JAMAICA

FAO

COUNTRY REPORT

1.0 Introduction To The Country And Its Agricultural Sector: Size: Jamaica has a total land area of 10991 Sq.Km. making it the third largest Caribbean Island. The

maximum length of the Island is 234.95 Km and the width varies from 35.4 – 82 Km.

Geographical Location

World Position:

Jamaica enjoys a favourable location in relation to the western world. As demonstrated in Figure

1, the total landmass of the Americas, most of Europe and much of North and West Africa lie

within a hemisphere centred on Jamaica, that is, within a 9 654 kilometres radius of the country.

This hemisphere represents the major portion of the world’s economic activity and markets,

although inhabited by less than half of the world’s population. Almost all of Jamaica’s cultural

and economic associations are with countries in this hemisphere. Western Europe is within 9

654 kilometres, while Eastern Canada and the United States are well within 3 218 kilometres. A

further advantage is provided because direct travel distance lines to those three areas are mostly

over water which is the cheapest form of commercial transportation. The increasing use and

improvement of aircraft make straight-line distance from Jamaica to other places in the world

very pertinent. The closest link with North America is Miami, some 965 kilometres to the north.

Such major cities as New York, Montreal, Toronto and Mexico City are from 2 414 kilometres to

3 218 kilometres flying distance; Rio de Janeiro in South America, Dakar in Africa and London

and Madrid in Europe are 6 436 kilometres to 8 045 kilometres distant; Tokyo, Cape Town and

New Delhi are 12 872 to 14 481 kilometres; Singapore and Sydney are 16 090 to 17 699

kilometres away.

Completion of the Panama Canal in 1912 enhanced Jamaica’s position both economically and

strategically. The Canal, located approximately 965 kilometres southwest of Jamaica, attracts

much worldwide ocean traffic; Jamaica lies in the centre of the Atlantic entrance to the Canal

and on the direct line of routes to and from it. Jamaica’s proximity to the Panama Canal gives it

strategic importance during wartime because the Canal could be defended using Jamaica as a

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base, and those countries deriving benefit from the Canal would find it in their own best interest

to safeguard the security of the island.

Jamaica’s favourable location with respect to other countries of the western world has great

economic significance. The rapid expansion of tourism, an important component of the

country’s economy, results in a large part from its proximity to the heavy population

concentrations of the eastern United States and Canada and from the fact that Jamaica is the

logical first stop on tours of several Caribbean islands. This proximity to North America also

facilitates trade activities, especially the export of foodstuffs and raw materials. Although the

distance to the United Kingdom and other European countries is considerably more than the

distance to the United States and Canada, it is still closer than many other Commonwealth

countries.

The favourable location of the country also makes it feasible for many Jamaicans to travel to

North America and Europe in order to take advantage of employment and educational

opportunities and generally become exposed to ways of life elsewhere. This cultural and

economic exchange is of great benefit to Jamaica in terms of increased skills, the new awareness

obtained and the savings sent home by Jamaicans employed overseas.

Regional Position:

Jamaica being a part of the Greater Antilles is located in the Northwestern section of the

Caribbean Archipelago between 76°11’ West, Longitude; Longitude 78°22’ West; Latitude

18°31’ North; Latitude 17°42’ North, at Morant Point, Negril Point, Lilly’s Rock and Portland

Point respectively.

Jamaica lies 2071.50 km South of the United States of America, 145 km South of Cuba and

160.9 km. to the west of Haiti.

Political Geography (Regions):

Jamaica is divided into three counties and these are further divided into fourteen parishes, each

with its Parish Capital. The counties are namely Surrey to the east, Middlesex the central county

and Cornwall to the west. Surrey has four parishes: Kingston, St. Andrew, St. Thomas and

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Portland. Middlesex has five parishes: St. Catherine, St. Mary, Clarendon, St. Ann and

Manchester. Cornwall has five parishes: St. Elizabeth, Trelawny, St. James, Hanover and

Westmoreland.

Table 1 gives the area of Jamaica by parish.

Table 1: Area, By Parish In Square Miles And Square Kilometres

Parish Capital Area in (sq. miles) Area in (sq. kilometres)

Jamaica

Kingston St. Andrew St. Thomas Portland St. Mary St. Ann Trelawny St. James Hanover Westmoreland St. Elizabeth Manchester Clarendon St. Catherine

Kingston

Kingston Half-Way-Tree Morant Bay Port Antonio Port Maria St. Ann’s Bay Falmouth Montego Bay Lucea Savannah-la-mar Black River Mandeville May Pen Spanish Town

4,243.6

8.4166.3286.8314.3235.7468.2337.7229.7173.9311.6468.1320.5461.9460.4

10,990.5

21.8430.7742.8814.0610.5

1,212.6874.6594.9450.4807.01,12.4830.1

1,196.31,192.4

Source: Survey Department Climate

Jamaica has a maritime tropical climate mainly distinguished by warm trade winds, which, in the

Caribbean generally blow from east to east-north-east. During the winter months, from

November to February, cold fronts coming from the North American continent affect Jamaica

with occasionally strong northerly winds and localized heavy rainfall, particularly in the northern

half of the island. Synoptic scale features produce most of the rainfall year round.

Islandwide, long term mean annual rainfall shows a bimodal pattern with primary maximum in

October and secondary in May, but this pattern varies significantly from year to year. March is,

in the mean, the driest month. Mean raindays vary from 60 to 200 but whereas places with lower

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numbers of rain-days receive low annual rainfall, high rain-day regions are not the wettest areas.

Most coastal areas receive less than 80 rain-days per year.

The National Meteorological Service in Jamaica maintains 24-hour communications with the

National and Regional Hurricane Centre in Florida, particularly during the official hurricane

season which is from June to November, thereby ensuring the timely dissemination of forecasts

and warnings.

Rainfall:

Islandwide, during 1951 to 1980, annual rainfall range from a maximum of 2,593 millimetres

(102.09 ins.) in 1963 to a minimum of 1,324 millimetres (52.12 ins) in 1976 with an average of

1,940 millimetres (76.38 ins.) annually. The long-term (1881-1990) mean annual rainfall was

1,895 millimetres (74.61 ins.). The wettest year on record was 1993 with an annual rainfall of

2,960 millimetres (116.54 ins.) while the driest year was 1920 with an annual rainfall 0f 1,299

millimetres (51.14 ins.). Some mountainous areas to the northeast receive more than 5,080

millimetres (35.00 ins.) annually.

Most parts of the island have 2 wet seasons, May to June and September to November and these

annual wet seasons occur as regular cycles. The majority of the rainfall during the May to June

period is as a result of the periodic march of solar radiation intensity, which peaks at that time.

Rainfall in September to November is more directly dependent on the lifting and movement of

the sub-tropical high pressure cell in the Atlantic Ocean. Such behaviour deepens the easterly

Trades to allow the development of instability zones; as such, a significant portion of the rainfall

during this period is produced by upper and lower level troughs, tropical waves, tropical

depressions, tropical storms and hurricanes.

The driest period is usually December to March. Most of the rainfall from November to March

is associated with cold fronts migrating from North America.

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Whether during the dry season or rainy season, however, other rainfall-producing systems are

influenced by the sea breeze and orographic effects, which tends to produce short-duration

showers, mainly during the mid-afternoon.

Temperature:

Apart from rapid temperature fluctuations associated with afternoon showers and or the passage

of frontal systems, the island’s temperature are fairly constant all the year round under the

moderating influence of warm waters of the Caribbean sea.

In coastal areas, daily temperatures average 26.2° Celsius (79.2° Fahrenheit). Inland,

temperature values are lower, depending on elevation, but irrespective of elevation, the warmest

months are June to August and the coolest, December to February.

The diurnal range of temperature is much greater than the annual range and exceeds 11.0°

Celsius (20° Fahrenheit in coastal areas. At elevations above 610 metres (2,000 feet), minimum

temperatures of the order of 10.0° Celsius (50.0° Fahrenheit) have been reported occasionally,

when very active cold fronts reach the island.

Wind:

For most of the year, the daily wind pattern is dominated by the northeast Trades. By day, on the

north coast, the sea breeze combines with the Trades to give an east-northeasterly wind at an

average speed of 27 kpm (15 knots) and along the south coast an east-southeasterly wind at an

average speed of 34 kpm (18 knots). In December to March, however, the Trades are weakest

and the local wind regime is a combination of Trades, sea breeze and a northerly or north-

westerly component associated with cold fronts and high pressure areas from the United States of

America.

By night, the Trades combine with land breezes which blow offshore down the slopes of the hills

near the coast. As a result, on the north coast, night time winds generally have a southerly

component with a mean speed of 10 kph (5 knots) and on the south coast, a northerly component

with a mean speed of 13 kph (7 knots). By day, from June to July mean onshore winds often

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reach maximum of up to 42 kph (23 knots) along the north coast and 48 kph (26 knots) along the

south coast during the mid-afternoon.

However, winds are generally lighter inland and towards the West. Calms, therefore, attain their

highest frequency in the western extremity of the island and in the two intervening periods

between the full development of the land and sea breezes.

Sunshine:

Variation of sunshine from month to month in any area are usually small, approximately one

hour. Differences, however, are much greater between coastal and inland stations.

Maximum day length occurs in June when 13.2 hours of sunshine are possible and the minimum

day-length occurs in December when 11.0 hours of sunshine are possible. However, the mean

sunshine in mountainous hill areas is influenced by the persistence of clouds.

Relative Humidity:

Relative humidly is typical of subtropical islands ranging from 63-75 percent. Afternoon

showers are the major cause of most daily variations in relative humidity. Highest values are

recorded during the cooler morning hours near dawn, followed by a decrease until the early

afternoon when temperatures are highest.

Although relative humidity in coastal areas averages 84 percent at 7:00p.m, temperatures at this

time are in the mid-70’s therefore little or no discomfort results. At 1:00 pm the average relative

humidity on the coasts is 71 percent; however, values in the plains will average about 77 percent

reflecting the effects of afternoon showers in the nearby hills.

Hurricane:

A hurricane is a storm revolving around a centre of low pressure, which contains almost no wind.

As a hurricane develops, the winds from the area of high pressure rush towards the low-pressure

centre, and as their centrifugal force intensifies powerful gales of up to 128 kilometres per hour

are built up. The calm vortex in the centre, the “eye” of the hurricane, varies in diameter from 32

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to a few hundred kilometres, and usually moves westwards. Hurricanes are invariably

accompanied by driving rains.

The hurricane season is between July and October, though a hurricane may occasionally arise in

June or November.

Table 2 gives the history of some natural disasters since the beginning of this century.

Table 2: Natural disasters in Jamaica’s history since the beginning of this century and year of occurrence

Floods Hurricanes Tropical Storms Earthquakes 1901 1902 1904 1909 (2) 1915 (3) 1916 1918 1919 1931 (3)

1933 1940 1950 1979 1986 1987 1988

1903 1909 1912 1915 (3) 1916 (2) 1917 1923 1932 1933 (2) 1939 1944 1950 1951

1954 1955 1958 1963 1964 1966 1979 (2) 1980 1985 1988

1916 1924 1951 1953 (2) 1955 (2) 1956 1958 1961

1907 1914 1943 1956 1957 1988 1989 1993

Source: Statistical Yearbook of Jamaica 1999

Geographical Features Mountains:

Jamaica is a land of mountains, plateaux and plains. The eastern part of the island is composed

of metamorphic rocks which form the imposing range of the Blue Mountains. A sinuous central

ridge runs north-west to south-east, with many long spurs to the north and south. The crest of

this ridge exceeds 1,820 metres for 16 kilometres with the highest summit at Blue Mountain,

attaining an elevation of 2,256 metres. Thus the mountains rise 2,100 metres from the costal

plain in only 16 kilometres, a general gradient which has few equals anywhere in the world.

These mountains are strongly dissected by a network of steep-sided ravines. The hilltops are

clothed in forest and present a more rounded aspect than the peals of the northern lands.

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Many great rivers radiate from these highlands, chief among them are the Rio Grande which

collects much of the drainage of the north-east slopes and the Yallahs River which drains the

central southern slopes. The latter has transported great qualities of materials to build a delta,

which pushes the coastline almost two kilometres seaward.

Much of the rest of the island is built of limestone. This gives a variety of scenery. The John

Crow Mountains in north-east Portland are a strongly tilted plateau over 910 metres high

between the Rio Grande Mountains and the Manchester plateau. Both are largely above 607

metres and temperatures are often 10 degrees below those of the coast.

Between these plateaux the land becomes broken, until the limestone cover is breached to reveal

older rocks at the centre of the island. This region from Troy and Ulster Spring in the west, to

Frankfield in the east is one of rich well-watered soils. Its many rivers include the Quashie,

Hectors and Cave Rivers, which flow outwards and disappear underground soon after reaching

the encircling limestone. Further west, the Cockpit Country stretches for kilometres with a

jumble of conical limestone hills and ridges divided by deep precipitous glades. This terrain is

heavily forested and is among the most difficult to traverse in the island. Its forms are produced

by solution of the limestone by rainwater, which exceeds 2,540 millimetres a year in this region.

The northern edge of the Cockpit Country and the Dry Harbour Mountains and the western edge

of the Manchester plateau are marked by long straight scarps with the land falling away in front

of them. The Spur Tree scarp runs some kilometres from north to south and falls 455 metres to

the west. In places, these plains may be inundated to form swampland. The Black River is the

island’s largest river with a winding course 71 kilometres in length. Much of this course passes

through the wide swampland of the Upper and Greater Morass.

Table 3 highlights the principal elevations above sea level.

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Table 3: Principal Elevations Above Sea Level

NAME PARISH HEIGHT (METRES)

Blue Mountain Peak Blue Mountain East Peak Sir John’s Peak (NE of Cinchona Plantation) Portland Gap St. Catherine’s Peak Morce’s Gap Cold Spring Gap House, Cinchona Plantation Hardwar Gap Bellevue Newcastle Parade Flamstead Silver Hill Gap Content Gap Mountain Denham Arntully Gap Bull Head Holly Mount Cuna Cuna Gap John Crow Mountains Dry Harbour Mountains (Cockpit Country) Mount Diablo Guys Hill Mandeville

St. Thomas – Portland St. Thomas – Portland St. Thomas-Portland-St. Andrew St. Thomas-Portland St. Andrew St. Andrew-Portland St. Andrew St. Andrew St. Andrew St. Andrew St. Andrew St. Andrew Portland St. Andrew Manchester St. Thomas Clarendon St. Catherine St. Thomas Portland St. Ann St. Ann-St. Catherine St. Mary-St. Ann-St. Catherine Manchester

2,256 2,248 1,930

1,675 1,541 1,524 1,311 1,223 1,219 1,152 1,143 1,116 991 991 986 914 848 839 822 762 762 686 640 628

Source: Survey Department

Caves And Sinkholes:

A typical feature of the limestone areas of Jamaica is the very pronounced development of what

is called Karst topography, that is, an abundance of cockpits, sink holes, caves, underground

passages and other solution cavities, which penetrate the thick limestone formation in various

directions, especially along the main structural lines and joints. The latter presents planes of

weakness to the downward percolating water and have been widened by solution. Not only is

the surface dotted with large solution depressions but in places the thick beds of soluble

limestone are dissected by cavities and conduits along which underground streams can often be

traced for distances exceeding 16 kilometres. The oldest caves and those at higher elevations are

however, dry and penetrable. Most of them have been for years the dwelling-places of large

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colonies of bats, which produce bat-guano and cave phosphates. Early man has also used several

of them as homes and hiding places, and some have yielded Taino Indian remains, implements

and carvings.

Although some of the caves of Jamaica lack the scenic beauty of the so-called crystal caves (as

known for instance, in Capri), many of them are of remarkable beauty and grandeur, their

chambers and vaults being largely adorned with fine dripstone formations; stalactites, sturdy

stalagmites and draperies of fantastic shapes and appearance. Underground streams and pools

and basins of clear, cool water encircled by travertine terraces and calcareous tufa, add to the

beauty of the subterranean scenery and attract tourists and visitors.

One of the longest penetrable caves in Jamaica is St. Clair’s Cave in the parish of St. Catherine

about three kilometres south of Ewarton, on the western margin of St. Thomas-in-the-Vale. The

total length of its accessible underground passages including side branches, measures a little

more than three kilometres. It is a typical underground conduit, winding but with a general east-

west trend, usually dry and accessible, but carrying a flow of water after long rainy periods. In

addition to the accessible caves there are many underground conduits and cave systems, through

which subterranean streams flow, rendering them impenetrable or only occasionally and partly

accessible during low-water stages in dry periods.

Excluding shelter caves and smaller cavities, some 380 caves have been registered and located

by the Geological Survey Department and still others remain to be found. The most important,

especially those containing phosphate deposits have been surveyed. Their distribution

throughout the parishes is as follows: Hanover 20, Westmoreland 23, St. James 40, St. Elizabeth

44, Trelawny 48, Manchester 20, St. Ann 54, Clarendon 57, St. Catherine 44, St. Mary 3, St.

Andrew 7, Kingston 0, Portland 14 and St. Thomas 6.

The Coastline:

The island’s coastline has many contrasts. The coastline is 891 kilometres and is punctuated by

numerous coastal features such as harbours, bays, mangroves, swamps, rocky shores, cays, coral

reefs and lagoons. The north shore has calm clear seas and white sand beaches, backed by a flat-

raised plain and uplifted coral reefs. The south coast has black sand beaches and long straight

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cliffs such as Lover’s Leap in St. Elizabeth with a sheer drop of 300 metres. The island’s finest

beach stretches six (6) kilometres on the west coast along a sandbar at Negril.

