Stanberry says agriculture critical to rural development
MIIC Author
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Donovan Stanberry, has said that agriculture is critical to rural development. He was speaking at an appreciation function held at the Crooked River Skills Training Centre in Clarendon on Friday, August 12.
Noting the migration of people from rural areas to urban centres, the Permanent Secretary said that Jamaica needs a renewed emphasis on rural development and emphasised that economic development, without addressing the social imperative of the people in the community is unsustainable
“We believe that agriculture must be a catalyst and stand at the centre of rural development,” said Stanberry. He said the Ministry was proud to be investing in training as this is what is going to make a critical difference in the advancement of the country.
The Crooked River Skills Training Centre was rehabilitated through funding provided by the Japanese Embassy, and the European Union through the Ministry’s Sugar Transformation Programme (STP), which contributed $7m for the procurement of material and equipment for training in barbering, cosmetology, bartending and apiculture.
Over 160 persons in the Worthy Park Sugar Dependent Area have been certified in vocational skills since 2014 and an additional 83 persons are currently enrolled in training with the HEART Trust/NTA. Also, nine persons will benefit from grants totalling $8.7m to establish businesses in areas such as apiculture poultry production, beauty salon and farming.
In addition, some $246m is being spent to rehabilitate 26km of cane roads to include Brandon Hill to Cargill Road, Brandon Hill to Wedge Hill in Clarendon and Lluidas Vale to Juan De Bolas in St. Catherine.
Also, over $88m was spent under the STP on social projects at schools and libraries and rural electrification as well as the upgrading of community centres such as Crofts Hill, Lluidas Vale and Knollis.
-30-
Contact:
Director, Communication & Public Relations
Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries
Hope Gardens, Kingston 6
T – 927-1731-50 / 618-7128; E: pr2@micaf.gov.jm; daoconnor@micaf.gov.jm
Facebook – https.www.facebook.com/micafjamaica
Twitter – https.www.twitter.com/micafjamaica
Recent News
See all news
Posted on 14/04/2026
Carnival in Jamaica will only continue to grow, says Seiveright
STATE minister in the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce Delano Seiveright says he will be working closely with Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett, Minister of Entertainment Olivia Grange, and Carnival in Jamaica Chairman Kamal Bankay,...
Posted on 02/04/2026
OSI strengthening Jamaica’s insolvency framework through professional development
Supervisor of Insolvency and attorney-at-law, Fayola Evans Roberts (left), along with Deputy Supervisor of Insolvency and attorney-at-law, Chevánt Hamilton, and Licensing and Compliance Officer and Attorney-at-Law, Charah Malcolm, pause for a phot...
Posted on 02/04/2026
SOS opens new $185-million SEEK factory
MCDANIEL…this expansion allows us to produce more, plan better, and supply the market more reliably, especially during the back-to-school period when demand is at its highest. Stationery & Office Supplies Limited (SOS) recently commissio...
