KINGSTON, Jamaica—In a decisive move to combat the persistent issue of praedial larceny, Jamaica’s Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining has reinforced its strategic approach through amplified enforcement mechanisms and the widespread implementation of traceability technologies across the agricultural value chain.
Kalecia Hall, acting director of the Praedial Larceny Prevention Coordination Branch, articulated the government’s comprehensive strategy during a recent Jamaica Information Service (JIS) Think Tank session on January 14. Hall emphasized that the specialized branch, originally established as a unit in 2015, has evolved into a multifaceted operation targeting five critical domains: enforcement, public education, institutional collaboration, traceability infrastructure, and legislative modernization.
Significant legal advancements have been achieved through the 2023 amendments to the Agricultural Produce Act, which dramatically elevated financial penalties for agricultural theft—from a mere $200 to a staggering $3 million. These reforms also mandated compulsory dealer registration, now administered by the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA). Complementary revisions were simultaneously enacted across multiple statutes including the Malicious Injuries to Property Act, Lawful Possession of Property Act, Country Fires Act, and Trespass Act.
The institutional framework has been strengthened through sustained partnerships with RADA, the Veterinary Services Division, and the Jamaica Agricultural Society. These collaborations facilitate the implementation of sophisticated traceability instruments such as farmer registration databases, cattle identification passports and tags, and standardized receipt books—all synchronized with enforcement initiatives.
A pivotal development in enforcement capabilities emerged two years ago with the creation of the dedicated Agricultural Protection Division within the Jamaica Constabulary Force. This specialized police unit has contributed to a substantial increase in arrests and successful prosecutions, demonstrating the effectiveness of integrated enforcement and monitoring systems.
Hall clarified that the traceability infrastructure serves dual purposes: protecting legitimate farmers while identifying bad actors within the supply chain. “These systems are engineered to monitor agricultural producers while simultaneously ensuring accountability among intermediaries and end consumers,” she stated, noting that compliance inspections and random spot checks frequently reveal illicit activities that often go unreported through formal channels.
The Branch, in concert with its institutional partners, will conduct a series of farmer sensitization workshops to enhance stakeholder awareness and promote regulatory compliance throughout the agricultural sector.