Gov’t prioritises cold storage for agricultural produce in 2025

The Government of Jamaica, through the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Mining, has announced a strategic focus on expanding cold storage capacity for agricultural produce in 2025.

The ministry said this initiative, aimed at reducing post-harvest losses, improving food security and creating better market opportunities for farmers, underscores the government’s drive to improving the agricultural sector.

Speaking during a recent press conference, minister of agriculture, fisheries, and mining, Floyd Green, outlined several key projects that will transform cold storage infrastructure across the island. He indicated that a $100-million project, funded in collaboration with the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF) and the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), will establish a state-of-the-art cold storage facility in the Kirkvine area in Manchester. Contracts for this project are scheduled to commence in January 2025.

Additionally, Green announced plans to refurbish the Coleyville facility, which will include the installation of renewable energy systems. This project has already received approval from JSIF and is moving towards the contract phase.

To further accelerate cold storage expansion, the government said it is actively pursuing public-private partnerships. Green disclosed that discussions are under way with an entity aiming to establish 30 small, modular cold storage facilities over the next few years, starting with four in 2025.

Major food production hub and Jamaica’s breadbasket parish, St Elizabeth, will also benefit significantly, with two renewable energy-powered cold storage facilities set to be constructed under a Caribbean-funded CARICOM project. These facilities are expected to be operational by the first quarter of 2025.

The minister emphasised that the new cold storage network will be managed through a variety of models to ensure sustainability and efficiency. Facilities will be overseen by entities, such as the Agro-Investment Corporation (AIC), well-established farmers’ groups, the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS) and public-private partnerships operating on a for-profit basis.

“For 2025, when we say we are going to focus a lot on cold storage, you will see it in real terms. We are building out a brand-new cold storage network that will transform the agricultural sector and provide tangible benefits for our farmers and the wider economy,” said Green.

These developments are a big step forward in modernising Jamaica’s agricultural infrastructure, helping to strengthen the entire value chain and support the long-term resilience and growth of the sector and prosperity of the farmers.