hunger free latin america and the caribbean initiative- jamaica
DESCRIPTION
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. JamTRANSCRIPT
HUNGER FREE LATIN AMERICA AND THE HUNGER FREE LATIN AMERICA AND THE
CARIBBEAN CARIBBEAN INITIATIVE INITIATIVE
VII METTING OF THE 2025 WORKING GROUP, GUATEMALA CITY, 21 AND 22
NOVEMBER 2013
JAMAICA
NATIONAL EXPERIENCES IN FAMILY AGRICULTURE
Jamaica’s Experience
BACKGROUNDBACKGROUND 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%).
BACKGROUND cont’dBACKGROUND cont’dJamaica’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.
BACKGROUND cont’dBACKGROUND cont’dNon-traditional crops such
vegetables, products from aquaculture and fisheries and root crops have seen increases in the value of exports over the years
Major Challenges 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
Jamaica’s Progress towards Jamaica’s Progress towards MDG 1 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.
NATIONAL EXPERIENCENATIONAL EXPERIENCEIn 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
NATIONAL EXPERIENCENATIONAL EXPERIENCELinkages with key stakeholders
(Tourism hoteliers, supermarket chain) eg. Farmers Markets
Eat Jamaica CampaignBackyard Gardening ProgrammeSchool Gardening ProgrammesDevelopement of the School
Feeding Policy
NATIONAL EXPERIENCENATIONAL EXPERIENCEEstablishment 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:
NATIONAL EXPERIENCENATIONAL EXPERIENCE
Import Reduction StrategyAgro Parks – Govt flagship project,
and it represents an integrated system involving all critical infrastructure for
• Production• Marketing and • Distribution
NATIONAL EXPERIENCENATIONAL EXPERIENCEThe Agro Parks represents
(Public Private Partnership) with Government and private investors
Provision of land at concessionary rate
100 acres of land for young farmers
NATIONAL EXPERIENCENATIONAL EXPERIENCE
Onion and Irish Potato Program – 80% self sufficient
Storage CapacityConcessionary LoansProvision of Seeds
NATIONAL EXPERIENCENATIONAL EXPERIENCE
Sorghum ProductionThrough 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
Strategic Alliances with Strategic Alliances with the FAO 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
Strategic Alliances with Strategic Alliances with the FAO 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)
Strategic Alliances with Strategic Alliances with FAOFAOThe 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
JAMAICA’S COMMITMENT JAMAICA’S COMMITMENT CONT’DCONT’DKey players in the process of strengthening
and implementing food security as a political priority (MULTISECTORAL):
◦ 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
Preparation of FNS Action Preparation of FNS Action PlanPlanFAO 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,
Preparation of FNS Action Preparation of FNS Action Plan cont’dPlan cont’dThe 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
Status of FNS Action PlanStatus of FNS Action PlanThe 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
Governments Governments Commitment 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.
GOING FORWARD: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
GOING FORWARDGOING FORWARDReducing our dependence on
imported foods and
Increasing local productivity
Thank You