Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Pearnel Charles Jr. has issued a statement saying that currently, Jamaica’s food security is a top priority for the government. Minister Charles Jr. noted that there is global demand for Jamaican produce, adding that the government is seeking to increase local production of several crops, particularly onions.
The Ministry has set a target of increasing onion production from 20 per cent to 70 percent to meet local demand. “That would be an enormous 250 per cent increase in one season,” the Minister stated. He noted that onion production is just one of several crops targeted for increased production, to satisfy local and global demand.
“There are several – ginger, potato and others that we will be focusing on because right now, our import bill is too high. We want to make sure that through our parish managers and our extinction services, that we at least bring it up so that we can feed our country. First order is that Jamaica be able to feed itself, feed its tourists, and then go out and stretch across the world,” the Minister said.
Source: jis.gov.jm
