryl in 2024, Jamaica’s agriculture sector is preparing to enhance its resilience by bolstering animal feed production. Agriculture Minister Floyd Green emphasizes the urgency of this initiative to mitigate reliance on imported animal feed, which undermines the nation’s food security.
Green advocates for establishing public/private sector partnerships aimed at improving local food production capabilities. This strategy is expected to lower the costs associated with importing animal feed, thus fortifying the nation’s agricultural foundation.
Recent reports indicate that Jamaica imported $11.19 million worth of animal feed preparations from the United States in 2023. Additionally, the Statistical Institute of Jamaica noted that total import expenditure reached approximately $4.44 billion during the first half of the year, underscoring the need for local production.
Green highlighted the challenges faced in 2022 due to feed shortages that adversely affected the pig and poultry industries, leading to livestock losses and diminished meat supplies. These events have heightened the urgency for sustainable agricultural solutions.
Jamaica is striving to enhance its food security by increasing local animal feed production, greatly influenced by recent climate events such as Hurricane Beryl. By fostering public/private partnerships, the goal is to reduce import dependency, lower costs, and bolster the agricultural sector, thus mitigating previous shortages that impacted livestock supplies. Sustained efforts may lead to a more resilient food system in Jamaica.
Original Source: www.stabroeknews.com