Bathing Beaches:

Numerous beaches along Jamaica’s coast are available for swimming under one or another type

of status. The Beach Control Authority had, at mid-1971 secured, by ownership or lease, 27

beaches with changing facilities, toilets and showers and 101 beaches without such facilities.

There are 22 seaside parks in addition to the 128 public bathing beaches. Some beaches, which

are still under negotiation, are not yet necessarily available to the public. Several public bathing

beaches are adjacent to designated fishing beaches and to private beaches; i.e., several users may

share the one “physical” beach. Total frontage of bathing beaches and seaside parks is 22,934

metres. Some of the public seaside parks have beaches but they are mainly designated to take

advantage of the water environment.

The 11 commercial bathing beaches are under private ownership and are open to the public on a

fee-paying basis. Facilities vary from basic to high standard. The total commercial bathing

beach frontage is 1,944 meters. The majority of hotel beaches are available to the general public

on a fee basis, for patronage of the hotel’s facilities and some on payment of a club fee. The

total hotel beach frontage is 9,898 metres. In addition to the beaches shown on the map, there

are many which are in private ownership adjacent to beach cottages, resort subdivision or

farmland. The quality of both public and private beaches varies appreciably.

For the island, the amount of usable shoreline is 47.5 percent of the entire coastline. The amount

secured for public bathing and seaside parks is 5.4 percent of the shoreline, or 2.6 percent of the

entire coastline. There are almost eight (8) metres of public shoreline for each thousand

residents of Jamaica, compared with 470 metres of total coast line for each thousand of the

population.

Details of Jamaica coastline and beaches are highlighted in Table 4.

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Table 4: Coastal Area, Shoreline and Beaches, by Parish

Parish

Total Coastline

(kilometres)

Total Shoreline (usable

Coastline) (kilometres)

Total Public

Shoreline (Metres)

Total Extent of

Public Bathing beaches (metres)

Total

Extent of Seaside Parks

(metres)

Total Extent

of Fishing Beaches (metres)

JAMAICA Kingston & St Andrew St. Thomas Portland St. Mary St. Ann Trelawny St. James Hanover Westmoreland St. Elizabeth Manchester Clarendon St. Catherine

891.21 64.37 89.06 89.86 63.79 53.81 38.56 44.13 76.35 74.93 60.16 21.10 102.16 112.94

423.57 48.28 61.30 44.19 21.55 29.29 20.39 20.76 19.04 29.05 30.03 16.33 56.20 33.60

22,933 1,476 2,487 1,959 739 1,007 1,441 1,688 4,724 2,065 1,257 219 274 3,597

18,542 931 1,604 1,319 404 1,007 1,240 1,624 4,206 998 1,120 219 274 3,597

4,392 545 884 640 335 - 201 64 518 1,067 137 - - -

11,179 610 1,372 658 823 500 610 396 2,370 1,097 975 305 1,189 274

Source: Town Planning Department, UNDP Physical Planning Project and the Beach Control Authority (UNDP – United Nations Development Programme)

Plains:

The plains of Jamaica lie chiefly on the southern side of the island, and are all of alluvial

formation.

The principal plains are the Liguanea Plain in Kingston and St. Andrew, the Rio Cobre and St.

Dorothy Plains in St. Catherine, the Plain of Vere in Clarendon, the Pedro Plain in St. Elizabeth,

and the George’s Plain in Westmoreland.

Harbours and Bays:

Since the mountains are nearer to the north than the south coast, the bays and inlets of the north

are more rugged than those of the south.

Kingston Harbour on the south coast is the finest harbour in the West Indies, and one of the six

largest natural harbours in the world. It is almost completely landlocked by a long strip of land

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called the Palisadoes. Tidal movements are negligible. Morant Bay, Salt River and Black River

are the other important harbours on the south coast.

Port Antonio on the north with its twin harbours is the second best port of the island. Montego

Bay forms a large harbour, through it is somewhat exposed to the north winds. Ocho Rios on the

north and Port Kaiser and Port Esquivel on the south are important ports from which bauxite and

alumina are exported. Other important harbours on the north are Lucea, St. Ann’s Bay,

Oracabessa and Port Maria. Runaway Bay and Columbus Cove are mainly of historical interest.

Cays:

There are several cays off the coast of Jamaica, the most important of which are the Morant Cays

and the Pedro Cays, groups of small sandy islands lying off the south coast of Jamaica. The

Morant Cays lie on a crescent-shaped shoal, which runs in a more or less north-south direction

and is situated about 53 kilometres to the southeast of Morant Point, Jamaica. There are four

cays in the group, the largest being North-East Cay.

The Pedro Cays lie on the Pedro Bank, which extends westward for nearly 161 kilometres from a

point about 64 kilometres south south west of Portland Point, Jamaica. There are four cays in the

group, the largest being South-West Cay, about 0.8 kilometres in circumference.

Mineral Springs:

There are a number of mineral springs in Jamaica, some of them of high therapeutic value. The

most important are the warm saline and radioactive spring at Milk River in Clarendon, the hot,

sulphurous spring at Bath in St. Thomas; the Black River Spa in St. Elizabeth; the Moffat Spring

on the White River. There are also mineral baths fed by cold springs at Rockfort, near Kingston,

and at Port Henderson.

Rivers:

Since the principal range of mountains run from west to east, the rivers, which start on their

slopes, generally flow to the north or to the south.

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Most of the rivers are not navigable. The height of the mountains causes them to run swiftly in

deep beds, and their courses are sometimes broken by waterfalls.

Jamaica’s rivers, which are numerous, flow down from the central mountainous area, but owing

to the limestone nature of most of the interior, several of these rivers appear only intermittently

and, particularly in parishes of St. Ann, Trelawny and St. Thomas, rise only a few kilometres

from the coast. Most of the rivers are narrow and fast flowing, and some have rapids; in general,

those flowing south are longer and are fed by more tributaries than those flowing north. The

principal rivers which flow south from the mountains are the Plantain Garden River in St.

Thomas which rises in the Blue Mountains and runs south from short distance before veering

sharply to the east to flow out into Holland Bay; the Yallahs River which rises under Silver Hill

Peak and flows to the sea through eastern St. Thomas; the Hope River which rises near

Newcastle in St. Andrew and flows due south; the Rio Pedro which rises in Above Rocks and

flows west to Bog Walk where it joins the Rio Cobre which then flows south and west through

St. Catherine; the Rio Minho which rises near Spaldings and flows in a shallow area across

Clarendon to enter the sea at Carlisle Bay; Milk River which rises in the vicinity of Porus and

flows due south, being navigable for about 3 kilometres of its lower reaches; Black River which

intermittently disappears underground, beginning as Hectors River and flows for 19 kilometres

east along the boundary between Trelawny and Manchester, reappearing as the One Eye River at

Oxford in Manchester, disappearing once more and reappearing as the Black River near Mexico

Estates in St. Elizabeth from which point it pursues a winding course of 71 kilometres to the sea.

It has been described as the finest river in the island, is navigable by boats of considerable size

for a distance of approximately 40 kilometres from its mouth and provides river transport to the

sea for the produce of the area through which it flows. The Cabaritta, which rises near Birch’s

Hill in Hanover, flows south into Westmoreland and winds across the plains to enter the sea at

Savannah-la-Mar. The rivers flowing out on the north coast are the Rio Grande and its

tributaries, which rise in the Blue Mountains and flow across Portland to enter the sea near St.

Margaret’s Bay; the Wag Water which rises in the Blue Mountains near Hardwar Gap and flows

across St. Mary to enter the sea to the west of Annatto Bay; the White River which rises near

Guy’s Hill in St. Mary and whose course forms the boundary between St. Mary and St. Ann; the

Martha Brae which rises near Windsor in Trelawny and flows out to the east of Falmouth; the

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Montego River which, with its numerous short tributaries, rises in central St. James and flows

east to Montego Bay; and the Great River which rises in St. Elizabeth and as it flows north to the

sea marks the boundary between St. James and Hanover.

Details of the main rivers of Jamaica are given in Table 5 Table 5: Main Rivers of Jamaica by Length and Parish

Rivers Length (Kilometres) Parish

Hope River Morant River Plantain Garden River Yallahs River Buff Bay River Hector’s River Rio Grande Rio Nuevo Wag Water River White River Martha Brae River Great River Montego River Lucea West River Lucea East River

19.6 25.9 34.9 36.9 22.2 5.1

34.3 24.0 36.2 27.4 32.5 46.0 24.1 14.0 12.9

St. Andrew St. Thomas St. Thomas St. Thomas Portland Portland Portland St. Mary St. Mary St. Ann Trelawny St. James St. James Hanover Hanover

Cabaritta River Dean’s River Negril River Black River Milk River Rio Minho Rio Cobre

39.7 17.1 15.3 53.4 36.4 92.5 50.9

Westmoreland Westmoreland Westmoreland St. Elizabeth Clarendon Clarendon St. Catherine

Source: Survey Department

Geology and Minerals:

The island of Jamaica is comprised of three main physiographic regions each characterized by

different types of land forms and relief; (1) the interior mountain ranges, (2) the dissected and

karst limestone plateaux and hills and (3) the coastal plains and interior valleys.

The interior mountain ranges are built up of the oldest rocks in Jamaica and constitute the core of

the island. The most prominent topographic unit is the Blue Mountain, which occupies the axial

part of the eastern portion of the island. The main ridge trends Northwest to Southeast sweeping

round to a more easterly direction at its eastern end. It has a sharp crest consisting of a chain of

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high peaks exceeding 1,800 metres in elevation and culminating in the Blue Mountain Peak

(2,256 metres). The Port Royal Mountains in the Wag Water belt form a chain of foothills

running parallel to the western part of the main ridge, and comprising several peaks over 1,200

metres high. The axial central range in the middle of the island, and a few elevations in the

western parts are much lower altitude, only in few points rising slightly over 910 metres. The

topography of these mountainous areas is rugged, very picturesque, much dissected by deep

erosional valleys and gullies with steep hillsides, being subject to strong soil erosion and land-

sliding where deforested.

The Tertiary limestone areas, covering the flanks of the interior ranges and extending over the

axis in the western parts, comprise more than half of the island’s surface. The limestone hills

and plateaux seldom exceed 910 metres in elevation. In the higher regions a peculiar type of

mature karst topography, called Cockpit topography prevails, while in the lower areas nearer to

the coast a gentler hilly topography has developed. The Cockpit Country, being much dissected

by deep sinkholes and glades presents a very rough topography, most difficult to traverse. The

features are due to the intense solution of the limestone by atmospheric waters, and generally all

the rainwater sinks into the fissures and cavities and flows in underground courses, forming large

caves and subterranean water conduits. Relatively few surface streams are developed and water

supply in these areas is a serious problem.

The coastal plains are low-lying level areas developed along the south coast, and are composed

of alluvial sands, gravels and loams. They extend inland for several miles abutting against the

limestone hills. These are the areas best suited for large-scale cultivation. The deltas and plains

along the lower reaches of the main rivers are of the same nature. The interior valleys (‘Poljes’)

are flat-bottomed or slightly undulating depressions occurring in the limestone areas at various

elevations. They are floored with residual clay or alluvium. Although of lesser extent than the

coastal plains, they also provide a fruitful soil for sugar cane and other crops.

The most important economic mineral is bauxite, which occurs, in large deposits associated with

the Tertiary White Limestone formation. The ore is a soft to moderately hard, red earthly

material, alumina content ranging around 50 percent, iron oxide about 20 percent, silica

generally less than 3 percent, titania about 2 percent, and combined water about 27 percent. It is

16

of terra rosa type and fills solution pockets, depressions and glades in the limestone. The

deposits have practically no over-burden and many are of considerable size, the reserves

amounting to many hundreds of millions of tons. The largest deposits occur in the parishes of

Manchester, St. Elizabeth and St. Ann. The maximum thickness in the deepest pockets exceeds

20 metres, while the average mineable thickness is in the range of 3-9 metres. Suitable process

methods have been developed for the economic treatment of this relatively low-grade ore, and

large-scale mining operations were set in motion in 1952-53.

Another mineral, which occurs in commercial quantities in eastern St. Andrew is gypsum. The

largest deposit lies in the area of Brooks, near Bull Bay, within two or three kilometres of the

coast. They are exploited by Jamaica Gypsum Limited, a subsidiary of United States Gypsum

Company. The Company operates quarries and a crushing plant at Brooks in the Bull Bay area

and a loading pier at Harbour Head. At present, the major portion of the output is exported to the

United States of America. The remainder is sold locally to cement producers and others, except

for a small quantity which is exported to Trinidad and Tobago and other Caribbean countries.

Metalliferous mineral deposits, such as ores of copper, lead, zinc and manganese occur in the

form of smaller veins in andesites and other igneous rocks at several localities in Upper

Clarendon, Portland and St. Andrew. They were mined to a small extent in the nineteenth

century. Re-examination of these deposits is in progress and some of them may be worked

again. The Hope Mine near Papine, St. Andrew, which had been worked in the eighteenth and

nineteenth centuries, still contains workable deposits of lead and zinc ore of an average grade of

1.7 percent Pb and 3.8 percent Zn, in addition to small values in silver and gold. Several lodes of

high-grade iron ore (magnetic and hematite) have been discovered in the parishes of St. Andrew

and Portland.

Limestone is largely used as road building material and for the manufacture of Portland cement,

of which about 500 000 tonnes are produced annually by the Caribbean Cement Company.

17

Population

Population size, growth, structure, and distribution provide the basis for the development of all

policies, plans and programmes.

Population size and growth result from the interplay of fertility, mortality and international

migration. The current growth rate of the population of 0.6 percent in 2001 has been consistent

with the National Population Policy target for a growth rate below 0.8 percent over the medium

term and a projected population size of under 3.0 million by the year 2020. This growth rate has

been consistently below 1.0 percent since 1997. The downward trend is desirable in light of

national policy for achieving a stable population at zero growth. However, since the decline in

the growth rate is influenced mainly by continuing high levels of emigration rather than declines

in fertility it may have serious repercussions for national development. Life expectancy at birth

is a good measure of the health status of the country, and stands at 69.8 years for males and 73.2

years for females or an average of 72.0 years. This is commendable as, at this intermediate stage

in the nation’s process of demographic transition, it compares favourably with that of the

developed countries. It is also indicative of the ageing of the population, which occurs when

both fertility and mortality decline as a result of improvements such as in education,

contraception and health care practices.

Population Growth:

At the end of 2001, the population of Jamaica was estimated at 2 621 100, or approximately 0.6

percent over the 2001 figure of 2 604 800 (Table 6). Data from the Statistical Institute of

Jamaica (STATIN) estimated 55 300 births for the year, and deaths were 17 300. Natural

increase of the population was thus 38 000. Loss to net external movements was 21 700, so that

there was a net increase of 16 400. The combination of a relatively high number of estimated

deaths and continued high levels of net external movements have been largely responsible for the

population growth being held at 0.6 percent in 2001.

The population density in 2001 was 239 per sq km.

18

Fertility:

The estimated number of live births for 2001 is approximately 55 300, which equates to a Crude

Birth Rate (CBR) of 21.2 per 1 000 population (see Table 6). It should be noted that the absolute

numbers of registered births have been falling since 1998 and averaged 55 000 since then

compared with 58 600 per annum from the early nineties up to 1997 (1992-1997). The General

Fertility Rate (GFR) relates births to the actual number of women in the reproductive age group

15-49 years. In 2001 there were 696 228 women in this category which calculates to a GFR of

79.4 per 1000 women 15-49 years, up from 78.2 in 2000.

A more precise measure of fertility than the CBR or the GFR is the Total Fertility Rate (TFR) or

the average number of children per woman. This was estimated at approximately 2.8 in 1997

down from 3.0 in 1993.

Details of the population growth are given in Table 6 Table 6: Population growth Statistics 1992 – 2001 N U M B E R S RATES (PER 1000 POPULATION Year

Population at the end of year

Mean population

Live Births

Deaths

Net External Movement

Natural Increase col(4)- col (5)

Net increase col(7)+ col (6)

Crude Birth Rate col(4)/ col (3)

Crude Death Rate col(5)/col (3)

Rate of Natural increase col (9)- col(10)

Annual Rate of Growth in percentages col(8)/col(3)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

1992 2 423 700 2 411 300 58 600 13 200 -20 500 45 400 24 900 24.3 5.5 18.8 1.0

1993 2 445 900 2 434 800 57 400 13 900 -21 300 43 500 22 200 23.6 5.7 17.9 0.9

1994 2 472 900 2 459 400 59 200 13 500 -18 800 45 700 26 900 24.1 5.5 18.6 1.1

1995 2 503 300 2 488 100 63 500 15 400 -17 700 48 100 30 400 25.5 6.2 19.4 1.2

1996 2 527 400 2 515 400 59 200 16 900 -18 000 42 300 24 200 23.5 6.7 16.8 1.0

1997 2 553 200 2 540 300 59 400 15 100 -18 600 44 300 25 700 23.4 5.9 17.5 1.0

1998r 2 573 700 2 563 700 56 900 16 200 -20 100 40 700 20 600 22.2 6.3 15.9 0.8

1999r 2 589 000 2 581 700 53 600 17 5400 -21 000 39 600 18 600 20.8 6.7 14.1 0.6

2000p 2 604 800 2 596 900 54 000 16 300 -21 800 38 600 16 800 20.7 6.3 14.9 0.6

2001d 2 621 100 2 609 300 55 300 17 200 -21 700 38 100 16 400 21.2 6.6 14.6 0.6

Note: a. Figures in cols. 2 – 8 are approximated to the nearest hundred. Discrepancies are due to rounding. b. Number of births and deaths are the events registered by the Registrar General’s Department c. Net External Movement is a surrogate measure for Emigration and is based on movements of

Jamaican nationals to and from the island in any given year. d. Estimates of births and deaths for 2001 (used as the basis for calculation of the 2001 population)

have been computed by STATIN using regression analysis and hence differ from the numbers reported by the Registrar General’s Department

r - revised p - provisional Source: Statistical Institute of Jamaica, Registrar General’s Department and the Immigration Department

19

Mortality:

The number of deaths in 2001 was estimated at 17 200 reflecting a Crude Death Rate (CDR) of

6.6 per 1000 population (see Table 6). This gives a 5.5 percent increase in deaths over the

previous year. The overall death rate has remained low for two decades, varying between 5.5 and

7.0 per 1000. However, when age specific rates are considered there is cause for concern in

relation to a number of demographic groups namely infants, mothers and youths. Infant deaths

were estimated at 24.5 per 1000 live births, and maternal mortality estimated at 111.0 per 100

000 live births. Within the age group 15-30 years, there were high levels of deaths, especially

among males, due to motor vehicle accidents, crime, violence, drugs and robbery-related

violence. Non-communicable chronic diseases (lifestyle diseases) such as those associated with

obesity, for example, hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, neoplasms, diseases of the

respiratory, circulatory and nervous systems were largely responsible for deaths

Population Distribution:

Population changes between 1991 and 2001, varied geographically, with large increases in some

parishes and little growth, or even decline in others. Just over two fifths (43.5%) of the

population continues to live in the contiguous southeastern parishes of Kingston, St. Andrew and

St. Catherine. One of the most significant aspects of population change in the past thirty years

has been the growth of the parish of St. Catherine. Simultaneous with this growth, has come the

continuing decline in the population of the parish of Kingston and the slowing down in the rate

of growth of the parish of St. Andrew. Kingston and St. Andrew had represented the major focus

of inter parish movements and growth since 1921. Between 1991 and 2001, St. Catherine grew at

an annual rate of 2.3 percent nearly three times the rate observed for the country as a whole.

