Jamaica’s Agriculture Minister Floyd Green advocates for increased local animal feed production to enhance food security and reduce import reliance following Hurricane Beryl. Public-private partnerships are encouraged to lower costs associated with imports, as Jamaica imported US$11.19 million in animal feed preparations in 2023. The country seeks to avoid repeat agricultural losses experienced last year, particularly affecting the pig and poultry sectors.
In light of the recent Hurricane Beryl episode, Jamaica has begun to proactively address its agricultural vulnerabilities to avoid a recurrence of last year’s significant losses. Agriculture Minister Floyd Green is advocating for increased local production of animal feed as a fundamental strategy to enhance the nation’s food security and curtail dependency on imported food sources.
Minister Green emphasizes the importance of creating partnerships between the public and private sectors, which he believes will help reduce the costs associated with animal feed imports. According to a report from the Jamaica Observer, Jamaica spent approximately US$11.19 million on animal feed preparations imported from the United States in 2023.
Moreover, the Statistical Institute of Jamaica (Statin) indicated that total import expenditures for the country amounted to around US$4.44 billion between January and July 2023. Minister Green also referenced the feed shortage experienced in 2022, which detrimentally affected the pig and poultry industries, leading to concerns regarding animal losses and diminished meat supply.
In conclusion, the call to boost local animal feed production reflects Jamaica’s commitment to enhancing food security in the wake of recent agricultural challenges. By fostering public-private partnerships, the country aims to reduce its reliance on imports and mitigate future risks of livestock losses, thereby stabilizing its food supply.
Original Source: www.stabroeknews.com
