Following Hurricane Beryl, Jamaica’s Agriculture Minister Floyd Green is advocating for increased local animal feed production to improve food security and reduce import dependency. This initiative includes public-private partnerships to enhance Jamaica’s agricultural production capabilities, addressing previous feed shortages that impacted the nation’s livestock sectors.
In light of the 2024 Hurricane Beryl episode, Jamaica’s agriculture sector is prioritizing preparations to mitigate future losses. Unlike neighboring countries, Jamaica experienced significant agricultural damages in recent years. Agriculture Minister Floyd Green has emphasized the need for enhanced animal feed production as a strategy to bolster food security and lessen dependency on imports.
Minister Green advocates for establishing public-private partnerships aimed at improving local food production capabilities. Reducing the costs associated with importing animal feed is pivotal for Jamaica’s agricultural resilience. According to a report from the Jamaica Observer, Jamaica imported $11.19 million in animal feed preparations from the United States in 2023, underlining the country’s reliance on external sources.
Additionally, the Statistical Institute of Jamaica (Statin) reported that total import expenditure reached approximately $4.44 billion between January and July 2023. Green highlighted the challenges of a feed shortage in 2022, which adversely affected the pig and poultry sectors, thus raising concerns about livestock mortality and diminished meat availability in the island nation.
In summary, Jamaica is taking proactive measures to strengthen its agricultural sector following substantial losses from Hurricane Beryl. By prioritizing local animal feed production and fostering public-private partnerships, the country aims to enhance food security and lessen import reliance. These efforts are crucial to overcoming past challenges that have impacted meat supply and livestock health.
Original Source: www.stabroeknews.com
