Presentación realizada en la VII Reunión del Grupo de Trabajo 2025 (GT2025) de la Iniciativa América Latina y Caribe sin Hambre, en Guatemala entre el 21 y 22 de noviembre.
http://www.rlc.fao.org/es/iniciativa/seguimiento/gt2025/vii-reunion-del-gt2025/
3. BACKGROUND
Agriculture/farming
in Jamaica is concentrated
to the rural areas of the country
It
is therefore the main source of income for
persons living in the rural areas
There
are approximately 228,000 farmers in
Jamaica currently, of which 151,929 operates
on farms of one (1) hectare or less (66.6%).
4. BACKGROUND cont’d
Jamaica’s
economic development has
been based primarily on agricultural
production particularly by traditional
export crops.
Traditional crops include: sugar cane,
bananas, coffee, coconuts, citrus,
pimento, cocoa.
These crops have seen a reduction in
exports over the years.
6. Major Challenges
Rising
Food Import Bill USD 959 million
(from USD 241m in 1994 to USD959m in
2012)
Increasing poverty (16.5 %) especially in
the rural areas.
High Cost of input (high production cost)
Low Agricultural Productivity
7. Jamaica’s Progress towards
MDG 1
Jamaica has made notable progress in poverty
reduction over 20 years. However, recent global
food, fuel and financial crises, and the high levels
of national debt threaten to escalate Jamaica's
economic difficulties and reverse the progress
made thus far.
8. NATIONAL EXPERIENCE
In
an effort to improve production in the
Agricultural Sector: ( improving livelihood
of Rural Communities and stemming
Rural Urban Drift) the Govt
Improvement in infrastructure such as;
◦ Farm roads and
◦ National Irrigation Development Project
9. NATIONAL EXPERIENCE
Linkages
with key stakeholders (Tourism
hoteliers, supermarket chain) eg. Farmers
Markets
Eat Jamaica Campaign
Backyard Gardening Programme
School Gardening Programmes
Developement of the School Feeding
Policy
10. NATIONAL EXPERIENCE
Establishment
of packaging houses to reduce
post harvest losses and to support increased
production
Building
of Houses for Farmers in the Sugar
Dependent areas under Barracks Relocation
Project:
11. NATIONAL EXPERIENCE
Import Reduction Strategy
Agro Parks – Govt flagship project, and it
represents an integrated system involving
all critical infrastructure for
• Production
• Marketing and
• Distribution
12. NATIONAL EXPERIENCE
The
Agro Parks represents (Public
Private Partnership) with Government
and private investors
Provision of land at concessionary rate
100 acres of land for young farmers
13. NATIONAL EXPERIENCE
Onion and Irish Potato Program –
80% self sufficient
Storage Capacity
Concessionary Loans
Provision of Seeds
14. NATIONAL EXPERIENCE
Sorghum Production
Through collaboration with the Jamaica
Broilers group limited 800 acres will be
made available for the production of
sorghum, thus reducing grain imports for
animal feed
15. Strategic Alliances with the FAO
Assistance
to Manage Citrus Greening in
Jamaica (Laboratory/ diagnostic upgrade,
training, disease free materials)
Strengthening
a National Beet Army
Worm Management Programme (IPM,
farmer field schools, pest forecasting & training)
Assistance
to the Dairy Industry in the
Formulation of a Five Year Strategic Plan
16. Strategic Alliances with the FAO
Increase
Production of Root and Tubers
Crops through the introduction of
marketing and production technologies
Strengthening
community preparedness
and resilience to natural disasters in
selected vulnerable areas in Jamaica
(development of ADRM plans, training & livelihood
assessment)
17. Strategic Alliances with FAO
The
FNS Policy was developed with
assistance from the FAO.
The
Policy was approved as a White
Paper on 1st May 2013 by the Cabinet ;
Then it was Tabled in the Houses of
Parliament on 8th May 2013 as a White
Paper
18. JAMAICA’S COMMITMENT CONT’D
Key
players in the process of strengthening and
implementing food security as a political priority
(MULTISECTORAL):
◦
◦
◦
◦
◦
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The Planning Institute of Jamaica
The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries
The Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce
The Ministry of Labour and Social Security
The Ministry of Education
The Ministry of Health
All supported by Parliament and Cabinet
19. Preparation of FNS Action Plan
FAO
supported the development of the National Food
and Nutrition Security Action Plan (NFNSAP) 2013 to
2022.
The
formulation of the NFNSAP was guided by the four
Technical Sub-committees and involved consultations
with relevant bodies/stakeholders at the national level.
The
participatory/consultative process was aimed at
creating a strong sense of ownership among all
stakeholders,
20. Preparation of FNS Action Plan
cont’d
The
process is in line with the Right to
Food provisions of the NFNSP which
promote widespread participation and
inclusiveness. (PANTHER)
The
NFNSAP focuses on actions that will
benefit all households with special
emphasis on small, poor producers,
youth, women and consumers
21. Status of FNS Action Plan
The
Draft Action Plan was validated at
the end of August 2013.
Over 50 stakeholders from a wide cross
section of participated in the workshop.
Comments have been incorporated in
the Draft Document.
The Action Plan will be submitted to
Cabinet for approval as a White Paper
22. Governments Commitment
The
Government has proposed to enact
the FOOD SECURITY LAW and this will
also ensure that institutions of the State
through their procurement programme
utilise minimum levels of locally produced
foods.
23. GOING FORWARD:
IMPROVEMENT IS REQUIRED IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS;
•
•
•
•
•
Research and Development
Marketing
Transportation infrastructure
ICT in Agriculture/Extension
Access to credit and other financial
services