Ministry Supports Aquaponics Farming

With the sustainability of inland fisheries being threatened by climate change and other factors, there is a need for more inland fisheries, said the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Donovan Stanberry, as he welcomed the launch of the Increasing Access to Climate Smart Agriculture Programme by INMED Partnerships for Children on September 8 in Kingston.
The 4-year project will promote the use of aquaponics, a farming technique that combines aquaculture (fish farming) with hydroponics (soilless crop production) into a closed system that is resilient to climate change events.  Aquaponics systems are made from concrete and utilise less space and water. They are resilient to floods, hurricanes and drought.
Mr Stanberry said that in order for agriculture to make the quantum leap necessary for increased food production it would require the use of new technology. This project, he said, will make a critical difference and noted that the involvement of the Rural Agricultural Development Authority in the programme was integral to the appropriate application of the technology. He noted that 150 persons would be involved in the programme.  
Under the 4-year project, financial assistance, tools, training, technical assistance and market access will be provided to “struggling farmers” as well as women and youth.  In addition, INMED will provide hands-on training and technical assistance on aquaponics construction, technology and maintenance for a closed system resilient to climate change events
The project will also include a ‘Train the Trainer Programme’ where government agricultural agents will be trained to provide technical training/assistance to farmers to ensure the sustainability of the programme.
Noting the value-chain approach employed by the project, Mr. Stanberry stressed the need for partnerships and urged large investors such as GraceKennedy and Rainforest Seafood to collaborate with the farmers to package and market their produce. 
Linda Pfeiffer, President and CEO of INMED, said the project’s goal is to increase economic opportunities and decrease the impact of climate change. She said that over the next four years some 300 farmers will be trained with some 120 aquaponics enterprises having access to credit.
INMED has been working in Jamaica since 2002. Since 2010, community groups and schools across western Jamaica have been benefitting from aquaponics systems, along with technical training provided under the Jamaica Adaptive Agricultural Programme, an initiative of INMED Caribbean and funded by USAID.
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Communication & Public Relations Division
Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries
Hope Gardens, Kingston 6
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