Jamaica’s Agriculture Minister Advocates for Local Animal Feed Production
Jamaica is actively enhancing its agricultural resilience post-Hurricane Beryl by increasing local animal feed production. Agriculture Minister Floyd Green calls for public-private partnerships to reduce reliance on imports, citing significant expenditures on animal feed preparations and previous feed shortages that impacted local livestock and meat supplies.
In the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl in 2024, Jamaica’s agriculture sector is taking proactive measures to prevent future losses. The country, which experienced significant agricultural damage last year, is focusing on enhancing food security by addressing the issue of animal feed production. Jamaica’s Agriculture Minister, Floyd Green, emphasizes the necessity of increasing local animal feed production to reduce dependency on imports.
Minister Green advocates for the establishment of public and private sector partnerships to bolster local food production efforts and decrease the expenses associated with importing animal feed. The Jamaica Observer reported that in 2023, Jamaica imported animal feed worth US$11.19 million from the United States. Furthermore, the Statistical Institute of Jamaica (Statin) indicated that the total import expenditure for Jamaica between January and July 2023 was approximately US$4.44 billion.
Green has expressed concerns regarding a feed shortage in 2022, which had a detrimental effect on the pig and poultry sectors. This shortage raised alarms about livestock losses and subsequently, a decrease in meat供应. Addressing these challenges is critical to strengthening Jamaica’s food security efforts and ensuring stable agricultural production.
The strategic initiatives outlined by Agriculture Minister Floyd Green signify Jamaica’s commitment to improving food security through enhanced local animal feed production. By fostering partnerships and reducing reliance on imported feed, Jamaica aims to fortify its agricultural sector against future adversities while addressing the impacts of prior shortages on livestock and meat production.
Original Source: www.stabroeknews.com