Kingston declined at a rate of 0.5 percent per annum, while St. Andrew only grew at a rate of 0.3

percent annually. Following St. Catherine the fastest growing parishes between 1991 and 2001

were Manchester (1.5%), St. James (1.3%) and St. Ann (1.1%). As a result of these differences

in growth rates, the parish share of the total population has shifted considerably in recent

decades. In 1982 approximately 4.8 percent of the population lived in the parish of Kingston, a

proportion that declined to 4.2 percent in 1991 and by 2001 had fallen to 3.7 percent. Movements

for St. Andrew for the same period was from 23.3 percent in 1982, to 22.7 percent in 1991 and

declining to 21.3 percent in 2001. St. Catherine on the other hand moved from 15.2 percent in

20

1982 to 16.0 percent in 1991 and in 2001 accounted for 18.5 percent of the population of

Jamaica. In terms of actual numbers, the parish of St. Catherine grew by 98 689 between 1991

and 2001, thereby contributing 45.1 percent of the overall growth of 218 668. Other important

contributors to growth have been the central parishes of Manchester and Clarendon which grew

by 25 661 and 21 446 respectively and in the northwest, St. James (20 437) and Northeast, St.

Ann (16 720). St. Andrew gained 14 366 and therefore rounded out the top five largest gaining

parishes. The 10 086 gain to the population of Westmoreland should be noted as this was the

only western parish other than St. James to show any appreciable growth.

The parish of St. Elizabeth stands out as that which experienced the lowest rate of growth and the

smallest addition to its population between 1991 and 2001. St. Elizabeth grew at the minimal rate

of 0.02 percent adding less than 300 persons.

Urbanization and the Growth of Towns:

The preliminary census data reveal that just over a half (52.1%) of the population live in areas

classified as urban while (47.9%) lived in rural areas.

The urban population grew at an annual rate of 1.42 percent between 1991 and 2001, much faster

than the population in rural areas, which grew at a rate of only 0.52 percent over the decade.

Economic Conditions:

The economy of Jamaica is largely dependent on the production of bauxite, alumina, sugar,

bananas and tourism. These activities contribute nearly 50 percent of the country’s GDP and

nearly 66 percent of its gross foreign exchange. Table 7 give details of the selected economic

and social indicators.

21

Table 7: Selected Economic and Social Indicators

SELECTED ECONOMIC & SOCIAL INDICATORS

1997 – 2001

Unit 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001

GDP at Current Prices

GDP at Constant (1986) Prices

Real GDP growth (1986)

Goods Production as % of Total Real GDP Agriculture “ Mining “ Manufacturing “ Construction “ Services “ Basic Services “ Other Services “ Imputed Services Charges Exports as % GDP (current) Imports “ Income (per Capita) Current Constant EXTERNAL TRADE * Total Imports (c.i.f.) * Annual Growth in total Imports Consumer Goods Raw Material Capital goods Total Exports (f.o.b) * Annual Growth in Total Exports Traditional Exports Bauxite Alumina Sugar Banana Non Traditional Exports Wearing Apparel Trade Balance *

J$b

J$b

%

% % % % % % % % %

% %

J$000 J$000

US$ m %

US$ m US$ m US$ m US$ m

% US$ m US$ m US$ m US$ m US$ m US$ m US$ m US$ m

240.6 r

19.62 r

-1.7

41.1 r7.9 r8.9 r

16.4 r8.0 r

76.6 r 18.0 r 58.6 r -17.8 r

21.4 r 49.4r

93.2 7.5

3 127.8 6.6

895.0 1 573.2 659.5

1 387.3r

0.5 945.4 72.8 651.7 101.9r

45.7r

409.3 227.6

-1740.7r

254.1 r

19.56 r

-0.3 r

40.3 r7.8 r9.2 r

15.7 r7.5 r

77.5 r

19.1 r 58.4 r -17.8 r

19.5 r 46.9r

95.9 7.4

2 961 -5.3r

922.0 1 488.0r

551r

1 290.3r

-6.9 840.4r

81 575.3r

94.6r

33.2 400r

200.5r

1 670.7r

274.3 r

19.47 r

-0.4r

40.2 r8.0 r9.1 r

15.7 r7.5 r 81.4 r 20.7 r 60.8 r-21.6 r

18.4 44.4

103.5 7.3

2 904 -1.9r

964.0 1 471.0r

468.3 1 247.3

-3.3r

874.6r

55.9 627.9 95.3r

29.8 338.2r

159.1r

-1656.7r

307.0 r

19.60 r

0.7 r

39.1 r7.0 r8.9 r

15.7 r7.4 r 84.5 r 21.9 r 62.6 r-23.7 r

18.5 46.0

114.6 7.4

3 200 -10.2 976

1 713 511

1 293.1 3.7

909.2 45.5 684.3 83.3 22.9 344.2 143.5

-1906.9

334.7

19.94

1.7

39.4 7.3 9.1

15.5 7.5

84.2 22.6 61.6 -23.6

17 41

n/a n/a

3 365 5.2 989

1 810 566

1 224.5 -5.3

897.2 93.8 642.6 70.5 18.3 301.5 88.5

-2140.5

22

SELECTED ECONOMIC & SOCIAL INDICATORS

1997 – 2001

Unit 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001

BALANCE OF PAYMENTS ** Current account Balance Trade Balance ** Total Imports (f.o.b) ** Total Exports (f.o.b) ** Services (Net) Balance on Goods and Services Income (Net) Current transfers (Net) Capital & Financial Account Balance Reserves Net International Reserves Net Foreign Assets Nominal Exchange Rate (J$ per US$) Total Visitor arrivals Stop-over Visitors Cruise Passengers Occupancy Foreign Exchange Earnings Energy Petroleum Imports (d) Electricity Generated Population Growth Rate Crude Birth Rate Crude Death Rate Natural Increase Net External Movement Labour Force Male Female Labour Force Participation Male Female Total Employment Male Female Total Unemployment Rate Male Female Average Weekly Earnings of All Employees (1990 J$) (e)

US$ m US$ m US$ m US$ m US$ M US$ m US$ m US$ m US$ m US$ m

US$ m

J$b

Million Million Million

% US$ M

Mb GWh

000 Persons %

Per 1000 pop. Per 1000 pop.

% 000 persons

000 000 000 % % %

000 000 000 % % %

J$

-332.2r

-1132.3r

2832.6r

1700.3r

308.0 -665.1r

-291.9r

624.8r

332.2r

161.3r

541

35.5

35.6

1.9 1.2 0.7

55.7 1 130.0

19.5 2 768.4

2 553.2 1

23.4 5.9

17.5 -18.6

1 133.8 613.8 520 66.5 74.6 59

946.8 548.9 397.9 16.5 10.6 23.5

5 177.2

-333.7r

-1130.5r

2743.9r

1 613.4 261.0

-653.6r

-308.1r

628.0r

333.7r

-39.3r

582

36.8

37.2

1.9 1.2 0.7

58.7 1 197

18.1r

2 949.6

2 573.0r

0.8r

22.2 6.3r

15.9r

-20.1

1 128.6 614.3 514.2 65.6 73.9 57.8 953.6 552.9 400.7 15.5 10

22.1

5 881.9

-216.3r

-1186.5r

2685.6r 1499.1r

565.0r

-531.1r

332.5r

647.3r

216.3r

133.6r

450.2

40.0r

41.4

2 1.2 0.8 57

1 280

20.1 3 099.5

2 589.4r

0.6r

20.8r

6.7 14.1r

-21

1 119.1 611.7 507.4 64.5 73

56.6 943.9 550.3 393.6 15.7 10

22.5

6 869.1

-288.6r

-1353.5 2 908.1 1 554.6

594 -759.5 -349.9 820.8 288.6 -519.3

969.5

69.8

45.5

2.2 1.3 0.9

58.5 1 333

21.4 3 301.8

2 605.4 0.6

20.8 6.3r

14.9 -21.8

1 105.3

615 490.3 63.3 73

54.3 933.5 552.4 381.1 15.5 10.2 22.3

7 277.7

-650

-1 580 3 –31.6 1 451.6 546.4

-1 033.6 -488.7 872.3 650

-871.3

1 840.7

116.6p

47.4

2.1 1.3 0.8

56.1 1 235

21.9 3 360.8

2 621.1 0.6

21.2 6.6

14.6 -21.7

1 104.8 618.1 486.7

63 73

53.6 939.4 554.8 384.7 151 10.3 21

n/a

23

SELECTED ECONOMIC & SOCIAL INDICATORS

1997 – 2001

Unit 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001

Education Enrolment in: Primary Institutions Secondary Institutions Tertiary Institutions University (f) Literacy Rate Health Infant Mortality Rate Life Expectancy (at birth) Mortality

(000)

“ “ “ “

Per ‘000 Live births Yrs Per 100 000

306.2 219.3 4.1

15.7 75.4

24.5

72.2 111

318.2r

227.2 10.9 16.2 75.4

24.5

72 111

318.6 228.5 12.7 15.8 75.4

24.5

72.2 111

325.3 226.4 12.5 18.6 79.9

24.5

72.2r

111

334.7 227.5 12.1 20.9 79.9

24.5

72 111

Notes: * STATIN’s methodology ** BOJ’s new methodology d – excluding marketing companies e – From Survey of employment, earnings and Hours worked in Large Etablishments, Statistical Institute of Jamaica f – Enrolment data for University in 2000 and 2001 included the Northern Caribbean University mb – million barrels r – revised n/a – not applicable Source: Economic and Social Survey Jamaica 2001

24

25

Main Farming Systems

Description:

There is 115 892.2 hectares of land in Jamaica according to the 1996 census of agriculture. The

total area of holdings for agriculture and forestry was estimated at 407 434 hectares of the total

agricultural land of 449 500 hectares. Agricultural land covers 38.8 percent of the total area of

Jamaica. Table 8 gives the area of agricultural land by parish 1968 and 1996.

Table 8: Area of Agricultural Land by Parish in 1968 and 1996.

PARISH 1968 1996 St. Andrew

St. Thomas

Portland

St. Mary

St. Ann

Trelawny

St. James

Hanover

Westmoreland

St. Elizabeth

Manchester

Clarendon

St Catherine

13 000

46 200

30 500

43 100

63 100

42 500

28 400

25 800

54 700

72 000

44 500

73 500

64 500

7 100

28 800

20 500

34 900

55 000

34 300

19 600

21 700

42 200

50 400

24 900

62 700

47 400

Total 602 700 449 500

Source: Census of Agriculture 1996

Estimates of total hectares in agriculture were 533 800 in 1998.

The data in Table 8 show that 57 percent of agricultural land in Jamaica can be found in the

parishes of St. Elizabeth, St. Ann, Westmoreland, Clarendon and St. Catherine. St. Elizabeth,

Clarendon, St. Catherine, St. Thomas and Manchester have seen the greatest fall in area of

agricultural lands between 1968 and 1996.

26

Geographical Distribution of Agricultural Production

The three principal type of agricultural usage are:

(a) Plantation/permanent crops – grown mostly for export constituting the traditional export sector

(b) Food crops/non-permanent crops for domestic consumption and export constituting the non traditional domestic food crop sector

(c) Pasture for ruminants – beef and dairy cattle, sheep and goats

Of the major export crops, sugar occupies most of the alluvial coastal plains and interior valleys

and is grown in pure stand. Banana is grown in pure and mixed stand in several coastal and

interior areas of the island. Citrus tends to be concentrated in the south central parts of the island.

Coconut is grown as a plantation crop for local consumption and is found mainly in the eastern

and north central regions of the island. Pimento tends to be scattered over the drier parishes.

Food crop occupies mostly the central uplands.

Lands used for pasture – improved and unimproved grasses are mostly situated in north central

and western Jamaica. In addition, some of the extensive areas of woodland are utilized for

grazing on a less intensive basis.

Structure of the Agriculture Sector

The agriculture sector has traditionally been export oriented with sugar, bananas, coffee, pimento

and cocoa in that order being the main crops. The structure of the agricultural sector has

changed significantly in the post-independence period. Economic policies emphasizing self-

reliance and import substitution led to the growth of the domestic crop and livestock sectors.

The agricultural sector therefore comprises two principal grouping: Traditional and Non-

Traditional agricultural sub-sectors.

The traditional agricultural sub-sector includes the traditional export crops: sugar, banana,

coffee, citrus, pimento and cocoa. The non-traditional agricultural sub-sector includes products

such as a variety of tubers, herbs, spices, fruits, vegetables and horticultural products that have

experienced a remarkable growth in terms of export. Fruits include papaya and avocadoes.

Condiments include hot pepper and thyme. Tubers include yams and sweet potatoes; vegetables

such as pumpkin and cucumbers are examples of such crops. Foliage and cut flowers represent

27

examples of horticultural products exported. Another component of the non-traditional

agricultural sector consist of locally produced meats such as chicken, beef and pork that

currently serves mainly as import substitutes. Fish, lobster and crustaceans are also included.

The production, processing and marketing of livestock products in Jamaica is relatively well

developed in the milk, beef and poultry sub-sectors. Goats and especially sheep are of less

importance as a source of food but are buoyant sub-sectors that are now poised for growth.

Crops

Description:

The Agricultural Census of 1996 reported that approximately 45 percent of farmland

representing 177 600 hectares was in crops (excluding ruinate land not on farms and land with no

information reported) see Table 9. Lands devoted to pasture for ruminant production could

approximate 197 000 hectares, assuming that the categories of ruinate and fallow lands identified

to be in farming, but no information reported indicate utilization for grazing (see Table 9). The

non-ruminant population (pigs and chicken) should be in occupancy of some percentage of the

remaining 32834 hectares of the total area of agricultural holdings.

28

Table 9: Area in Permanent Agricultural Crop by Parish 1996 Hectares

Parish

Banana

Cocoa

Coconut

Coffee

Citrus

Sugarcane

Pimento Other Root

Crops

Total

St. Andrew St. Thomas Portland St. Mary St Ann Trelawny St. James Hanover Westmoreland St. Elizabeth Manchester Clarendon St. Catherine

681 2 183 1 461 3 572 747 388

1 202 717 626 315 460

2 055 1 668

306 278 183

2 644 48 20 28

117 87 29 16

1 904 1 366

165 3 381 2 522 3 405 645 487 546 689 487 164 43

435 914

1 749 1 281 1 283 599

1 138 126 548 76

144 174 654

1 715 1 320

78 73

117 1 124 427 752

1 155 493 294 263 857

2 484 3 691

69 3 710

81 476 443

6 437 1 037 1 701

11 437 3 154

62 16 680 8 007

55 138 467

1 087 1 633 225 42

433 244 337 134 65

201

411 1 400 770

2 154 561 325 468 881 919 715 457

1 517 1972

3514 12 444 6884

15 061 5 642 8 760 5 026 5 107

14 238 5 151 2 683

26 855 19 139

TOTAL 16 075 7 026 13 883 10 807 11 808 53 294 5 061 12 550 130 504 % OF TOTAL IN PERMANENT CROPS

12.3

5.4

10.6

8.3

9.0

40.8

4.0

9.6

% OF TOTAL AREA IN CROPS

9.0

4.0

7.8

6.0

6.6

30.0

2.8

7.0

73.2

Non-Permanent Agricultural Crops by Parish 1996 Hectares Parish

Vegetables

Legumes

Condiments

Fruits

Cereals

Yams

Tubers

All Other Crops

Total

Grand Total

St. Andrew St. Thomas Portland St. Mary St. Ann Trelawny St. James Hanover Westmoreland St. Elizabeth Manchester Clarendon St. Catherine

315 1 045 258 739

1 825 272 210 275 511

1 354 1 085 1 130 803

253 495 48 137 593 109 51 148 333

1 931 657 565 374

54 103 81

137 242 115 50

120 110 725 447 186 179

97 274 60

243 25

522 157 75

151 804 138 82

263

49 65 46 106 514 175 62 157 450 270 172 138 150

384 299 455 698

2 598 2 441 502

1 146 935 755

2 110 2 205 1 455

131 278 750 445

1 284 231 176 310 501

1 091 1 192 808 830

14 55 93 98 91 11 14 31 61 667 44 160 87

1 297 2 614 1 791 2 603 7 172 3 876 1 222 2 262 3 052 7 597 5 845 5 274 4141

4 811 15 058 8 675 17 664 12 814 12 636 6 248 7 369 17 290 12 748 8528 32 129 23 280

TOTAL 9 822 5 694 2 549 2 891 2 354 15983 8 027 1 426 48746 179250(a)

% OF TOTAL IN NON PERMANENT CROPS

20.0

11.7

5.2

6.0

4.8

32.8

16.5

3.0

% OF TOTAL AREA IN CORPS

5.5

3.0

1.4

1.6

1.0

9.0

4.5

0.8

26.8

Source: Census of Agriculture 1996 (a) Minor inconsistence in reporting cause the total figure to be greater than the area under crops

according to Table 9.

