Jamaica completes draft 10-year National Agricultural Development Plan with FAO, says Green

KINGSTON, Jamaica — In a key step forward for the Caribbean nation’s food systems and agricultural growth, the Jamaican government, in partnership with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), has finalized drafting of an ambitious 10-year National Agricultural Development Plan. The landmark announcement was made on May 13 by Floyd Green, Jamaica’s Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, during his address to the Sectoral Debate in the country’s House of Representatives. The new framework centers on four core priority areas: building resilient, sustainable and efficient production systems; nurturing competitive and innovation-driven agri-businesses and value chains; streamlining efficient cross-border agricultural trade; and strengthening national food security and public nutrition. Beyond these four primary pillars, the plan also integrates a set of critical cross-cutting priorities that address systemic gaps in the sector: agricultural research, innovation and technological adoption, expansion of skilled agricultural workforce development, targeted support for youth and gender inclusion in the sector, and targeted measures to curb long-standing issues of praedial larceny. To ensure the plan reflects the needs and perspectives of all groups involved in Jamaica’s agricultural sector, Green announced that the draft will be released publicly to collect feedback and input ahead of final approval. The document has already been distributed to all sitting parliamentarians, and a full public version is now available for download on the official website of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, hosted at www.moa.gov.jm. Green emphasized that the government is committed to inclusive policymaking, noting that every agricultural stakeholder — from small-scale independent farmers to large agribusiness operators, industry associations, and civil society groups — will have the opportunity to contribute their insights before the plan is finalized. Members of the public and stakeholders can submit written comments and suggestions via a dedicated email address, nadp@moa.gov.jm. Looking ahead to the finalization process, a formal validation workshop bringing together key critical stakeholders has been scheduled for May 21, 2026, where participants will deliver targeted input to refine the draft into its final, actionable form. Green described the long-term plan as a vital strategic document that will shape the future of Jamaica’s agricultural sector for the next decade, aligning growth goals with sustainability, equity, and national food security objectives.