Agriculture Records 13.7% Growth in Q2 of 2025

• Speaking at the commissioning of a 130,000-gallon sectional water tank in Manchester, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Hon. Floyd Green, reported that Jamaica’s agriculture sector recorded 13.7% growth in production during the second quarter of 2025. This growth reflects the sector’s resilience in the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl, which severely impacted the southern region of the island.
• “Normally, after an event like Hurricane Beryl, you would expect us to take two years or so for us to return to our [normal] production levels. But… we are already seeing great growth in our agricultural sector,” Minister Green stated.
• Highlighting improved water access across the agricultural sector, the Ministry provided pond liners to more than 32 farmers in Manchester last year. This intervention enabled the storage of over 450,000 gallons of water, bolstering crop production during drought conditions and enhancing long-term climate resilience.
• Minister Green further disclosed that farmers in southern Manchester and St. Elizabeth are poised to receive additional support as the Ministry enters the final phase of the Essex Valley Agricultural Development Project. “We are now on the final tranche of our Essex Valley system. We’ve already dug five new wells that are going to be commissioned in early 2026. In fact, right now, we are waiting on the pumps to come in,” he informed.
• As part of the project, 30 kilometres of roadwork have been completed, directly benefitting residents and farmers in South St. Elizabeth and South Manchester. In addition, a modern cold storage and agro-processing facility is under development in Downs, New Forest, Manchester, which is expected to serve farmers in South Manchester and St. Elizabeth.

(Source: JIS)