29

The data in Table 9 show that 73.2 percent of the total crop land was in permanent crops and

26.8 percent in non-permanent crops. The data also shows that sugarcane occupies 41 percent of

the area in permanent crops and 30 percent of all crops. Of the non-permanent crops 33 percent

was in yam and 20 percent in vegetables.

Animal Products Description:

The livestock sub-sector is centred around the rearing of beef and dairy cattle, poultry, pigs,

sheep and goats. Livestock makes a significant contribution to the Jamaican economy through

- employment creation

- contribution to Agricultural Gross Domestic Product (16.3% Agri. GDP - 2001)

- production of animal protein for local consumption

earning of foreign exchange through export of:

(a) live animals – cattle - dairy and beef

(b) semen – cattle

(c) beef

(d) chicken

(a) Livestock Population:

30

Table 10 gives the livestock population by parish

Table 10: Livestock Population by Parish 1996 with Totals 1968, 1978 Parish

Dairy Cattle

Beef Cattle

Other Cattle

Pigs

Poultry

Goats

Sheep

Other Farm Animals(a)

1996 St. Andrew St. Thomas Portland St. Mary St. Ann Trelawny St James Hanover Westmoreland St. Elizabeth Manchester Clarendon St. Catherine

800 3 500 2 700 1 600 4 600 1 400 1 500 3 700 3 200 2 500 3 600 6 000 3 600

1 200 3 500 2 600 6 300 21 100 7 000 3 600 4 400 12 300 10 600 5 400 12 300 5000

1 500 6 100 3 100 9400 25 700 7 500 6 400 8 700 20 100 16 500 15 800 14 700 13 300

6 800 8 500 5 700 15 200 10 400 5 900 4 700 5 000 12 900 13 500 6 700 17 200 19 600

100 000 92 000 84 000 138 000 1 431 000 258 000 71 000 92 000 210 000 186 000 163 000 3 241 000 2 301 000

7 200 12 300 8 900 19 400 23 000 16 200 12 400 17 100 37 000 38 800 20 100 46 500 26 100

100 200 300 200 700 200 200 100 200 900 300 1 000 700

200 700 400 400 1 800 800 200 900 1 200 800 800 3 300 1 600

TOTAL 1996 TOTAL 1978 TOTAL 1968

38 700 47 500 34 900

95 300 … 183 700

148 800 246 900(b)

60 200

132 100 143 300 206 700

8 367 0005 881 0004 005 000

285 000 295 900 208 100

5 100 6 800 6 200

13 100 41 500(C)

65 100 (C)

Source: Censuses of Agriculture 1968, 1978 and 1996 a) Comprises horses, mules and donkeys b) Includes beef cattle c) Includes 23 500 and 24 400 rabbits in 1978 and 1986 respectively.

31

Table 10 b gives details of the number of holdings reporting cattle and number of cattle by type.

Table 10 b: Number of Holdings reporting Cattle and number of Cattle by Type and by Size Group of Holding

TYPE OF CATTLE SIZE GROUP

NUMBER OF HOLDINGS

TOTAL CATTLE

Dairy

Beef

Steers & Bull

Heifers

Male Calves

Female Calves

JAMAICA

Landless Farms

Less than 1 hectare

1 to under 2 hectares

2 to under 5 hectares

5 to under 10 hectares

10 to under 20 hectares

20 to under 50 hectares

50 to under 100 hectares

100 to under 200 hectares 200 hectares and over

51 215

4013

22221

10246

10664

2307

863

505

150

114

282 991

16719

62272

33877

47876

16661

11259

17690

7773

15334

53530

38739

1804

6427

4479

53931

1791

2247

2567

132

1558

3814

8659

95325

5929

18807

9167

14078

5292

3473

5358

2796

5520

24905

42315

2638

11466

6494

9337

3082

1656

3462

680

1067

2433

70 405

4614

19450

10013

13492

4256

2221

4059

1426

2607

8330

17 782

878

3076

1910

2854

1142

796

1130

615

1064

4317

18 425

856

3046

1814

2785

1098

866

1114

698

1262

4886

Source: Census of Agriculture, Volume 2 (1996) Table 10 c gives details of the number of holdings reporting small stock by type and size. Table 10 c: Number of Holdings Reporting Small Stock and Number of Small Stock by Type

and Size Group TYPE OF SMALL STOCK

SIZE GROUP Number of Holdings

Reporting

Total Small

stock

Goats

Pigs

Sheep 112 309

14 685

JAMAICA

Landless Farms

Less than 1 hectare 59 544

17 703 1 to under 2 hectares

15 606 2 to under 5 hectares

2 921

1 007

533

155

78

77

422 056

62 440

187 323

57 699

62 270

17 196

11 564

6 934

4 920

7 586

4 124

284 870

44 144

135 572

39 964

42 030

10 617

4 627

3 452

1 259

2 026

1 179

132 087

18 039

50 279

17 077

19 625

6 426

6 824

3 151

3 478

4 718

2 470

5 099

257

1 472

658

615

153

113

331

183

842

475

5 to under 10 hectares

10 to under 20 hectares

20 to under 50 hectares

50 to under 100 hectares

100 to under 200 hectares

200 hectares and over

Source: Census of Agriculture, Volume 2 (1996)

32

Table 10 d gives details of the number of holdings reporting poultry and the number of poultry

by type.

Table 10 d: Number of Holdings Reporting Poultry and Number of Poultry by Type and Size

Group of Holding TYPE OF SMALL STOCK

SIZE GROUP Number of Holdings

Reporting

Total

Poultry

Broilers

Layers

Breeders Other Poultry

JAMAICA

Landless Farms

Less than 1 hectare

1 to under 2 hectares

2 to under 5 hectares

5 to under 10 hectares

10 to under 20 hectares

20 to under 50 hectares

50 to under 100 hectares 100 to under 200 hectares 200 hectares and over

26 671

4 640

14 321

3 608

3 033

632

244

120

36

21

16

8 366 965

419 059

1 072 063

603 758

1 539 573

386 958

1 678 407

446 866

128 545

418 287

1 673 449

6 421 936

352 166

885 105

540 378

1 439 301

290 419

1 634 347

420 940

122 755

407 025

329 500

470 102

43 326

78 516

34 334

71 985

90 309

41 984

24 531

5 246

10 969

68 902

1 300 109

4 605

12 837

3 077

3 529

731

281

31

32

0

1 275 000

174 818

18 962

95 605

25 969

24 758

5 517

1 795

1 360

512

293

47

Source: Census of Agriculture, Volume 2 (1996)

Livestock Sub-Sectors

Sheep and Goat:

The 1996 Census of agriculture indicated that the national population of goats 285 000 and that

of sheep to be 5 000 with 84 540 farms involved in goat and sheep rearing. (See Table 10).

Current estimates indicate that the population of goats has ballooned to over 450 000, while

the national flock of sheep has experienced attrition and is estimated to be in the region of 2 000

heads.

The Sub-sector is led by the Goat Breeders Society of Jamaica, which was inaugurated in 1997.

The Society currently has 140 members with herd sizes ranging from 5 to 200 does. The focus

of the Society is on meat production but milk production represents an opportunity to be

explored.

33

The aims and objectives of the Society are:

1. To promote the improvement of goats through breeding and selection, leading to pedigree breeding through Herd Book Registration.

2. To promote economic interest in goat production through sustained application of improved husbandry and breeding programmes

3. To add to national development by developing breeds and eco-types

The genotypes represented in the goat population includes:

• Natives — Local Population • Anglo-Nubian — Purebred and Graded, Crossbreds • Alpine — Purebred and Grades • Boer — Purebred, Graded, Crossbreds • Spanish — Purebreds • Toggenburg — Diluted • Saanen — Diluted

The genotypes represented in the sheep population includes:

• Natives (St. Elizabeth type) • Suffock — Purebred and Crossbreds • Dorper — Purebred and Crossbreds • Kathardin — Purebreds and Crossbreds • Ramboulet — Diluted

The sub-sector has benefited from several projects supported by local, regional and national

organizations, which have lead to substantial development and distribution of improved breeds.

The Ministry of Agriculture (MOA), the Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development

Institute (CARDI), Prairie View University, the University of Maryland, and the Rural

Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), have provided technological support to the

industry.

The sub-sector generates 10.3 percent of the local demand for chevon, which suggest tremendous

scope for the development of the sub-sector.

34

Pig: The pig sub-sector in Jamaica has successfully grown from what was a traditional, unorganised

operation to a system where almost 90 percent of pigs are now reared under quality management

conditions.

The Sub-sector is divided into two distinct segments.

1. A large number of small farmers with backyard operations of less than ten (10) pigs each, the majority of whom utilize local feedstuff and produce non-quality pigs.

2. Medium to large-scale producers utilizing formulated rations and producing quality pigs.

The genotypes available locally are:

• Non-descript – local population • Large White • Landrace • Duroc • Hampshire (Diluted) • Crossbreds

A survey conducted by the Data Bank and Evaluation Division in 1998 revealed that there were

4 035 pig farmers with a population of 85 414 pigs. The following Table shows the distribution

of farmers and pigs by number of pigs owned.

Table 11: Total number of farmers and pigs owned FARM SIZE BY NUMBER OF PIGS

Item

Total 5-9 10-19 20-49 50-99 100 and overFarmers 4 035 1 830 1 355 618 139 93 Pigs 84 414 12 038 17 754 17 895 9 455 28 272 The data in Table 11 shows that large producers dominate the production of pork with herd size

of 20 pigs and over. Producers in this size group while representing only 21 percent of all

producers account for 65 percent of total number of pigs being reared.

The local market for pork is comprised of three segments viz Jerk Pork, Fresh Pork and Meat

processing. Seventy (70) percent of pigs slaughtered go to the fresh meat market (this compares

with 16 percent in the USA).

35

The processing plants purchase about 60 percent of the raw material used (in the plant) from

contract farmers, the remaining 40 percent is purchased on the open market.

Other important features about the structure of the sub-sector include:

• Capital Investment in the sub-sector is estimated to be in the region of JA$5.5 billion.

• The sub-sector contracts and expands every 2-3 years with the number of farmers fluctuating between 2 000 and 4 000.

• Most of the pigs are reared in Westmoreland, St. Elizabeth and Clarendon.

• Production is totally reliant on imported animal feed (corn and soya bean), which makes up approximately 70 percent of the cost of production.

• Food safety is very pertinent as over 100 000 pigs per annum move off farms to at least 1 000 slaughtering facilities most of which are sub-standard.

There is little or no traceability and no identification system.

• Pork processing plants employ over 200 persons and have made substantial capital investment (US$10-15 million) but none run at more than 50 percent capacity and none have adequate HACCP system in place to meet international standards. It is estimated that it will require US$ 20 million to achieve this objective.

• Farmers do not pay adequate attention to environmental safety.

• Locally processed pork products are uncompetitive with Canadian imports while fresh cuts remain competitive.

Threats to the sector includes:

- Increased competition from imports of pork and other meats

- Consumption of imported value added pork products has been increasing (accounts for up to 20 percent of total consumption)

- The possibility of diseases coming in from neighbouring countries

• It is argued and accepted that any further liberalization of Jamaica’s import regime at this time without formal recognition of the safety of the pig/pork sub-sector could have devastating consequences for capital, employment, poverty alleviation and social stability in rural areas.

The Jamaica Pig Farmers Association, which was inaugurated on July 18, 2002, and the Pig

Committee of the Jamaica Livestock Association represent the concerns of the sub-sector.

Foremost among the aims and objective of the Pig Farmers Association are:

- To promote, plan and implement pig development programmes that will make Jamaica self-sufficient in pork and also make local pork production a sustainable activity on a long-term globally competitive basis.

36

- To assist and organize an efficient package of services on a non-profit, no loss basis.

- Improve feeding, breeding, management and marketing of pigs with the intent of maximising returns to pig farmers.

- To promote and protect the Jamaican Pig Industry in particular, and pig farmers in general against the dumping of subsidized imported pork and pork products.

- To promote research, development and application of science and technology in all aspects of pork production, processing, marketing and environmental impact issues.

- To collect and circulate statistics and information of all kinds in respect of the pig industry.

- To organize cooperatives and other forms of farmer organizations for small farmers in order that they may get the full benefit of the association.

Government support to the sector includes:

• Policy intervention

• Research and Development – breeding and selection, husbandry systems, ration formulation

• Dissemination of improved breeding stock

• Veterinary Services

• Extension Services

• Biogas production projects

Private sector support includes:

• Feed formulation

• Technical support

• Material and supplies – feed, medication etc.

• Marketing – contract pig rearing

• Pig development projects – collaborative work with Pig Farmers Association

Poultry: The poultry sub-sector represents the most buoyant sub-sector of the livestock industry

contributing 70 percent to local meat production. As poultry meat consumption continues to

increase, the poultry sub-sector in Jamaica has grown tremendously over the past decade.

37

The fortunes of the egg sub-sector are less spectacular with a low per capita consumption of

eggs. The sub-sector is highly integrated with backward linkages from processor to farmer. The

major processing plants are closely tied to breeder flocks for local production of hatching eggs,

importation of hatching eggs to augment supplies, hatchery operation and distribution of baby

chicks to growers. Feed manufacturing and provision of feed, animal care products,

transportation, slaughter, marketing of broiler meat as well as field services are all included.

Central planning of supply, demand and logistic support are key to the success recorded in this

sub-sector.

The poultry-rearing component of the linkage is characterized by a system of contract farming

where the individual farmers supply the processing plant with the finished birds. Sixty-five (65)

percent of total broiler production is by farmers operating under this contractual arrangement.

The remaining 35 percent come from small and medium sized farmers.

Poultry meat production is projected to grow conservatively by an average of 5 percent per

annum in the medium term.

Major concerns of the sub-sector are: (a) The availability of sanitary slaughtering facilities for the small producers; pre-requisites

for this intervention and its sustainability should be:

• Certification of small farm producers

• An education campaign as to health requirements

• Government support for construction of on-farm slaughter facilities

• Monitoring by public health authorities

A subsidy on construction material for certified small poultry producers can be an incentive to

increase the market share of non-contract producers.

(b) Massive increase in the importation of cheaper cuts of chicken meat in recent times is

threatening the survival of the industry. Arising from threats from imported poultry products, Government’s intervention has effected an

increase in local production and market share, as well as tariff structure reform to protect the

sub-sector.

38

Dairy: The dairy sub-sector is represented by the Jamaica Dairy Farmers Association, the Dairy

Committee of the Jamaica Livestock Association and the Jamaica Dairy Development Board.

Together they provide the institutional framework for implementing the milk production strategy

for Jamaica.

The goal of the milk production strategy is to advance Jamaica towards self- sufficiency in milk

on a globally competitive and sustainable basis in medium term through an integrated effort to

increase milk production and improve animal productivity and milk marketing arrangements.

The strategy seek to build on the many positive aspects of the local industry including a strong

cattle rearing tradition, effective epidemiological control of major cattle diseases, an excellent

dairy breed in the Jamaica Hope, substantial land resource, and a reasonably successful dairy

cooperative.

The objectives of the Jamaica Dairy Federation in the milk production strategy are to:

- Provide a high measure of market security for milk producers

- Establish milk prices

- Provide a direct link between producers and consumers through its having a significant presence within the market place

- Provide services such as feed, transportation and supply of farm inputs

The Jamaica Dairy Development Board is the government’s primary mechanism for overseeing

the development of the dairy industry towards self-sufficiency in milk production on a

sustainable, long-term globally competitive basis through timely policy interventions.

The players in the dairy sub-sector are:

(a) Multinational Corporations – owners of the two largest dairy operations, WINDALCO and Serge Island Dairies, which produce approximately 50 percent of the annual, estimated fresh milk production.

(b) Large privately owned dairies

(c) Large Public Sector Dairy Farms – Agricultural Development Corporation and Bodles Research Station dairies.

39

(d) Dairy Cooperatives, Rhymesfield, Cabbage Valley, Bogue Spring and Luana Dairy Development Cooperatives constituting the medium scale producers.

Categories b, c and d produce on estimated 40 percent of local production.

(e) Small farmers producing an estimated 10 percent of local production.

There about 3 000 dairy farmers supplying milk in Jamaica from about 22 000 heads of cattle

sharing 242 800 hectares of land designated as being suitable for pasture of which 196 000

hectares represents permanent pasture, the rest being marginal with little alternate use.

The sub-sector is dominated by large and medium scale producers who supply more than 80

percent of the Grade fresh milk from only 3 percent of the farms. These large and medium scale

farmers own half of the milking cows whereas the small-scale producers own somewhere

between one (1) and nine (9) dairy cows and make up 80 percent of the dairy farms producing

approximately 10 percent of the fresh milk.

The five southern parishes of St. Elizabeth, Manchester, Clarendon, St. Catherine and St.

