Jamaica’s innovative approach to combating agricultural crime has yielded unprecedented judicial results, with convictions for praedial larceny skyrocketing by over 2,000% in 2025. The establishment of the Agricultural Protection Branch within the Jamaica Constabulary Force has fundamentally transformed the nation’s response to farm theft, creating a specialized law enforcement unit dedicated exclusively to protecting the agricultural sector.
Official statistics released by Agriculture Minister Floyd Green reveal a dramatic escalation in enforcement effectiveness. Convictions jumped from a mere nine cases in 2024 to 209 in 2025, while arrests nearly tripled from 139 in 2024 to 381 in 2025. The judicial system has responded with increased activity, with cases before the courts surging by 68% from 201 to 337 annually.
Minister Green characterized these developments as a “breakthrough in judicial success and offender accountability,” stating that the nation is “on the road to break the back of praedial larceny.” The 75-officer specialized branch represents the first comprehensive police unit focused entirely on agricultural crime, operating with island-wide coverage.
Complementing these enforcement measures, legislative reforms enacted in July 2025 significantly strengthened the legal framework. Amendments to the Praedial Larceny Prevention Act introduced heightened penalties and implemented victim impact statements, empowering farmers with formal representation during court proceedings. These changes built upon earlier enhancements to the Agricultural Produce Act in 2023, which increased fines to $3 million, broadened the definition of agricultural produce, and established mandatory registration and licensing protocols.
The government is now advancing traceability initiatives as the next phase in its anti-theft strategy. Minister Green emphasized the critical importance of animal tagging services and movement controls, noting expanded efforts to strengthen Jamaica’s central livestock database through the Rural Agricultural Development Authority. This integrated approach combining specialized policing, legislative strengthening, and technological solutions represents a comprehensive model for addressing agricultural crime in developing economies.