Government ramping up activities in agriculture

The Government will be ramping up research and development activities in agriculture to strengthen food security and value-added industries in the sector.

Addressing the recent handover ceremony for seven irrigation travellers to the Bodles Agricultural Research Centre in St Catherine, Agriculture Minister, Floyd Green, said the Government will be putting strong emphasis on research through its Research and Development Division under the Rehabilitation of Research Centres Project (RRCP), phase one.

This phase focused on advancement in the application of science and technology in agricultural research and education, driving technological innovation, and to generate and transfer knowledge in line with the needs of the country. Activities also included the rehabilitation of the island's agricultural research centres.

In phase one, investments of approximately $1 billion centred on the Old Harbour, St Catherine-based Bodles centre. The Government is investing $6.3 billion on the rehabilitation of agricultural research facilities over the next six years. Phase two of this project, the rehabilitation of research centres, commenced last April. It focuses on six major functional areas, including, research station infrastructure and plant and genetic resource management.

A significant element achieved under phase one was the upgrade of the irrigation systems at research centres, at a cost of $81.2 million. The upgrades included the laying of additional pipes; installation of additional pumps; and procurement of five irrigation travellers. Th ministry recently procured an additional seven irrigation travellers at a cost of $35.37 million under phase two of the project.