Growth & Jobs | Farmers in Agro Parks at Ebony Park get improved irrigation system

Jamaica borrowed a total of J$106 million from the World Bank for the installation of 1.8 kilometres of force transmission main and pump switch gear along with the rehabilitation of the pump at the Ebony Park Agro Park.

This project will be implemented by the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF) under the Second Rural Economic Development Initiative (REDI II) project.

The project aims to bring 93 acres of fertile farmland in the Ebony Park Agro-Park into full production.

Additionally, it will benefit investors operating on approximately 950 acres at the Spring Plain and Mango Agro Parks. Despite the inherent fertility and arability of this land, its productivity is currently hindered by the absence of essential irrigation infrastructure.

The proposed integration of supplementary irrigation infrastructure and equipment is strategically positioned to unlock the potential of these highly fertile acres.

This investment expects to ensure optimal utilisation, even during dry seasons, thereby significantly benefiting over 100 investors/farmers and enhancing productivity. It is also anticipated that it will mitigate the risk of an annual agricultural output loss estimated at 1,500,000 kilogrammes of produce.

These announcements were made on Thursday at the offices of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining during the contract signing for the Agro-Investment Corporation Irrigation Transmission Force Main and Equipping Project.

The project is expected to start within 14 days after possession of site, which is expected to take place in May, and run for six months.

Signing the contract were Floyd Green, minister of agriculture, fisheries and mining; Omar Sweeney, managing director, JSIF; Courtney Harford, director, Champion Industrial Equipment and Supplies Limited; and Emre Ozaltin, programme leader, World Bank.

Sweeney said he was pleased to see partners such as the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, the Agro-Investment Corporation, the National Environment and Planning Agency, and the National Irrigation Commission.

“REDI II was really designed as way back as 2007 when we started the discussion to increase farmers’ access to our markets … . Now, there are many things that come with that [such as] marketing, technology, climate resilience, infrastructure, training, [and] capacity building. There are so many things that come with that,” Sweeney said.

Minimise losses

He said the project would be “a big pipe carrying a lot of water”.

Sweeney said more than 100 farmers would see better irrigation for their crops.

“More than anything else, it will mitigate against agricultural output loss estimated at 1,500,000 kilogrammes of goods, and so access to markets in our problem statement is not just related to increase of productivity, but it is also to minimise losses.”

With Ebony Park being part of this initiative, the JSIF boss said he anticipated returning to the table for the Planting Garden River Project.

World Bank representative Ozaltin said the equipment to be provided under this project has the potential to be instrumental in building climate smarter agriculture systems in Jamaica.

“This initiative further supports the development of community [and] tourism investment through better integrated productive partnerships or alliances so that Jamaican farmers and entrepreneurs can operate more competitively in selected value chains. The end result, we hope, will be more reliable linkages with buyers and markets and increased capacity to manage climate risks at both local and national levels,” he said.

Green said the signing for the start of the project was “a big day” and expressed gratitude to the World Bank.

“More importantly, it is a big day for farmers in Ebony Park, Clarendon. We mark the beginning today of a transformative project which holds the promise of enhancing our agricultural productivity and fostering economic growth,” Green said. He thanked the World Bank for the money it has invested in agricultural development in the country.

“More than a decade ago, Jamaica embarked on an agro park concept. [It] was the first of its kind in the Caribbean. The agro park was intended to be that area that provides intensive agriculture production; a specific area that would bring together all the facets needed for investors in agriculture to have the greatest return on their investment and to reap the greatest benefits. It was really established to drive productivity.”

Infrastructural challenges

Green said that although agro parks have done well, they have not fulfilled their true potential because of infrastructural challenges, which REDI II will address.

Director, Finance and Corporate Planning, National Irrigation Commission, Lillian Smith, said with improved irrigation infrastructure, farmers will enjoy a reliable and consistent water supply, leading to increased yields, enhanced crop quality, and greater agricultural productivity.

“This not only fosters empowerment and prosperity within our farming communities, but also contributes to overall economic growth and stability in Jamaica,” she said.

Chief Executive Officer, Agro-Investment Corporation, Vivion Scully, said the parks boast a thriving community of just over 80 investors/farmers, including 18 youth, 13 enterprising women, and 68 male-led businesses.

“Their collective efforts have yielded remarkable results, and with production levels soaring over the last production period of over 511,269 kilogrammes of produce valued at above $100 million during our last fiscal period, we’re looking for even greater results with this project,” he said.

ainsworth.morris@gleanerjm.com

– Additional reporting from the JIS