The Minister of Agriculture in Jamaica is the Hon. Floyd Green. A proven leader, his passion lies in assuring Jamaicans’ access to the best in food and production, while building a thriving agribusiness sector. He aims to ensure rural communities have access to educational initiatives and gain employment opportunities. He has promised to reduce poverty and increase agricultural production, while improving rural livelihoods through transforming rural economies.
Green graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture Science from the College of Agriculture, Science and Education in Jamaica. He also holds an MBA from the University of the West Indies Open Campus. In line with his experiences, Green has implemented a number of initiatives in the agricultural space such as the Agricultural Transformation programme and the Agricultural Enhanced Performance Programme (AEPP). These were focused on improving efficiency, productivity and modernizing farming practices. His well-developed skills in developing policies and understanding economic trends have also enabled him to reduce dependency on food imports and focus on promoting local agricultural produce.
Under his leadership, Jamaica has seen a resurgence of investment into agribusiness. Green has engaged with public and private sector stakeholders in order to create appropriate incentives to promote investment and develop innovation in the agricultural sector. This includes creating a favorable tax environment in rural areas, and encouraging producers and processors to building a sustainable and profitable value chain. It is important to note that this has been coupled with improved access to credit and technical advice for farmers and fishers.
In addition to his role as Minister of Agriculture, Green has spearheaded a number of other initiatives. This includes the “Stimulus Packages” to aid production, a “Grow What You Eat” campaign to encourage food self-sufficiency, and the “Agro-Tourism” package to improve Jamaica’s tourism sector.
The Hon. Floyd Green has made significant strides in the Jamaican Agricultural sector since his inauguration, providing investment and resources to make Jamaica a world leader in agriculture. His focus on improving productivity, infrastructure, and innovation alongside an investment into public education and rural development initiatives, have all been instrumental in the success of the sector.
Agriculture Production & Economic Development in Jamaica
Under the leadership of Hon. Floyd Green, the Jamaican agricultural sector has seen a considerable uptick in production and economic development. Green has focused on building partnerships between public and private bodies to create a secure investment environment, clarified and improved the tax system, and implemented initiatives such as the “Grow What You Eat” campaign and other stimulus packages to give the sector a much needed boost. These have been instrumental in propelling the agricultural sector forward.
Green’s efforts have been particularly successful with regards to increasing availability of credit and technical advice for producers and processors in Jamaica’s rural areas. This has enabled small-scale producers to increase their yields, and some have even grown enough to enter larger markets. Furthermore, Green’s “Agro-Tourism” package has enabled rural Jamaicans to capitalise on the tourist influx and further boost their incomes.
These measures, amongst others, have resulted in an increase in agricultural production, with the sector now accounting for 7.2% of Jamaica’s GDP. This is a stark contrast to the 4.1% it contributed prior to Floyd Green’s appointment as Minister of Agriculture. Moreover, production levels have increased significantly, with 1,613 metric tons of food being produced in 2020, up 2,079 metric tons in the previous year. This tremendous increase in production has proven to be essential in sustaining the country’s economic output and helped to reduce the country’s dependency on food imports.
Research and Development
Hon. Floyd Green has led the government’s efforts in developing new methods of agricultural production, understanding and responding to climate change, and enhancing technology in Jamaica’s agricultural sector. The establishment of the Agricultural Transformation programme, for example, has enabled Green and his team to identify opportunities for increased production and product innovation in the sector.
One such initiative, the ‘Agricultural Enhanced Performance Program’ (AEPP), has expanded the sector’s capabilities to deal with a range of market stresses. The AEPP places emphasis on farmer training and access to technology, as well as strengthening the linkages between farmers, advisors, and stakeholders. This matrix of support has been instrumental in ensuring farmers access the right advice, navigate technological advances, and successfully navigate market opportunities.
Continued research and development has also had a positive effect on the quality of food producers. With greater quality control and improved technological capabilities, agro-businesses in Jamaica can now produce high-quality products better suited to both local and international tastes. This increased quality has been identified as a valued competitive advantage, as local businesses can now compete with international companies and capture niche markets with value-added products.
