Agri Min pledges support to expand FAO project in Kitson Town to other communities

Minister of Agriculture Floyd Green has pledged that the government stands ready to support the expansion of an initiative that was successfully implemented in Kitson Town, St. Catherine to other communities.

The improving rural livelihoods through resilient agri-food systems project was implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization in collaboration with the ministry of agriculture and coordinated by the United Nations office for south / south cooperation.

Launched in 2023, the project was funded by a US $1m investment from the government of India through the India / United Nations Fund for Development Partnership.

The project specifically targeted Kitson Town in St. Catherine, equipping participants with training in climate-smart agriculture, greenhouse-based protected farming, livestock management, food safety, and entrepreneurship.

Speaking during the project’s closing ceremony on Wednesday Green highlighted the success of the initiative in transforming the lives of small farmers, particularly women and youth.

Green said the initiative aligns with the ministry’s goal of strengthening agricultural resilience, noting that expanded partnerships in rural areas will help fortify the sector against climate-related challenges.

The minister said based on the outcomes for farmers in Kitson Town, the programme should be replicated in more rural areas.