St. Elizabeth farmers quadruple cultivation of Irish potatoes
MIIC Author
In response to Government’s target of achieving self-sufficiency in table Irish potato in 2017, farmers in St. Elizabeth have increased their cultivation of the staple with some 60 hectares planted in the December 2016 to January 2017 period.
Speaking at an Irish Potato Production Post Harvest Seminar and Study Tour in Hounslow, St. Elizabeth, on March 10, Minister without portfolio in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. J. C. Hutchinson, said that according to a Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) report the volume of Irish potatoes planted in St. Elizabeth has quadrupled, compared to the similar period last year where 15.8 hectares were planted.
Under the National Irish Potato Programme, the Ministry aims to meet the local demand of 15 million kilogrammes per year for table Irish potato through the planting of 1,200 hectares of the tuber for the 2016/2017 season.
Overall, the total cost of the programme will be $1b with some $71.3 million spent, to date, on the purchase of seeds and fertiliser. In addition, the Ministry, through RADA, will be providing $400m towards technical support for the programme.
Minister Hutchinson encouraged the farmers to continue to increase their production of Irish potatoes while lauding them for being the highest producers of pineapples, peanuts, condiments and vegetables in the country.
Noting that irrigation was available on the lands at Hounslow, Minister Hutchinson emphasised the importance of all the lands being put under production to ensure attainment of Jamaica’s food security and urged the land owners to offer the unutilised lands for lease to farmers.
-30-
Contact:
Director, Communication & Public Relations
Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries
Hope Gardens, Kingston 6
T – 618-7128; 927-1731-50
Email: pr2@micaf.gov.jm; daoconnor@micaf.gov.jm
Facebook – https.www.facebook.com\agriministryja
Twitter – https.www.twitter.com\agriministryja
Recent News
See all news
Posted on 26/11/2025
Minister of State Delano Seiveright says the Government is moving decisively to address the needs of micro and small businesses severely impacted by Hurricane Melissa.
He noted that Prime Minister Andrew Holness and Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce (MIIC), Senator Aubyn Hill, have already issued directives and convened meetings to craft immediate strategies that will help small enterprises resume op...
Posted on 26/11/2025
Port Authority, BPO sector show resilience after hurricane
The Port Authority of Jamaica and the Global Services Association of Jamaica (GSAJ), representing the business process outsourcing (BPO) sector, have been lauded for their rapid recovery efforts and resilience following the recent passage of Hurri...
Posted on 25/11/2025
Seiveright ready for new challenge at ‘super ministry’
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Newly minted Member of Parliament (MP) for St Andrew North Central, Delano Seiveright, has welcomed the decision of Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness to appoint him minister of state in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Inv...
