Agriculture Ministry injects $240 million into sector in light of COVID-19

The Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries has made a total of $240 million available to purchase excess produce from farmers as the country faces the coronavirus (COVID-19).

The move forms part of efforts by the Ministry to redistribute excess fruits and vegetables, which would have been otherwise supplied to the hotel and hospitality sector, to local consumers.

Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry, Hon. J.C. Hutchinson noted that this will begin with immediate effect and the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) will be working with the farmers who have the excess.

“Purveyors would utilize the existing collection, storage and distribution mechanisms to purchase produce from farmers and move into the marketplace including large purchasers and communities and work places,” he said.

Mr. Hutchinson was speaking at a virtual media briefing at the Ministry’s Hope Gardens offices in Kingston on March 31.

 Other initiatives being undertaken by the Ministry in light of COVID-19, include the identification of several buyers and distributors with access to cold storage facilities who have expressed willingness to continue purchase of agricultural produce from farmers, assisting in the process of purchasing produce at the farm level and distributing to final markets.

 The Ministry has also met with agro-processors who have increased their intake of items like pepper and scallion to be processed into mash. Juice makers have also committed to, where possible, utilize more local products in their juices as well as to process for storage

“The Ministry, through RADA is also putting systems in place to support the movement of produce to the factories and maintain throughput,” Mr. Hutchinson said.

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