The document discusses the impacts of climate change on Jamaica's agricultural sector and the mitigation measures implemented by the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries. Climate change is causing more extreme weather like droughts and hurricanes, along with rising sea levels, increased pests and diseases. This has resulted in crop losses and damage costing over $7.6 billion. The Ministry is working to increase climate awareness, promote climate-smart farming techniques, and help farmers plant more resilient crops to boost food security and livelihoods. Key programs support drought mitigation, irrigation systems, and training over 2,300 farmers in soil conservation.

1. CLIMATE CHANGE AND
THE AGRICULTURAL
SECTOR
Presented by: Mr. Shaun Baugh, Principal Director
Planning and Policy Division, MICAF

2. Overview
 What is climate change?
 Climatic related factors affecting Jamaica’s
Agricultural Sector
 Mitigation measures implemented by the
Ministry to combat the impact of climate
change

3. Quote
 “Some may still deny the overwhelming
judgment of science, but none can avoid the
devastating impact of raging fires and
crippling drought and more powerful
storms”
Barack Obama

4. What is Climate Change?
 According to the United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change
(UNFCCC),climate change refers to a change of
climate that is attributed directly or indirectly to
human activity that alters the composition of the
global atmosphere and that is in addition to
natural climate variability observed over
comparable time periods

5. Challenges facing Jamaica’s
Agricultural Sector
 The agricultural sector is affected by several
factors due to the impact of climate change.
These include:
 Sea Level Rise – which will lead to saline
intrusion
 Increase in the frequency of extreme weather
such as drought, storms and floods
 Increases in pest and diseases
 Reduced and zero yield in certain crops
 Hurricanes
 Negative impact on Fisheries Sector

6. Increase in Frequency of Extreme
Weather Conditions
 Following Hurricane Gilbert in 1988, Jamaica
was not affected by a major storm or hurricane
until Hurricane Ivan in 2004.
 Between 2004 and 2012, Jamaica has been
affected by 9 different Tropical
storms/Hurricanes and the total value of loss
to the agricultural sector was approximately
$7.6 billion (RADA).

7. Increase in Frequency of Extreme
Weather Conditions
 Losses/Damages due to Hurricane/Tropical
Storm (RADA):

8. Increase in Frequency of Extreme
Weather Conditions

9. Increase in Frequency of Extreme
Weather Conditions
Drought
 Between 2013 and 2015, Jamaica has been
plagued by extended periods of drought and
this has had negative impacts on crops and
livestock.

10. Increase in Frequency of Extreme
Weather Conditions
 The Effect of Drought Conditions on
Agricultural Production in Jamaica (2013)
 Source: RADA

11. Pests and Diseases
 Climate change has caused a rise in pests and
diseases in recent times. Major climate related
pests and diseases affecting crop production
include the following:
 Beet Army Worm (BAW):During the period 2009-
2012, losses of over $140 million in onion and
scallion fields were recorded
 Coffee Leaf Rust
 Taro Leaf Hopper (Dasheen)

12. Pests and Diseases

13. Pests and Diseases
 Coffee Leaf Rust

14. Mitigation Measures Implemented
by MICAF
 The Ministry of Industry,
Commerce, Agriculture &
Fisheries (MICAF) has
implemented and/or manage
several programmes to mitigate
against the impact of Climate
Change on the agricultural sector.

15. Mitigation Measures Implemented
by MICAF
Objective of Mitigation Measures:
• Sensitize and train stakeholders in climate
awareness, coping methods and resilience.
• Introduce climate smart farming methods and soil
erosion control techniques in order to increase
agricultural productivity and improve food security.
• Training farmers and other stakeholders in efficient
water management and land husbandry practices.
• Encouraging farmers to plant Climate-tolerant
crops eg. cassava, pineapple, sweet potato.

16. Climate Change Related
Partners
 ACDI VOCA - Ja REEACH
 The Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN
(FAO)
 Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on
Agriculture – IICA
 The European Union
 Adaptation Fund
 CARICOM
 The UNDP
 Climate Change Division

17. Mitigation Measures Implemented
by MICAF
 These include the following:
 Jamaica Rural Economy and Ecosystems
Adapting to Climate change (Ja REEACH I)
 GOJ Adaptation Fund (Component 2)
 Drought Mitigation Programme
 Pilot Programme for Climate Resilience (PPCR)

18. Mitigation Measures Implemented
by MICAF
The GOJ Initiatives have produced the following:
 Over $70 m provided in productivity grants
 2300 farmers trained in better soil conservation
methods
 Over $1B income generated by farmers from crops
harvested
 Training of RADA Extension Officers in Land
Husbandry Farmer Field School Methodology
 Establishment of over107 climate smart gravity drip
irrigation systems installed
 Capacity building for farmers in relation to Climate
Smart Agriculture.
 Climate Change mainstreamed into the operations of
MICAF

19. Mitigation Measures Implemented
by MICAF
 Gravity Drip Irrigation system

20. The Way Forward
 Continue to Build on the Success in Climate
Awareness
 Promotion of Climate Smart Agriculture
 Continued Strategic partnerships
 Climate Prove Agricultural Development Plan
 Continued training of Farmers and
Stakeholders
 Promotion of Innovation which address the
various resilience realties of Climate Change
 Promotion of Climate Smart Agriculture

21. The END
Q&A