Thomas accounts for 77 percent of the national dairy herd.

The main breeds of dairy cattle reared are the Jamaica Hope accounting for 57 percent of the

dairy population, Holstein accounting for 15 percent. Other dairy breeds include Brown Swiss,

Crossbreds involving the Jamaica Hope, Brown Swiss, Holstein and the Jersey.

There are about 20 000 beef farmers of which 14 000 own less than four (4) beef animals; about

half of these farmers also produce milk.

For the decade ending July 2000 milk production on commercial dairy farms averaged 28.7

million litres reaching a peak of 38.8 million litres of milk entering the formal trade in 1992. At

current levels of production per capita consumption is in the region of 160 millilitres, which

compares with the minimum recommended intake of 200 millilitres (WHO).

Annually Jamaica consume some 140-150 million litres equivalent of milk comprised as follows:

28.7 million litres fluid milk;

42 million litres condensed milk

24 million litres as powdered milk in sachets

40

7 million litres in school milk and

40 million litres in the form of cheese

Some 7 million litres equivalent of milk is used in other value added products such as ice-cream,

yoghurt, malted milk, milk extracts etc.

The retail value of the market for dairy products in 2000 was estimated at J$7.5 billion. The

share of the market by local dairy farmers was J$555 million or 7.4 percent representing 2.8

percent of Gross Domestic Product.

The average annual production of 28.7 million litres approximates an average of 3.6 litres per

animal per day based on a national herd of 22 000 dairy cows. Productivity in the larger herds is

considerably higher, in the range 8-15 litres per animal per day. Commercial operations

generally milk twice per day where as small farms milk once per day.

Milk is collected through several processing companies. Most of the milk produced is marketed

directly by the processors through a system of wholesalers and retailers. In 1996 the cost of milk

production in medium and large farms varies from $15.39 to $18.20 per litre with farm gate price

varying from $18.00 to $20.00 per litre for Grade “A” quality. For Grade “B” milk a farm gate

price of $14.00 per litre is paid.

The small farmers cost are less than half that of larger farmers because of lower overheads, use

of family labour and non-use of expensive concentrates, expensive milking parlours and milk

coolers. Locally produced milk, which is retailed at approximately $55 per litre, is the most

expensive form of milk compared to milk powder and condensed milk. This is because of:

(a) The use of cheap imported milk solids at low rates of duty (5%) on raw material for manufacture of condensed milk, ice cream and other luxury products.

(b) Duty remission on powdered milk used in the sachet programme.

Processors involved in packaging milk in sachet can claim for a refund of duty paid on the imported powdered milk.

In view of the above expansion of the local milk market has proven to be difficult.

41

Beef: The beef sub-sector is a fragmented one with the majority of farmers being small farmers.

Seventy (70) percent of beef farmers hold 1 – 4 animals while 0.1 percent of beef farmers own

500 or more beef animals.

It is estimated that the sub-sector is supported by 242 800 hectares of land suitable for pasture

with most marginal and of little alternate use. Of this total, an estimated 110 000 hectares of

improved pasture support an estimated cattle population of 280 000 heads owned by 20 000 beef

and dairy farmers.

The differentiation between beef and dairy cattle is blurred by the fact that some animals are dual

purpose and owners do not milk some dairy types, while in the final analysis all cattle do

produce some beef. It is estimated that 20 percent of the beef production comes from the dairy

herd. It is also estimated that the beef population is supported by a breeding herd in excess of

120 000 cows.

Specialized and expensive cattle facilities exist with little alternate use. Slaughtering facilities

includes 1178 slaughter houses in varying state of repair, most of which are obsolete. The cattle

industry employs approximately 60 000 people plus 3 000 butchers.

The local beef breeds include the Jamaica Red Poll, Jamaica Brahman and Jamaica Black, which

represent the seed stock resource pool for animal breeding, and constitute close to 50 percent of

the total cattle population. Some imported breeds have been introduced to support crossbreeding

programmes.

Beef production, processing and marketing in Jamaica is divided into sharply differing segments.

There are the intensive feedlot based cattle production system tied to a highly mechanized meat-

processing centre, supplying prime cuts to the hotel sector and hamburgers to the fast food

chains. Coexisting with these enterprises are many small farmers with a few cows grazing

private and public land supplying the village or town butchers who slaughter and sell beef to the

community.

42

The beef sub-sector is lead by the Jamaica Livestock Association through the Beef Committee in

conjunction with Cattle Breeders Societies. The industry in earlier years attained 85 percent self-

sufficiency in beef production. Present levels of production suggest a 55 percent self-sufficiency.

This situation is indicative of a sub-sector in decline or one that has surrendered to imports.

Export of cattle genetic material and beef to CARICOM Countries constitute small volume and

value.

The industry needs to become more competitive that is, to produce beef at a cost equivalent to

what obtains in North America, Argentina and Ireland which export beef to Jamaica.

The industry is in need of restructuring on the basis of a business model, which will attract new

and sustain existing investments.

Uses:

The most important animal products in Jamaica are meat, manure, hide, egg, milk and to a lesser

extent “storage for capital”. These products are important primarily for economic reasons but in

some instances they are also of social value (see Table 12). In Jamaica there are no differences

between different regions (parishes) in the importance of these products.

Species used in animal production

Table 13 shows the species used in animal production and the products obtained from each

Importance of Locally Adapted and Recently Introduced Breeds in products:

In Jamaica it appears that both Locally Adapted and Recently Introduced Breeds of animals are

important in the production of animal products (see Table 14).

43

Table 12: Animal products and their relative socio-economic importance

Product Relative Importance Economic Social Meat Egg Milk Capital store

High High High Low

High High High Low

Source: Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute, Jamaica Unit Table 13: Species and their respective products

Species Product Cattle Goat and sheep Pig Poultry

Manure Hide Milk Meat

Some capital storage Meat

(Manure) Hide

Some capital storage Meat

Manure (Biogas)

Meat Egg

Manure Source: Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute, Jamaica Unit Table 14: Relative importance of Locally Adapted and Recently Introduced Breeds in

animal products Production

Product Breeds Locally

Adapted Recently

Introduced Meat (all class)

Egg Milk

Capital store

High Low High High

High High Low Low

Source: Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute, Jamaica Unit

44

Import v. Export:

Data relating to import and export are highlighted in Table 15 .

Table 15: Imports

Year MEAT (Mt) Milk (Mt) Eggs (Million) Beef Pork Poultry Chevron/

mutton Total meat

Imports 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000

3 104 7 398 9 061 10 651 8 860 11 209 9 537 10 999 11 875 12 622 10 757

330 770

1 449 1 765 1 909 1 853 1 980 2 243 2 129 2 297 2 058

26 459 23 924 27 200 37 424 38 537 37 343 40 333 45 017 50 834 46 778 35 899

1 256 1 165 933

2 102 2 589 3 411 3 258 3 735 3 967 4 375 4 877

31 149 33 257 38 643 51 942 51 895 53 816 55 108 61 994 68 805 66 072 53 591

12 958 23 009 14 633 22 793 11 862 16 914 14 974 16 823 16 690 16 274 14 881

43.55 48.47 33.35 35.59 37.85 40.62 43.50 43.46 49.91 47.47 61.72

Source: Data Bank and Evaluation Division, Ministry of Agriculture

Export of Livestock & Livestock Products:

The livestock sub-sector has earned foreign exchange from the export of cattle from our local

beef and dairy breeds viz the Jamaica Hope, Jamaica Red Poll: Jamaica Brahman and the

Jamaica Black. The destinations were mainly South America and Caribbean countries. Table 16

gives detail of cattle export by breed over the period 1973 to 2001.

Table 16: Export of Cattle 1973 – 2001

BREED NO. EXPORTED

Jamaica Red Poll

Jamaica Hope

Jamaica Brahman

Jamaica Black

352

91

127

1

TOTAL 571

Source: Jamaica Livestock Association

45

Export of Semen:

Data on semen export are given in Table 16a. The data represents semen export from the Jamaica

Red Poll, the Jamaica Hope and the Jamaica Black. The destinations were Caribbean countries.

Table 16a: Semen Export 1982 – 2001

PERIOD NO. OF STRAWS

1982 - 2001 5 000 Source: Jamaica Livestock Association Export of other livestock Products:

Table 16b highlights the performance of the fledging livestock products export sub-sector

Table 16b: Export of Livestock Products 1990 – 2001 (Kg)

YEAR

B EEF

PORK

CHICKEN

MILK/CREAM

(UNSWEETENED)

1990 18 130 - 12 781 -

1991 - - 35 258 -

1992 6 073 - 89 394 53 448

1993 - - 125 366 85 259

1994 25 497 - 217 170 17 587

1995 18 418 130 291 938 13 861

1996 9 967 68 274 016 10 710

1997 372 - 238 574 140

1998 21 991 - 284 621 911

1999 1 992 673 230 810 18 461

2000 116 047 744 245 925 9 641

2001 245 625 - 223 454 -

Source: External Trade Statistics (1990 – 2001)

46

Local Production versus Import

Table 17 give details of local production versus imports for the period 1990 to 2000. Table 17: Local Production versus Import of livestock products

Year MEAT (Mt) Milk (Mt) Eggs (Million) Beef Pork Poultry Chevron/

mutton Total meat

Local Production 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000

15 020 16 050 18 210 15 640 15 790 16 650 15 640 14 540 14 250 14 690 14 040

7 390 4 740 5 930 7 050 7 250 6 690 6 550 6 510 6 830 6 870 6 620

51 940 53 440 52 470 45 200 44 950 45 370 55 140 59 310 63 170 72 930 77 120

660 620 640 620 510 540 550 530 550 580 560

75 010 74 850 77 250 68 510 68 500 69 250 77 880 80 890 84 800 95 070 98 340

32 177 3\29 530 39 951 35 616 25 860 28 053 26 957 28 099 28 389 28 298 26 214

124.89 110.20 114.20 100.00 102.00 110.00 116.20 129.53 148.27 137.75 106.60

Imports 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000

3 104 7 398 9 061 10 651 8 860 11 209 9 537 10 999 11 875 12 622 10 757

330 770

1 449 1 765 1 909 1 853 1 980 2 243 2 129 2 297 2 058

26 459 23 924 27 200 37 424 38 537 37 343 40 333 45 017 50 834 46 778 35 899

1 256 1 165 933

2 102 2 589 3 411 3 258 3 735 3 967 4 375 4 877

31 149 33 257 38 643 51 942 51 895 53 816 55 108 61 994 68 805 66 072 53 591

12 958 23 009 14 633 22 793 11 862 16 914 14 974 16 823 16 690 16 274 14 881

43.55 48.47 33.35 35.59 37.85 40.62 43.50 43.46 49.91 47.47 61.72

Source: Data Bank and Evaluation Division, Ministry of Agriculture

Per Capita Consumption:

The per capita meat consumption trend is highlighted in Table 18 hereunder.

47

Table 18: Per Capita meat consumption 1990 – 2000 Years Per Capita Meat

Consumption (Kg) 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000

56.9 54.5 56.7 60.1 60.7 63.8 66.8 71.8 74.1 77.0 71.6

Source: Data Bank and Evaluation Division, Ministry of Agriculture

It will be noted that per capita meat consumption in 2000 slipped by 7 percent to 71.6 kilograms

when compared with 1999. This downward movement reflects somewhat a fall off in imports

along with declining economic conditions among the lower quintile of the population.

Mean Consumption of Selected Dairy Products:

For the decade ending July 2000 milk production on commercial dairy farms averaged 28.7

million litres reaching a peak of 38.8 million litres of milk entering the formal trade in 1992.

The main products on the Jamaica market are fresh milk (pasteurised and homogenized)

sweetened condensed milk; whole skim milk powder (re constituted or solid as powder)

evaporated milk and cheese.

Total consumption of dairy products in 2000 was equivalent to approximately 153 million litres

of milk. Of this locally produced milk accounted for 17 percent of the demand. This level of

consumption correspond to a mean daily per capita consumption of approximately 160 millilitres

which compares with the minimum recommended intake of 200 ml (WHO).

In monetary terms the 2000 level of consumption of dairy products translated to a mean per

capita expenditure of J$2282 per year which represented a 7.5 percent of total food expenditure

(PIOJ/STATIN : JSLC 2000).

48

Table 19 set out details of per capita expenditure on dairy products for year 2000.

Table 19: Per Capita Expenditure on Milk and Dairy Products 2000 (J$)

Product Jamaica KMA Other Towns Rural Areas Liquid Milk Condensed/Evap. Powdered Milk Food Drink Butter Cheese Other Dairy

296 539 201 476 176 274 318

518 558 148 530 184 349 474

320 615 220 575 214 309 371

143 500 229 405 157 214 197

TOTAL 2282 2761 2623 1845 Source: Survey of Living Conditions (2000) STATIN KMA – Kingston Metropolitan Area

Given that consumption away from home represented an additional 27 percent of food

expenditure, the retail value of the market for dairy products in 2000 was estimated at J$7.5

billion. The share of this market by local dairy farmers is J$555 million or 7.4 percent, which

represent 2.8 percent of Gross Domestic Product.

Food Security Situation – risks of shortages and reasons:

The livestock sub-sector contributes to the achievement of Food Security with respect to animal

protein production for local consumption and export.

Between the periods 1999 to 2001 there has been significant increases in poultry, Chevon and

mutton production and marginal increase in pork production. Beef and veal, milk and egg

production recorded declines. In 2000 domestic meat production accounted for 59.3 percent of

total meat consumption (see Table 17). The percentage contribution of each type of meat to total

local production were:

Poultry - 70 Beef - 13 Pork - 6 Mutton/Chevon - 1 Fish - 10

Arising form these production trends the following levels of self-sufficiency in livestock

products were obtained in 2000.

49

Livestock Products Level of Self-Sufficiency (%)

Poultry

Pork

Beef

Mutton/Chevon

Eggs

Milk

68

76

57

9

69

17 Source: Data Bank and Evaluation Division, Ministry of Agriculture

The largely contractionary performance of the livestock sub-sectors has been precipitated by

circumstances both national and global. These include:

1. Implementation of the structural adjustment programme which effected:

(a) removal of tariffs and stamp duties on imports and also removal of import restrictions

(b) removal of credit subsidies

(c) removal of fertilizer subsidy

(d) private sector importers taking over from government importer monopoly

2. Globalization

3. Maintenance of imposition of production and export subsidies in exporter/trading partners. The confluence of these factors led to the uncompetitiveness of local livestock production and

the consequent increase in appetite for consumption of cheap imported livestock products. Local

production finally surrendered to the unabated influx of imports as farmers experienced problems

in marketing locally produced livestock and livestock products.

50

1.1 Animal Production Systems and Breed Involved Species and their respective Product and Product Use: Table 20 gives detail of species and their respective products Table 20: Species and their respective products

Species Product Product/Use Cattle Goat and sheep Pig Poultry

Manure Hide Milk Meat

Some capital storage

Meat (Manure)

Hide Some capital storage

Meat

Manure (Biogas)

Meat Egg

Manure

Organic fertilizer Leather

Ice Cream, fluid milk Beef

Chevon, mutton Organic fertilizer

Leather craft

Pork Fuel

Chicken

Hatching, table eggs Bio-fermented feed, organic

manure Source: Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute, Jamaica Unit Production Systems:

• Mixed farming system, the traditional system in which the animal component may be:

- Extensive system

- Semi-intensive system

• Monoculture:

- Extensive system

- Semi-intensive system

- Intensive system

Species used and importance of Locally Adapted and Recently Introduced Breeds:

Species used in the various production systems and the relative importance of Locally Adapted

and Recently Introduced Breeds are summarised in Table 21.

51

Table 21: Species used and relative importance of Locally Adapted and Recently/continually Introduced Breeds

Species Breeds System

Locally Adapted

Recently/ continually Introduced

Mixed farming Extensive system Semi-intensive system Monoculture Extensive system Semi-intensive system Intensive system

Cattle (beef)

Fowl (poultry) Goat Pig

Cattle (beef) Cattle (beef) Cattle (dairy)

Goat and sheep

Goat and sheep Pig

Poultry

High High High High

High High High High

High High

Low

Low High

High

High

Source: Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute, Jamaica Unit Impact of risk factors: Risk factors present in the primary animal production systems in Jamaica are presented in Table

22. The table shows that within production system risk factors could either be similar or different

for the different species involved.

52

Table 22: Risk factors associated with animal production systems Systems Species Rick factors Mixed farming Extensive system Semi-intensive system Monoculture Extensive system Semi-intensive system Intensive system

Cattle (beef)

Fowl (poultry) Goat Pig

Cattle (milk)

Cattle (beef) Cattle (beef) Cattle (dairy)

Goat and sheep

Goat and sheep

Pig

Poultry

Low risks Low risks

Praedial larceny Low risks Low risks

Drought, hurricane, disease, access to capital, markets Drought, hurricane, disease, access to capital, markets Drought, hurricane, disease, access to capital, labour,

markets, currency fluctuations Drought, hurricane, flood, diseases, access to capital,

labour, praedial larceny, dog predation

Drought, hurricane, flood, diseases, access to capital, labour praedial larceny, dog predation

Hurricane, flood, diseases, access to capital, labour, currency fluctuations

Heat stress, hurricane, flood, diseases, access to capital, labour, currency fluctuations

Source: Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute, Jamaica Unit

53

1.2 Conservation Activities/Programmes

Species and Breeds in Current Conservation Programmes:

The following are measures to maintain live animal breeding populations to ensure the continued

contribution of these resources to sustainable food and agricultural production now and in the

future. The measures are largely in situ conservation strategies but also include ex situ cryo

conservation of semen and embryos. Table 23 gives detail of programmes, breeds and species

involved.

