$50m added to drought intervention programme

September 23, 2026

Agriculture Minister Floyd Green has announced an additional $50 million for the drought intervention programme, targeting water storage and drip irrigation systems.

He made the announcement during a media briefing at his ministry’s office in Kingston, yesterday.

The Minister noted that the additional support is intended to improve water efficiency as rainfall resumes.

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Meanwhile, he stated that the Essex Valley irrigation project in St. Elizabeth is nearing completion, with the first farmers expected to receive water by the end of September.

He described the project as the largest investment in irrigation undertaken in Jamaica and the Caribbean.

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More than 150 farmers have expressed interest in the system, with 40 having applied and paid for the service and are expected to be among the first beneficiaries.