Research and development critical to boosting growth in agriculture sector - Green

 

Agriculture Minister Floyd Green says research and development will be critical in leading real growth, productivity and innovation in the sector. 

 

Minister Green says the government is working to match investments with the trajectory and challenges present in the sector to better capitalise on returns. 

 

With a $600 million commitment to renovations in Montpelier, St. James over the next six years, Minister Green says investments represent the government's push towards redevelopment and improvement. 

 

"Montpelier for a long time has had a research station. Unfortunately over the years it has declined in terms of the amount of resources that was put into it, and we are embarking on a redevelopment programme for a Montpelier research station. We're going to be putting in perimeter fencing. We're going to be putting in irrigation. We're going to build out new pastures. We're going to focus on specific areas like ginger, turmeric, things that you're already doing well but we want you to do better - cocoa and dealing with frosty pod. We're going to be driving our livestock breeds to ensure that Montpelier is a beacon for these farmers right here in St. James Westmoreland, Hanover," he announced.  

 

Minister Green was speaking at the 42nd Annual Montpelier Agricultural and Industrial Show on Monday. 

 

He added that access to farms and farm roads remains a key area for the government. According to the minister, the Horse Guard, Lapland, Millerswood farm roads in St. James are being prioritised this financial year. 

 

Meanwhile, shadow agriculture minister Dr. Dayton Campbell, who was also at the event, called for additional investments in the sector to encourage greater participation and productivity. 

 

"Persons need to have access to their farms so they can get in machines and have mechanization so they can get out their produce. They need to have proper irrigation in place. It is unacceptable, I believe, as a nation, that collectively, we only have irrigation at about 15% of the arable lands in the country. And whereas work is taking place, there clearly needs to be a concerted effort across political administrations to ensure that we can rapidly increase the amount of land that is under irrigation," said Dr. Campbell.