Table 23: Programmes Breeds and Species

INSTITUTION/PROGRAMMES BREEDS/SPECIES OBJECTIVES • Public Sector

- Policies Dairy Board Act Antidumping Act Tariff barriers Veterinary Act Safeguard regulations

- Research & Development

Areas of focus Husbandry Nutrition

Breeding/Genetics

- Breed Society Recordation

- Dissemination Schemes Loan Bull Scheme Livestock Improvement Centres (Stud Stations) Artificial Insemination Service

Cattle, pigs, goat, poultry Native cattle breeds Pigs, goats, sheep Cattle and goat Goat, cattle pigs

To protect and defend local livestock biodiversity Breed preservation/ multi-plication and dissemination of genetic resource Selection /registration /pedigree production/ genetic evaluation Multiplication of the relevant breeds

54

Table 23 cont’d.

INSTITUTION/PROGRAMMES BREEDS/SPECIES OBJECTIVES Loan Buck Scheme Goat Commercialisation Programme Direct sale of seed stock (Pigs, cattle, sheep and goat) to

farmers.

- Agricultural Education/Institutions

- Veterinary Service

- Extension service

- Data Collection Ministry of Agriculture –

Data Bank Statistical Institute of Jamaica (Statin)

• Private Sector - Breed Societies

Cattle Breed Societies Goat Breeders

Society

- Broiler Production Companies

All classes of Livestock All classes of Livestock Cattle, goat sheep, pig and poultry Pigs, goat, sheep, cattle (Beef and Dairy) Poultry

Training in Animal Science and Husbandry techniques aimed at Livestock conservation and production. Disease prevention and eradication to reduce mortality and morbidity. Dissemination of research findings to preserve and develop the productivity of farm animals. Population census and production data collection to determine self sufficiency levels and inform production strategies Protection development, promotion and marketing of relevant breeds. Broiler Chicken research, contract rearing of Broiler chicken.

55

Table 23 cont’d.

INSTITUTION/PROGRAMMES BREEDS/SPECIES OBJECTIVES

- Commodity Group Jamaica Livestock Association - Pig, Beef, Dairy, Poultry Committees,

Poultry Farmers Association Egg Producers Association Pig Farmers Association

- Meat Processor (a) Poultry (b) Beef (c) Pig

- Feed Manufacturers - International Funding Agencies

- Jamaica Society For Prevention of Cruelty to Animal (JSPCA) - Livestock Practitioners

All classes of livestock All classes of livestock Cattle, pigs and goats All classes of livestock All classes of livestock

Advocate the interest of producers to ensure their survival. Processing and Marketing to ensure buoyancy of Livestock projects. Production of feed to ensure proper nutrition for growth production and reproduction Funding of livestock development projects. Promotion of humane treatment of livestock to ensure survival. Custodians of the livestock biodiversity seeing to their survival, reproduction and production.

56

1.3 Description of Breeds, their Uses and Technologies Employed: Different Breeds in Each Species and their Uses:

The different breeds of each specie are being used by farmers in food and agriculture production Cattle

- Dairy

Jamaica Hope - Being actively developed commercially and at the level of Research and Development Holstein - Cross breeding work being pursued aimed at improved

adaptation

- Brown Swiss - cross breeding work being pursued aimed at improved adaptation

Beef.

- Jamaica Red Poll -

- Jamaica Brahman - Being actively developed

- Jamaica Black -

Creole - No development activities being pursued

Goats

- Native -

- Anglo-Nubian -

- Boer - Being actively developed to improve

- Spanish - performance mainly for meat production

- Alpine - Milk production

- Toggenburg - Not emphasized at this time

Pigs - Large White -

- Landrace - Involved in research and development

- Duroc - activities for carcass and litter traits

- Hampshire -

57

Markets and Demands Influencing AnGR: Changes in demand for animal products for the period 1990 - 2000

Demand for all meat increased by 43 percent and that for milk increased by 29 percent up to

1993. Since 1993 demand as more or less stabilized. Demand for eggs during the same period

showed a declining trend up to 1994. Since 1994 egg production has shown an increasing trend

Table 24 gives detail of demand for animal products.

Table 24: Demand for animal products 1990 – 2000

Year MEAT (Mt) Milk (Mt) Eggs (Million) Beef Pork Poultry Chevron/

mutton Total meat

Total Demand 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000

18 124 23 448 27 271 26 291 24 650 27 859 25 177 25 539 26 125 27 312 24 797

7 720 5 510 7 379 8 815 9 159 8 543 8 530 8 753 8 959 9 167 8 678

78n399 77 364 79 670 82 624 83 487 82 713 95 473

104 327 114 004 119 708 113 019

1 916 1 785 1 573 2 722 3 099 3 951 3 808 4 265 4 517 4 955 5 437

106 159 108 107 115 893 120 452 120 395 123 066 129 988 142 884 153 605 161 142 151 931

45 135 52 539 54 584 58 409 37 722 44 967 41 931 44 922 45 079 44 572 41 095

168.4 158.67 147.55 135.59 139.85 150.62 159.70 172.99 198.18 185.22 168.32

Source: Data Bank and Evaluation Division, Ministry of Agriculture Effects of Trends on AnGR for each species and production System: Mixed Farming:

Extensive:

Plantation crop and beef cattle production, and Goat production on Marginal Mountain terrain. There has been a decline in focus on this production system due mainly to - increase land valuation and property tax. This had led to;

- decline in value of livestock and livestock products, animals are abandoned

- increase in urbanization consistent with population growth trends

- decline in demand for bovine meat products due to health concerns.

- increase incidence of praedial larceny.

58

These factors have negatively impacted both extensive bovine and caprine production systems, with the resulting decline in breeding herds. Semi-Intensive – Poultry, Pigs and Goat Production Systems: increased consumption pattern for these animal products has favoured this production system

in rural communities.

The Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) has placed significant emphasis on

goat and poultry production. The rural economy is being revitalized by the buoyancy in these

production systems as rural communities are participating fully in these growth areas of the

livestock industry. An important feature of the livestock component is that multiple species

production is well developed e.g. goats, pigs and poultry in one holding.

Non traditional crop production is integrated into the livestock component of this system. Small

ruminant and monogastric livestock production is gradually overtaking the dominance of bovine

production. This production system is attractive for its viability and sustainability.

Monoculture

Extensive and Semi-Intensive Production System:

There has been reduced emphasis on both Extensive and Semi-intensive system for cattle

production precipitated largely by:

- Reduced profitability of the cattle enterprise and the consequent downsizing and

diversification into more lucrative non-traditional crop production.

The causal factors for this down turn are:

- Importation of cheaper substitutes from developed countries, which benefit from trade

agreements, which reduce tariff and stamp duties on agricultural products.

- The rapid increase in the number of fast food outlets operating in the island which use

specialize cuts based on quality specification has contributed to the significant increase in

imported meats.

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- Locally produced meats rely heavily on imported feed ingredients and medicines hence

production cost remains high. This makes it difficult for local meats to compete with the

cheaper imports

- Increased urbanization

- Increased property tax

Intensive goat, pig and poultry production systems: This production system represent the growth centres of the livestock sub-sector. Projections for

growth of these sub-sectors are given in Table 25

Table 25: Projected Livestock Production 2002-2004

Products Units 2002 2003 2004

Pork

Chevon

Poultry - eggs

Poultry - meat

M/Kg

M/Kg

Million

M/Kg

6.1

0.65

130

87.9

6.6

0.07

144

90.0

6.9

0.75

150

92.2 Source: Economic and Planning Division, Ministry of Agriculture

Factors contributing to growth in these sub-sectors include:

(a) Strong growth in local consumption

- Poultry meat, eggs

(b) Government Policy Interventions – imposition of Tariff Barriers – Poultry:

- Reduction in uncustomed entry of livestock products

(c) Reduction in issue of import permits

(d) Formation of Farmers Organization to defend and promote growth

- Goat Breeders Society of Jamaica

- Pig Farmers Association

- Egg Producers Association

(e) Introduction of New Technology – Poultry Meat Production via Tunnel Technology (high density broiler production)

(f) Marketing strategies for Beef and other meat

1. Review of importation policy and tariff structure

60

- Increased stamp duty on imported beef from 46 percent to 86 percent.

2. Registration of meat importers and their facilities

3. Increase capacity of the Veterinary Division

- Biochemical laboratory (pesticides, residue testing laboratory) has been made

effective to test for antibiotics, heavy metals, pesticides and aflatoxin.

4. Legislation - meat and meat by-products Act (inspection and export) 1998. This

has enhanced efforts to export meat, meat products, and meat by-products.

It has strengthened the ability of Jamaican producers to comply with the

requirements of international organizations on issues of public health and food

safety.

5. Meat Grading – Meat grading committee has been formed in 1999 to establish

standard for grades of meat in keeping with International Standards Organization

(ISO).

6 Training – The services of a master butcher has been procured to give training in

professional slaughter and processing techniques

7 Research and Development– maintenance and improvement of breeding stock

8 Inter-agency collaboration – closer collaboration now exist between the

Veterinary Services Division, Revenue Protection Agency and Bureau of

Standards with respect to proper monitoring of imports and establishing proper

tandards for the meat industry.

(g) Introduction of Exotic Germplasm to improve efficiency of local production through

Farmers Organization and the Research Arm of the Ministry of Agriculture:

- Use of Kathardin Sheep and Boer Goat germplasm

- Dissemination of upgraded germplasm e.g. revolving doe programme to farmers

(h) Attractive local prices – Chevon and Pork

(i) Technical support – Farmers Organization in collaboration with the Research and

Development Division of the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Agricultural Development

Authority (RADA), Inter-American Institute for Cooperation in Agriculture (IICA),

Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI), Eastern Jamaica

Agriculture Support Project (EJASP), Feed Manufacturers, Pharmaceutical Manufacturers,

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International Training Institution, provides technical support via project development

model, seminars, field days, appraisals, livestock shows.

Dairy production although not as buoyant as poultry, pig and small ruminant production is

poised for growth consequent on a number of initiatives.

A. A review of the sector was done by the Commonwealth Secretariat (COMSEC.)

which made the following recommendations for its revitalization.

(i) Implementation of a milk enhancement programme aimed at increasing milk

production and productivity in the medium term to satisfy current demand levels

from local production of milk.

(ii) Establishment of a Cooperative Federation of milk producers as the primary

vehicle for implementation of the milk production enhancement programme.

(iii) Establishment of a Dairy Board as the Government primary mechanism for

overseeing the development of the dairy industry

Other Strategies to grow the Sector include:

(iv) Implementation of a school feeding programme (milk) as an avenue for

accelerated growth of the local sector

(v) Tariff reform to significantly increase import duties on milk powder which has

been legally established as a dumped product.

(vi) Strengthening the Research, Extension, Veterinary and Animal Breeding

Services.

Consequent on the above initiatives the sector is projected to grow as follows:

2002 2003 2004 Million Litres 26.23 27.55 28.93 Source: Economic and Planning Division, Ministry of Agriculture

62

1.4 Identification of problems in Conservation and Utilization as per the current Situation in your Country

Current Problems in Conservation and Utilization of AnGR: A. Conservation Insufficiency of breeding stock has been listed as a constraint. This is particularly true for

breeding females of the small animal species and it seriously affects local production of meat.

Suggested solutions to the problem include:

- Concerted efforts at conservation of local AnGR to provide continuous source of gene pool for exploitation

- Expansion of breeding and multiplication efforts, including establishment of rural breeding centres

- In the short term the importation of reasonably quality, compatible but inexpensive breeding females wherever possible and appropriate.

The following are some of the sub-sectorial challenges to be confronted to ensure sustainability

and competitiveness.

Sheep and Goat Production:

- Poor quality breeding stock and disorganized breeding programmes

- Limited technical and managerial capabilities of farmers

- Inadequate research and development programmes

- Weak institutional arrangements for transfer of technology

- Inadequate socio-economic environment for farmers’ development

- Limited value added to milk and meat production

- Loss of animals due to praedial larceny and dogs

- High import of chevon and mutton with the resultant tremendous scope for improvement in local production to substitute for imports

- Development of technologies to further lower the cost of production and enhance competitiveness and to move the sub-sector to a level of commercial viability

- Expansion of the national herd/flock to meet local demand.

63

In rising to these challenges the sub-sector can take advantage of the following opportunities.

1. High and increasing demand for chevon – only 10.3 percent of this demand is met from

2. Existence of large indigenous population, which can be genetically manipulated to realize incremental production, aimed at import substitution and ultimately self-sufficiency.

3. Goat and sheep production is more attractive than other livestock operations because the gross margin is higher and the productive cycle is more dynamic

- Large-scale goat and sheep rearing is profitable if land and fencing cost are not excessive. Several operations have demonstrated that small stock rearing is responsive to good management and innovation

- Praedial larceny is a serious problem to goat and sheep rearing. The best deterrent is to locate in areas where agricultural theft is less of a problem

- High rate of multiplication and so potential for rapid population growth

- The existence of vast renewable feed resource on marginally hilly areas ideally suited for goat production

- Potential for value added products, viz specialized meat cuts, cheese, milk yoghurts, craft skins, organic fertilizer

- Existence of a farmers’ organization, viz the Goat Breeders Society of Jamaica to drive the sub-sector through the expansion phases.

Pig Production: The major challenges facing the pig sub-sector are:

- Securing and maintaining quality breeding stock

- Development of an appropriate and cost effective ration for the sub-sector

- Maintaining a disease-free status

- Industry planning to coordinate production and demand to minimize the incidence of gluts and shortages

- Development of meat standards for pork

- Timely marketing of slaughtered animals

- Correcting misconceptions about pork through marketing and consumer education programmes

- Adoption of sound environmental practices on the management of pig production units

- Further development of value-added products

- Meeting rising standards for food safety

64

Opportunities to be exploited to enhance pork production includes:

- Existence of a demand gap to be satisfied from local capacities

- Consumer preference moving from cuts to more value added fresh and processed products

- Processing techniques and innovative packaging to adopt to new market trends

- Development of alliances between producers, processors and distributors

- Export potential within CARICOM market for genetic material and meat products to be tapped

- Use of artificial insemination to upgrade the gene pool of the national stock

- The existence of a farmers’ organization, viz the Jamaica Pig Farmers Association to pilot the sub-sector towards the goal of self-sufficiency.

Poultry: The poultry sub-sector although experiencing buoyancy is not without challenges, which are

impediments in the thrust towards self-sufficiency and full exploitation of the potential for export

of chicken meat.

Foremost among these challenges are:

1. The massive increase in the importation of cheap cuts of chicken meat which is threatening the survival of the industry

2. Penetration of export markets – the existence of non tariff barriers are preventing entry to the USA, which is one of the largest export market

3. Supporting the viability of small producers who account for about 30 percent of the industry

4. Improving standards of sanitation and handling so as to better satisfy demand

5. Conducting an annual poultry industry survey to produce data for proper planning of production and marketing

Opportunities to be exploited by the sub-sector are:

1. Existence of a demand gap which can be satisfied from local capacities

2. Life style changes favouring chicken consumption

3. Consumer preferences moving to value added fresh and processed products

4. Increase in number of fast food franchises and local outlets

5. Potential for export to CARICOM

65

Dairy: The challenges constraining the growth of the dairy sub-sector include:

1. A drive to reduce the cost of production and marketing in order to put the sub-sector on a globally competitive footing

2. Reduction in the import of dairy products through implementation of appropriate policy and tariff reform. This would encourage self-sufficiency in local milk production and the development of rural wealth and employment in a sustainable manner.

3. Increasing the demand and consumer awareness of dairy products through:

(a) Marketing and promotion of local milk and milk products as a nutritional beverage for all especially in the feeding of adolescents and the aged while reducing the dependency on imports.

(b) Product differentiation and segmentation to improve marketing and increase consumption.

4. Increase production through increased herd size, herd numbers and cow productivity

5. Farm gate and retail price stability consistent with rational milk price determination

6. Generation and dissemination of technologies to

- Reduce mortality

- Improve reproductive performance

- Reduction in age of first calving and calving interval

7. Creation of an infrastructure to handle all locally produced milk

8. Training and organization of small farmers to manage their own enterprises

Opportunities to be exploited in confronting these challenges include:

1. Existence of a substantial demand gap which can be bridged by local production

2. Low per capita consumption of dairy products especially among the poor

3. A school feeding programme which has scope for expansion

4. Production differentiation to satisfy growing demand for value added products

5. Existence of under utilized processing capacities to handle incremental production

6. Existence of a local dairy breed with untapped genetic potential for milk production

7. Potential for export of semen and live animals consistent with the requisite performance recording programmes

66

Beef: The beef sub-sector is challenged by the following forces: The foremost challenge is for beef farmers to survive the unfavourable economic conditions

under which they operate in order to preserve the valuable production base.

- Having the entire supply chain working together to ensure maximum growth and international competitiveness

- Meeting rising standards for food safety

- Meeting import specification on a reliable consistent basis

- Increase orientation towards client service, providing customized products rather than commodities.

- A confident trusting producer/processor/distributor relationship.

- Making beef into a convenience food

- Ignorance in preparation of beef cuisines

- Reduction in consumption of red meat due to perceived health risks and negative impact of the outbreaks of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) and Foot and Mouth Disease in Europe on consumption of beef

- Illegal import of beef and beef products

Opportunities for beef production

- Construction of a combined abattoir-aging, processing and storage facility that meets international standard

- Consumer preferences moving from cuts to more value added fresh and processed products

- Process techniques and innovative packaging to adapt to new market trends

- New product development to meet peculiar needs

- Opportunities to develop alliances between producers, processors and distributors to be identified and developed.