Ultimately, Floyd Green has brought about a revolution in the Jamaican agricultural sector. His efforts have resulted in increased production levels, improved quality, as well as increased employment and investment into the sector. With every effort aimed at bettering Jamaica’s rural sector and lowering poverty levels, Hon. Floyd Green is one of the most influential figures in Jamaican agriculture.
Rural Development & Education
The Hon. Floyd Green has demonstrated a keen commitment to developing rural communities, with the aim of creating opportunities for employment and poverty alleviation. He has placed particular emphasis on establishing a vibrant agro-tourism sector, growing capacity for value-added products, and encouraging public/private partnerships.
Green has also focused on improving access to education initiatives within rural areas. This includes providing financial support for small-scale farmers to attend relevant workshops and conferences, creating incentives for youngsters to take up agricultural studies and training, and increasing opportunities for access to rural training schools. These initiatives have enabled rural Jamaicans to make the most of their land and reap the benefits of their produce.
Hon. Floyd Green’s efforts in the sector have also had a positive effect on Jamaica’s rural infrastructure. This includes the recent opening of the Jamaica Agriculture Science Research Institute (JASRI) and the Knowledge Management Initiative (KMI). Both of these initiatives have provided an invaluable platform for rural Jamaicans to share their expertise, discuss new opportunities, and ensure the continued success of rural Jamaican farmers.
Green has also developed income/price support schemes to help small-scale farmers withstand market volatility and challenging weather conditions. This includes interventions such as direct payments during seasonal periods of low production, and access to capital loans and technical support to assist farmers in mitigating economic losses. These measures have enabled rural producers to continue producing and remain viable, allowing them to access domestic and international markets.
Sustainable Initiatives for Local Agriculture
In addition to his various rural development and educational initiatives, the Hon. Floyd Green has implemented a number of environmental initiatives aimed at promoting sustainability and conservation. This includes the implementation of a National Watershed Management Plan (NWMP) to protect key water resources, as well as a range of programmes aimed at promoting and preserving biodiversity.
Moreover, the Minister has placed an emphasis on the need to secure water resources and prevent national disaster. This has involved the implementation of an irrigation technology reorganisation strategy, and investments in water catchment areas, wells and water tanks for rural communities. This has enabled farmers to access sufficient water resources for agricultural purposes, without posing a risk to the country’s existing water infrastructure.
Green has also sought to encourage sustainable farming practices through a range of initiatives, such as the “Grow What You Eat” campaign. This programme has sought to increase local food production and food self-sufficiency through awareness campaigns, training, and access to resources. The Hon. Floyd Green has also provided a subsidy programme for small-scale agricultural and fisheries, in order to ensure access to value-added products. These initiatives have enabled rural producers to become more resilient and adaptive to climate change, while improving their own livelihoods.
Hubs of Innovation in Agriculture
The Jamaican agricultural sector has entered into a period of sustained growth and optimism, largely thanks to the efforts of Hon. Floyd Green. The Minister has shown a keen commitment to increasing public and private investment into the sector, and has provided a range of incentives to encourage entrepreneurial innovation. This includes the establishment of the St. Catherine Agro Parks, which are now leading the country’s agricultural revolution.
The agro-parks offer a range of resources and infrastructure for up and coming farmers and leaders, including an incubator providing access to resources for research and development, as well as advice and support for farmers. This facility provides prime agricultural land, access to modern irrigation systems, as well as access to technical support and training.
The St. Catherine Agro Parks have already become hubs of innovation and creativity, with local agro-businesses receiving support and resources to better their operations. This has enabled them to increase their presence in larger markets, and open up new avenues of employment and capitalise on the growing demand for value-added products. These efforts have been instrumental in increasing the income of rural Jamaicans and creating a more sustainable and viable agricultural sector.
The vision and hard work of Hon. Floyd Green has been integral to the success of Jamaica’s agricultural sector. With every effort aimed at bettering Jamaica’s rural sector and lowering poverty levels, Green has been one of the most influential figures in Jamaican agriculture. His contributions to public education and environmental initiatives have been invaluable, with Jamaica now enjoying a booming agricultural sector and significant growth in rural employment.