Opportunities in organized breeding

Jamaica has several advantages for the development of tropical pedigree cattle

Jamaica has three good breeds of beef cattle

- Jamaica Red Poll

- Jamaica Black

- Jamaica Brahman

67

Each of these breeds gains weight well in the tropical climate

- Jamaica has an established beef industry

- Jamaica is relatively free of cattle diseases

- Jamaica is a good location for export to other tropical countries notably the Caribbean and Latin America

The Jamaica beef sub-sector is interested in establishing Jamaica as source of tropical pedigree

stock. The major difficulty is inadequate documentation.

Constraints to data gathering on ANGR

- Lack of animal recording schemes. This must be encourage as a national priority

- The collateral benefits of animal recording should be recognised as a catalyst in rural community development, social and environmental stability and national food security. These benefits must be documented

- High cost of equipment necessary to take measurements – livestock scales, systems of identification

- Inadequate institutional support. Technical capabilities must be enhanced in the following areas:

• field level technical support

• technical staff

• research capabilities

• data analysis

- Inadequate budgetary support

- Lack of premium price for seed stock of genetic superiority – no incentive for breeding farms

- Low level of farmer participation at the planning and implementation stages of animal recording

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B. Other Factors affecting Utilization

External International Factors - The adverse marketing environment, which result from the policies of globalization and trade liberalization

Distorted trade/marketing - Cheap imported animal products

- Shrinking local markets

Finance/Tax regime - Prohibitive increase in interest rate and property tax Inputs - High input cost, unavailability and/or high

cost and low productivity of labour in addition to change in work ethics manifested in segment of the labour force

- Disharmony with input cost and output cost Support Services - Decline in the level of services to the livestock

sector resulting in insufficiency resources to support research and development, livestock advisory services and veterinary care.

Allocation of Resources - Shifting of basic resources to other activities Post Production - Lack of value added to products Social - Praedial larceny, trends in diet Weather Conditions - drought, floods, hurricanes/storms

69

2.0 ANALYZING CHANGING DEMANDS ON NATIONAL LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION

2.1 Production and its Implication for Future National Policies, Strategies

and Programmes Related to AnGR Past Policy: General

The utilization of animal genetic resources is guided by the Food and Nutrition Policy of the

country, which is designed to achieve the following objectives

(i) Ensure the availability of good quality foods in sufficient quantities to meet the nutrient needs of the population at affordable prices.

(ii) Ensure accessibility of food for those who are economically disadvantaged

(iii) Ensure education of the population regarding the development of good/whole some nutritional habit

(iv) Maintain good food safety and food standards

(v) Ensure nutritional care – preventative as well as curative for groups identified as vulnerable

In order to ensure that the nation is reasonably well fed with the least demand on foreign

exchange, the government through the appropriate agencies will “seek to stimulate local

production of energy and protein yielding foods”.

Policies which affected the Agricultural and livestock Sectors are: 1) Implementation of the Structural Adjustment Programme.

Pre-amble on the SAP

(a) removal of tariffs and stamp duties on imports and also removal of import restrictions

(b) removal of credit subsidies

(c) removal of fertilizer subsidy.

(d) Private sector importers taking over from government importer monopoly

2) Effect of Globalization – removal of or reduction in tariff barriers 3) Maintenance or imposition of production and export subsidies in exporter/trading

partners

70

The confluence of these factors led to the uncompetitiveness of local livestock production

and the consequent increase in appetite for consumption of cheap imported livestock

products. Local production finally surrendered to the unabated influx of imports as farmers

experience problems in marketing locally produced livestock and livestock products.

The emergence of the following socio-economic concerns became evident in this scenario.

- Technical co-efficient of production were compromised by the need to adopt survival strategies

- Upkeep of livestock production infrastructure became neglected

- Curtailment in livestock breeding programmes

- Slaughter of capital stock

- Decline in national herds/flock and decrease in level of production

- Hazard of unattended animals causing damage to crops and accidents on highways

- Loss of employment and income to rural communities

- Rural urban drift increased

- Disgruntlement among employees over low wages

- Insolvency of farmers due to

* increasing cost of input

* inability to market livestock on a timely basis

* prices on offer for livestock products below cost of production

71

2.2 Analysing Future Demands and Trends Recent Trends in Livestock Production For the period 1990 –2000 the following general observations were made. Overall meat

production had shown an increasing trend throughout the ‘90’s. However meat prices on the

international market since 1997 have placed the local livestock industry under pressure as

sluggish demand and importation of cheaper substitutes from developed countries wreaked

havoc with the industry. The removal of stamp duties on certain categories of meats in 1993

under the Common External Tariff agreement encouraged excessive import of all kinds of meat.

This, along with the outbreak of the Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) “Mad Cow”

disease in 1996, followed by an outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease in European countries,

resulted in the fall-out in consumption of meats, particularly beef. The rippling effects of the

above-mentioned constraints plunged the local meat industry into stagnation.

Beef production has stagnated for the past four to five years precipitating a 6 percent decline in

the sub-sector for the period. The Pork sub-sector recorded cyclical fluctuation in output. This

reaction throughout the period is a reflection of sharp expansion and contraction due to the

vulnerability of the industry, as large numbers of farmers leave the Industry in time glut and re-

enter in time of shortages. Although the price of pork rose sevenfold over the period, the high

cost of inputs and fierce competition from imported pork products have caused downsizing in

breeding herds thus limiting the potential for expansion in the output.

The lack of modern slaughtering facilities hampered the production of pork for export in

accordance with the Meat, Meat Products and By-products Act of 1999. These factors have

contributed to the 10 percent decline experienced by the pork sub-sector over the period.

The performance of the Poultry sub-sector continues to be good and the country is moving

towards full self-sufficiency in broiler meat. The first half of the period 1990 – 1994 saw

fluctuations in production. However, increased consumer demand complemented with massive

injection of capital by the two major players in the industry since 1995 resulted in constant

72

increase in poultry meat production. As a consequence the poultry industry recorded a 14 percent

increase in production over the period.

Chevon and mutton production for the period remained somewhat stable with an estimated 500

metric tonnes average over the period. The 31 percent increase in production of all meats was

attributable largely to the consistent increase in poultry meat production.

Egg production for the period showed a trend of increase which peaked in 1998. Sluggish

market demand followed the high production in 1998, and triggered a 7.1 percent decline in 1999

followed by a further 23.05 percent decline in 2000. An overall 14 percent decline in egg

production was recorded for the period.

During the period 1994 – 2000 the dairy sub-sector had undergone serious pressure as reductions

of import duties, and increased global output of milk resulted in large-scale importation of cheap

milk solids. Consequently the dairy industry slumped into decline and stagnation. The high point

in milk production was 39951 metric tonnes in 1992. Production started to decline in 1993

through to 1994; a 35 percent decline was recorded between 1992 and 1994. Stagnation in

production has been experience since 1995 (see Table 25).

During the period 1990 – 2000 meat production with the exception of chevon/mutton

consistently contributed a greater proportion of total demand than imports. However, since 1993

the level of imports has risen significantly, thus narrowing the gap between local production

contribution and the contribution from imported meats. This outcome is highlighted in Table 26.

73

Table 26: Percentage Contribution of Meat Production and Imported Meat to Total Meat Consumption each year

YEARS 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1995 1993 1992 1991 1990 BEEF

Production Imports PORK

Production Imports CHEVON/ MUTTON

Production Imports POULTRY Production Imports FISH Production Imports

57 43

76 24

9 91

68 32

33 67

54 46

75 25

12 88

61 39

31 69

55 45

76 24

12 88

55 45

41 59

57 43

75 25

12 88

57 43

44 56

62 38

78 22

14 86

58 42

51 49

60 40

79 21

14 86

59 41

52 48

73 27

79 21

16 84

54 46

41 59

69 31

75 25

23 77

55 45

39 61

89 11

89 11

41 59

66 34

44 56

87 13

94 6

35 65

61 39

42 58

83 17

96 4

34 66

56 44

41 59

Source: Data Bank and Evaluation Division, Ministry of Agriculture The Percentage Contribution Of Each Meat Type to Meat Production: Generally the poultry industry has been the largest contributor to domestic meat production.

Throughout the decade it maintained an upward trend in its percentage contribution ranging from

53 percent in 1995 to 70 percent in 2000, approximately 5.5 times greater than that of beef, the

second major contributor to meat production. Pork contributed an average of 7.0 percent to total

meat production while chevon/mutton maintained 1 percent throughout the entire decade (see

Table 27).

74

Table 27: Comparison of Percentage Contribution of Each Types of Meat to Meat Production

YEARS 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990All Types

Beef

Pork

Chevon & Mutton Poultry

Fish

100

13

6

1

70

10

100

14

6

1

68

11

100

14

7

1

63

15

100

15

7

1

60

17

100

16

7

1

58

18

100

17

9

1

53

20

100

20

9

1

57

11

100

20

9

1

58

12

100

21

7

1

60

11

100

19

6

1

63

11

100

17

9

1

61

12

Source: Data Bank and Evaluation Division, Ministry of Agriculture

75

2.3 ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES IN THE CONSERVATION, USE AND DEVELOPMENT OF AnGR

Sheep And Goat Sub-sector: Programmes to be developed:

1. Implementation of Programmes to rapidly augment the number of breeding animals aimed at

enhancing the availability of quality stock for commercial Production – an annual population

build up of 30 percent is envisaged.

Strategic plan to be adopted:

- Introduce and evaluate new breeds

- Develop and evaluate under different management system for improved multipurpose crossbred types.

- Multiply the appropriate breeds and breed types for distribution to producers.

The native goats to be given emphasis in the upgrading /multiplication plan - Increase retention of doe kids for breeding. A retention rate of 75 percent is suggested

- Improvement of reproductive performance through

o improved prolificacy of 1.7 – 1.75

o reduction in kidding interval to 8 – 9 months

- Reduction in kid mortality to 10-12 percent

This development programme will operate through existing stock distribution programmes viz Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) Goat Commercialisation Programme and community-based

projects sponsored and/or managed by CARDI, IICA/JBI, Alpart, EJASP, RIDGE to Reef,

RADA/SESP

2. Implementation of programme to improve productivity

Strategic Plan

- Introduction and evaluation of new and existing breeds with managed breeding programmes inclusive of A.I. to increase carcass size, dressing percentage, meat to bone ratio and reduce the effects of inbreeding.

- Transfer of resultant technology to producers.

76

3. Development of cost effective and sustainable production systems to enhance competitiveness and move the sub-sector to a level of commercial viability.

Strategic Plan

- Develop forage dominant husbandry and feeding system

- Develop improved production systems for breeder, weaner and fattener herds;

- Feedlot development to be given serious attention.

- Investigate pest and disease management

- Establish Industry best practice bench marks for production enterprises.

- Transfer of improved technology to producers.

4. Conduct market surveys for small ruminants and their products Strategic Plan The current practice of marketing mostly whole or half carcasses should be altered over time for

primal and retail weights and value added products.

1. Investigate opportunities to increase the use of existing and value added products

2. Develop state-of-the-art slaughter facilities

3. Implement training programmes in post and anti-mortem handling procedures and meat cutting techniques

5. Development of sustainable human resource base for the sub-sector. Strategic Plan

- Develop linkages and foster alliances with other R& D Institutions

- Encourage profession development/ technical capabilities through workshops,

- seminars, release of research papers, extension bulletins, fact sheets, newsletters, print and electronic media releases and handbooks

- Collaborate effort with Caribbean Agricultural Information system (CAIS)

- Encourage and assist with the formation of producer groups

- Promote the participation in the Industry of young and technology receptive (“New farmers”) producers.

6. Need for Ministry of Agriculture to review draft document on Small Ruminant Policy. Request to be made for Policy adoption

77

7. National Identification system to be implemented to aid in the fight against praedial larceny 8. Breeders Society Activity - The work of the Goat Breeders Society Jamaica to be promoted Pigs: Development of the Pig Industry will be based on cross breeding and pure breeding programmes

within the existing population involving the Landrace, Large White and Duroc. The

development programme envisage the importation of semen and live animals of these breeds.

The general approach will be to improve the three breeds by selection for the productive traits of

carcass quality, inclusive of decrease back fat thickness, growth and feed efficiency and then to

include these improved breeds in cross breeding programmes to improve reproductive

performance and hence pre-weaning traits.

Selection of animals for the national breeding herd should therefore be based on the following

criteria.

- Feed efficiency

- Body length

- Carcass quality – backfat thickness, cut out, rib eye area

- Number of functional teats

- Fertility levels

- Mothering ability

This general approach should be incorporated into a coordinated national breeding programme

having the following components.

- Maintenance of a nucleus herd and the operation of a performance test station at Bodles. The main function of this component would be to provide tested boars and gilts to commercial breeders.

- Maintenance of commercial herds. The main function will be multiplication and further dissemination in addition to fattening to satisfy market demand

- Grading Programme – This will form a valuable tool for Swine improvement on farms as well as accurate measure of the value of pig carcasses in the market place.

78

The specifics of the strategic plan for viability of the Pig/Pork sub-sector include: 1. Improvement in the size and quality of the National herd.

- Implementation of an immediate and continued comprehensive pig survey

- Importation of genetic material, semen and live animals, to produce a more competitive product through improved litter size, growth rate and carcass quality

- Cross breeding, multiplication and dissemination of improved genetics to Producers.

- Collaboration with the Veterinary Division to eliminate and eradicate some endemic diseases that are hindering the development of the sub-sector.

- Provision of training in proper management practices to farmers and farmer groups to facilitate rearing of healthy stock. This could also include the Production Manual on standard procedures for pig rearing

2. Collaborative effort between MOA and feed companies to formulate and develop more

appropriate and cost effective ration for the sub-sector

3. Review of pig slaughtering facilities with the view of enforcing meat inspection and sanitary

standards as well as implementing mandatory HACCP programmes to meet international

standards of slaughtering and food safety. Collaborative effort between Ministry of Health,

and the Veterinary Services Division of the Ministry of Agriculture will be necessary to

accomplish this proposal

4. Development of marketing and promotion programmes to dispel myths and increase

consumption

5. Establishment of a national grading system

6. Development of environmentally friendly productions systems

- Resuscitation of biogas production projects as an approach to waste management Dairy Sub-sector: An expanded . dairy sector envisages 80.000 dairy cows producing 600.000 litres per day from

50.000 hectares of pasture land.

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Strategic Plan 1. Twenty (20) percent reduction in cost of production

- Expansion in utilization of forage based production systems inclusive of pasturage and conserved forage

- Use of local agricultural by-products in zones where its use is cost effective

- Judicious use of concentrate supplementation to offset seasonal herbage deficits and to support high stocking rates of Jamaica Hope cows identified to be or having the potential to be good converters of local feed into milk

- Reduction in lending rates to 9 percent per annum to dairy farmers for dairy development project

2. Increase local production

- Immediate and continued survey to determine productive dairy population

- Increase animal numbers through multiplication, and selection for productivity

o Establishment of new farms based on the cooperative model

o Accelerate the implementation of the Emancipation Lands Programme to settle 250 – 300 trained young dairy farmers equipped with the technology to compete with international market place.

o Funding of Research and Development Programmes to:

- Execute milk recording and progeny testing schemes

- Generate improved breeding stock

- Execute selection programmes to enhance availability of breeding stock of proven production potential

- Disseminate sires of improved genetic potential through the Sire Service programmes of Artificial Insemination, Loan Bull Scheme and Livestock Improvement Centres

- Resuscitate the national revolving heifer programme

- Generate and disseminate technologies to reduce:

(i) Calf mortality to 10 percent

(ii) Improve reproduction performance through lowering conception rates (1.6 services/conception and reduced calving interval, 12-14 months)

(iii) Reduce age at first calving by appropriate calf rearing to enable breeding at 15-18 months

- Incentive to reduce slaughter rate of potentially productive females

- Reduce competition from imported milk solids

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o Enactment and implementation of the appropriate policy to reduce import of milk solids

- A tariff regime that places the appropriate duty on milk solids could be removed over a period of five years.

o Imposition of a ban on the importation of luxury dairy products e.g. ice-cream.

- Stimulate Milk Consumption

o Increase demand for dairy products through marketing and promotion to target groups

- The poor should be targeted as a potentially strong demand reservoir

A price competitive blend could be formulated for this vulnerability segment of society

- The school feeding programme to be expanded

o Improved marketing strategy by Jamaica Dairy Farmers Federation

- Product differentiation and segmentation

- Direct marketing to consumer

- Increase advertisement

- Increase capacity to handle the bulk of local production

- In collaboration with principals in the industry and requisite technical expertise, mechanism for rational milk price determination and stabilization should be pursued.

- Creation of the infrastructure to handle all locally produced milk

- Expansion of HEART/NTA dairy worker and management training programme.

Beef: Strategic Plan for expansion of Beef Production and Consumption: 1. Improve price competitiveness of locally produced beef

- Pasture development subsidy for five years or special low interest rate window at Development Banks for accelerated pasture establishment

- Property tax rebate on lands utilized for livestock production

- Research and Development to facilitate technological advances aimed at reducing cost of production

Areas of focus should be:

- Husbandry and Nutrition Research Utilization of agro-industrial by-products to be an area of focus

- Forage Evaluation and Utilization

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- Establishment of an Animal Breeding and Genetics Laboratory to facilitate development of database to generate information on

- Pedigree – parental/performance

- Performance – individual/progeny

- Estimated breeding values

- Validation of breeding values and performance records

The database will facilitate the selection process to identify sires of outstanding merit to convert

inputs into beef of competitive price. These sires will be allowed to impact the population

through the various sire service programmes.

This breed development strategy will be done in collaboration with the Breed Societies. It is also

pivotal to improve the quality of animals and beef, thus allowing for standardization of prime

cuts for various markets and reducing the variation in size and quality. Such development will

also enable support for the production of high quality semen and embryo.

- The performance testing programme started at the Agricultural Development Corporation’s

(ADC’s) Minard Estate should be restarted and expanded into a national programme. Data generated at the Content Agricultural Products and Bog Walk slaughter facilities should be

made available to the animal breeding and genetics laboratory for analyses.

- The meats laboratory should be resuscitated to do carcass studies to ascertain the optimal

stage to market consistent with market demand and cost containment

- Provision of advisory services in breeding, husbandry, and nutrition.

Strengthen animal health capability to maintain freedom from epizootic, and other animal

diseases, which hinders cost effective production.

2. Implication of a comprehensive animal survey to determine

- Number of beef animals in Jamaica

- Land area currently utilized in beef production

- Area in improved pasture, commons, ruinate

- Ascertain factors influencing variation in production

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3. Grow beef production and consumption

- Beef farmers must operate in a market environment and be guaranteed a reasonable return on investment

- Review import policy and tariff structure in order to implement a fair trading system for producers

- Maximize capacity for export of beef, beef products as well as seed stock, semen and embryos

* Evaluate and initiate the establishment of a modern state-of-the arts meat processing facility that meets international standard

* Implement a national grading system with major focus on “tenderness” attributes aimed at improving the eating experience of locally produced beef

* Implement the training of local butchers in the slaughter, cutting and presentation of products.

- Expand into and sustain new local markets

* Engender the collaboration between RADA Home Economics and the Private Sector for development and preparation of recipes for consumers

- Further processing of beef to improve convenience of preparation

* A major goal is the development of processing plants designed to meet health and food safety standards

* Added value to primary products via processing/fabrication/agro-industrial initiatives e.g. canned beef, jerk beef.

* Processing must be creative to facilitate export of frozen beef, beef patties, hamburgers to CARICOM

- Control of praedial larceny

- Development of a national identification system for livestock aimed at traceability and disease control

- Provision of support services

- Veterinary a) Monitoring of health status b) Expansion of the A.I. Services c) Implementation of the national identification programme

- Extension a) Reorientation of officers to provide necessary technical guidance in

livestock - Data Bank and Evaluation

a) Implementation of continuous livestock survey through collaboration with RADA

- Marketing and Promotion a) Promotional campaign for livestock products

83

b) Upgrading of meat outlet – re cutting and display c) Support for Minard Livestock Show and Beef Festival to stimulate interest

in beef production and consumption especially among the youths.

Poultry: The major development thrust is to bring the non-contractual poultry producers comprising 30-

35 percent of the sub-sector into organized poultry production consistent with public health and

food safety standards.

84

2.4 Outlining Future National Policy, Strategy and Management Plans For the Conversation, Use and Development of AnGR

National Approach to AnGR Conservation AnGR Beef Cattle Policy Initiative - Construction of modern meat processing plant capable of meeting international standards and

for expanding the list of value added products.

- The rationalization and upgrading the traditional network and meat slaughtering and handling facilities islandwide with a view to bring them up to international standard.

- Improvement in carcass quality of animals produced as raw material for the new processing facility.

- Development of feed supplements from local material aimed at reducing production cost.

- Research and Development to facilitate technological advances aimed at cost effective production.

Areas of focus

* Husbandry and utilization research

- Utilization of Agro-industry by-products

* Forage evaluation and utilization.

* Establishment of an animal breeding and genetics, laboratory to facilitate development of database to generate information on:

- Pedigree/parental performance. - Performance – individual/progeny. - Estimated breeding values. - Validation of breeding values and performance records.

The database will facilitate the selection process to identify sires of outstanding merit to convert

input into beef at competitive prices . These sires will be allowed to impact the beef cattle

population through the various sire service programmes viz loan bull scheme, stud station

artificial insemination.

This development strategy will be done in collaboration with the breed societies.

85

The performance testing programmes started by the Ministry of Agriculture to b revitalize and

expanded into a national programme.

Dairy Cattle Policy Initiative The Ministry of Agriculture in collaboration with the dairy Farmers Federation and other

industry stake holders will pursue a number of initiatives that are presently in various stages of

planning and implementation. Foremost of these are as listed below:

1. The implementation of the Jamaica Milk Marketing Project.

- The United States Agency is supporting this project for International Development (USAID) under the PL480 programme. The main objective of the project is to reduce the retail margin on milk from $16 - $22 per litre to about $10 per litre. The main components of the project include:

* Establishment of a central dairy processing plant;

* Establishment of milk collection and chilling centres;

* Acquisition of milk collection tankers and vans;

* Establishment of retail outlets; and

* Promotion and publicity of locally produced milk.

2. Training of industry workers.

A co-operation agreement was reached with HEART/NTA to train workers and owners in the dairy industry in specific areas of management, the goals of which is the creation of 7,000 – 10,000 additional jobs.

3. The acquisition of additional milking equipment. To establish kiosks in rural areas for the

distribution of farmers’ milk.

4. Establishment of a Milk Production Enhancement Scheme geared towards enhancing production and productivity in the dairy industry is a complementary intervention to the Milk Marketing Project. Elements of this programme include:

- Pasture development designed to improve production of grass and fodder crops as a viable substitute for feed concentrate. The strategy is to encourage lowering the cost of milk production through greater reliance on pastures rather than feed concentrates.

- An expanded Artificial Insemination (AI) services to better meet the needs of the dairy farmers.

- The school feeding programme which consumes some seven million litres of milk annually is a target market that the local industry has began to exploit. This will continue over the planned period.

86

Pigs Policy Initiative Over the medium term, the Research Unit of the Ministry of Agriculture will embark on a

number of initiatives to alleviate the problems and to develop the industry to international

standards.

These initiatives include:

- The use of Artificial Insemination to upgrade the gene pool of the stock. This will help to eliminate the problem of inbreeding and its associated difficulties.

- The importation of genetic material (semen) to increase the size and growth rate of the herd, decrease the back fat content of the carcass and to increase the feed conversion ratio of the animals.

The development programme for the local pig industry over the medium term will include the

following:

- Adoption of sound environmental practices in the appropriate siting of Piggery units in the future development of the industry;

- Efforts will be made to work closely with the feed companies to formulate and develop more appropriate and cost effective rations for the industry;

- The Research Unit will work in close collaboration with the Veterinary Division to eliminate and eradicate some endemic diseases that are hindering the development of the industry;

- The Research Unit will also assist farmers and farmer groups with the proper management practices that are necessary for the development of a healthy stock. This will take the form of a Manual on Standard Procedures for Pig Rearing;

- The preparation of standards for meat which will include pork (to be done by the Bureau of Standards)

- A pig-breeding unit will be established to provide quality stocks while attempting to influence the levels of production annually to minimize the incidence of gluts and shortages.

Goat Policy Initiative The medium term objectives for this sub-sector are to achieve increased productivity and output

of chevon at competitive prices. Collaboration with regional and international agencies will

continue in the medium term. Goat Commercialisation Projects which is being implemented by

the Ministry of Agriculture. This will continue over the planned period; the main element of the

project are:

87

- A programme to rapidly augment the number of national breeding does;

- The establishment of post-harvest and marketing of the planned output;

- The development of technologies to further lower the cost of production and enhance competitiveness and to move the industry to a level of commercial viability;

- Further expansion of the breeding stock through a stock distribution programme;

- Production of commercial goat ration;

- Feed lot development, slaughter and processing of goat flesh;

- Promotion of specialized meat cuts through training in grading and cutting of meat.

88

3.0 STATE OF NATIONAL CAPACITIES AND FUTURE CAPACITY BUILDING REQUIREMENTS Description of Information Currently Available for AnGR Sector – the and Extent of information Available:

Information status on AnGR

The available information base on AnGR is highlighted in Table 28

Table 28: Available information on ANGR

Species Breed Popula-tion Data

Geographical Distribution

Genetic Composition

Breed Characteriza-tion

Performance Data

Breed Society Activities

Research and Development Data

Level of Introgression

Level of Adaptation

Endangered or Not

Cattle

Jamaica Hope Jamaica Red Poll Jamaica Brahman Jamaica Black Non-descript

Available

Available

Not Available Unknown

Not Available Not available

Available Not available

Available Not applicable

Available Not applicable

Available Unknown

Available

Available

Goat

Indigenous Spanish Anglo-Nubian Boer Alpine Toggenburg

Available

Available

Unknown

Not Available

Work in progress Available

Available

Not applicable Available

Available

Available

Available

Available

Sheep

Indigenous Barbados Black Belly Suffock Dorper Katahdin

Available

Available

Unknown Not Available

Unknown Available

Limited data available

Not applicable

Available

Available

Available

Available

Swine

Indigenous Large White Landrace Duroc Hampshire

Available

Available

Unknown Not Available

Not available

Unknown Available

Not applicable

Not applicable Available

Unknown Available

Available

Available

Poultry IndigenousExotic (Meat Exotic (Egg)

Available

Available

Not available

Not available

Unknown Available

Not applicable

Not applicable Available

Unknown Available

Available

Unknown Available

Information Gaps in the use and development of ANGR

Gaps are identified in

Output measurement - Production data gathering and analysis

Dairy Cattle:

Lack of a sustained national milk production recording scheme aimed at progeny testing

and estimation of breeding values within the established dairy breed

Beef Cattle:

Maintenance of annual performance testing on a national scale to aid selection and

breeding value determination within the native beef breeds.

- Characterization and evaluation of indigenous types

Pig, Goat and Sheep:

- Characterization and evaluation of indigenous types

- Breed and breed cross evaluation

- Genetic evaluation – meat and milk

Poultry:

- Characterization and evaluation of indigenous type

Product quality measurement

- Meat – beef, mutton, chevon

Carcass evaluation studies to address market trends through breeding and

selection

- Milk – measurement of components of milk yield viz: protein and butterfat

measurements on a national scale

Adaptation measurements for recently introduced breeds

- More wide ranging indicators of adaptation needs to be measured

90

Life history traits for indigenous breeds

Recording for genetic improvement in pigs, sheep and goats

- Pedigree recording through herd book registration.

Demographic data gathering

- population by breed

- population trends

- geographical distribution of population

- extraction rates

- levels of introgression

Enabling Policies and Legislations:

- Artificial Insemination:

The animals (Artificial Insemination) Control Act provides guideline enabling the proper

use of material (semen) which could adversely affect future generations of livestock.

- Research and Development:

The Animal Control of Experiments Act seeks to regulate /control the experimentation

and breeding of animals and the development of herds of stock.

- Scientific Research Council:

The Scientific Research Council Act seeks to undertake, foster and coordinate scientific

research in the island and to encourage the application of the results of such results to the

exploitation and development of the resources of the island.

- The Caribbean Agricultural Research And Development Institute (CARDI)

ACT (1982):

91

The Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute Act of 1982 established

a Caribbean Wide Research Institute to provide, develop and disseminate agricultural

technology through research activity. The Sheep and Goat sub-sectors benefited from

this Act.

- The Rural Agricultural Development (RADA) (Act):

The Rural Agricultural Development Act which enable the technology delivery link

between rural farmers and research organizations.

- The Agricultural Development Corporation Act (1952):

The Agricultural Development Corporation act of 1952 to provide commercial

development and expansion of the livestock industry

- Animal Health/Disease Surveying and Control:

The following acts and Regulations impinge on animal health and disease control.

* Food and Drugs Act 1996

Regulates the importation, manufacture, trade and use of foods, drugs, cosmetics

and attendant duties

* Public Health Act 1996

- Public Health (Butchers’) Regulations

* Public Health (Meat Inspection) Regulations 1989

Promote the hygienic production, processing, storage and sale of food for human

consumption

* Animal (Disease and Importation) Act

Address animal health issues and regulations pertaining to the importation of live

animals and animal products

* Pesticide Act

Provides regulations for the safe use of pesticides

Animal/Products Market Standards

92

- Standards Act:

Promote and encourage the maintenance of standardization in relation to commodities,

processes and practices.

- Meat and Meat Products and By-Products

(Inspection and Export) Act (1998)

Provides for the inspection and certification of meat, meat products and meat by-products

for export and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto

- Praedial Larceny (Prevention) Act

To prevent crimes dealing with theft and destruction of livestock, crops, fish including all

marine and other aquaculture products.

The problem of praedial larceny remains in the forefront of government’s policies and to

this end it is proposed that stiffer penalties be imposed on those guilty of the crime. In

this regard, government proposes that the fine for unlawful possession of agricultural

produce be increase as soon as the legislation is put in place. In addition, the Ministry of

Agriculture in collaboration with Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS) and the Ministry of

National Security and Justice has developed Praedial Larceny Support Programme. The

overall goal of the programme is to reduce related losses to family income. More

specifically, the programme intends to:

- Create national awareness and alertness to the incidence of praedial larceny a

- Establish a system of ongoing monitoring, prompt detection, reporting and

prosecution of praedial thieves

The implementation of this programme calls for legal reform to rationalize two related

pieces of legislation: The Larceny Act (1942) and the Larceny Act (1983). The

Agricultural Produce (Amendment) Act, 2004 attempt to address these concerns and if

enforced should impact this scourge.

Environmental Legislations

93

Designated to protect and sustain the environment and the eco-systems

- Animal Disease and Importation Act

- Swine and Goat Act

- Wildlife Control Act

- Water Supply Act

- Watershed Protection Act

- Forestry Act

94

4.0 IDENTIFYING NATIONAL PRIORITIES FOR THE CONSERVATION AND UTILIZATION OF AnGR

The mission of the Agricultural Sector To ensure ( ) National Food Security (a) provision of high quality (fresh/processed) products for the export market and (b) supplying of raw material’s future agro-industry segment. Priorities for the utilization and conservation of AnGR are determined by the need to

realize the aforementioned mission within the constraint of available resources and

competing demand for those resources.

The overriding objective of prioritizing the utilization and conservation of AnGR will

have to be

1) to determine the breeds and species of AnGR, in order of precedence, most likely to have a favourable and sustainable impact on National Food Security.

2) To identify constraints and problems that adversely affects the contribution of the

breed/species identified to food security. To design and implement research and development programmes and projects that will

resolve problems and constraints identified.

The following are criteria used in priority setting in the utilization and conservation of

AnGR.

1) The extent to which the produced of each breed/species is regarded as a staple

2) The potential of each animal product to realize import substitution

3) Cost to import the same animal product

4) Export potential

5) Feasibility for local production

6) Agro-processing potential

Based on these criteria the priority commodities for research and development are dairy

cattle, goats, pigs, beef cattle and sheep.

95

In the analysis of the spectrum of constraint affecting the utilization and conservation of

AnGR the following emerge as major constraints.

i) Herd Health

ii) Herd Management

iii) Feeding Systems

iv) Productivity of AnGR In order to prioritize these constraints, the following criteria are utilized

i) Losses caused to Jamaica

ii) Cost to farmer

iii) Feasibility to correct

iv) Existence of provisional answer

v) whether basic or applied research is necessary Within the priority commodities the following species/breed of AnGR will be of interest. Species Breed

Dairy Cattle - Jamaica Hope

Goat - Native - Anglo-Nubian - Boer

Pigs - Large White - Landrace - Duroc

Beef Cattle - Jamaica Red Poll - Jamaica Black - Jamaica Brahman Sheep - St. Elizabeth - Kathardin - Dorper

96

97

The various AnGR interest organized under species groups as breeder and farmer

organizations coordinated at the national level participate in utilization and conservation

approaches. They are as follows:

Species Breed Interest Group Cattle Jamaica Hope Jamaica Hope Cattle Breeders Society Jamaica Dairy Farmers Federation Jamaica Red Poll Jamaica Red Poll Cattle Breeders Society Jamaica Brahman Jamaica Brahman Cattle Breeders Society Jamaica Black Jamaica Black Cattle Breeders Society Goat Anglo-Nubian Boer Native Spanish

Alpine Grades Breeders Society of Jamaica Sheep St. Elizabeth Barbados Black Kathardin Dorper Pigs Landrace Large White Pig Farmers Association Duroc

Goat

Belly

National and Regional Priorities for Animal Genetic Resources are identified as

follows:

1) Implementation of a national and regional network for AnGR

2) Characterization of AnGR (recording systems, genetic evaluation genetic

distances, etc.)

3) Breeding, conservation and evaluation strategies for small populations (Barbados

Blackbelly, Trinidad and Tobago buffalypso, Jamaica hope, Creole populations,

....)

4) Training in the management of AnGR (valuation of AnGR)

5) Establish the Caribbean Society of Animal Production

6) Establishment of national committees to provide advise to government in the development of national policies regarding the management of AnGR

7) Inventory (census) of livestock

8) Development of nucleus farms and multiplication units to supply breeding stock,

for AnGR that contribute most to food security

9) Ways to increase public awareness

10) Evaluation of imported breeding stock

11) Use of by-products from AnGR

98

5.0 RECOMMENDATIONS FOR INTERNATIONAL PRIORITIES FOR THE CONSERVATION AND UTILIZATION OF AnGR

1) Development of regional projects to look for financial and technical support

2) Implementation of a regional network for AnGR

3) ]software (and training) used in animal breeding analyses

4) Linkage between ecotourism and agriculture – AnGR utilization (changing

consumer preferences)

5) Regional branding of unique animal products from the region

6) Exchange of learning experiences among countries

7) Availability of AnGR for specific studies (buffalypso, Barbados Blackbelly, ....)

Survey, identify and characterize -

- Jamaica Hope herds – participate in regional progeny testing.

- Native/Creole goats, St. Elizabeth sheep

- Implement breeding, conservation and utilization strategies for these breeds.

99

MAPS - Land Capability - World Position - Regional Position - Topography - Distribution of Public Education Institutions

100

Source: National Atlas of Jamaica Town Planning Department

Source: National Atlas of Jamaica Town Planning Department

Source: National Atlas of Jamaica Town Planning Department

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