Agriculture Minister Outlines Next Step for Agricultural Security

 

Agriculture Minister Floyd Green says the next phase will focus on expanding enforcement to better protect farmers in Jamaica's food supply.

 

One year after its establishment, the Jamaica Constabulary Forces Agricultural Protection Branch is being credited with strengthening the fight against predial larceny and other agricultural crimes.

 

Speaking at the branch's first anniversary celebration, Green said the unit has already made a significant impact.

 

“The work of the APB is critical to the future of Jamaica. It is genuinely critical to our food security and is genuinely critical to re-engineering hope in those who feed our nation. A 458% increase in arrests over the last year, moving from 115 arrests in 2024/2025 to 640 arrests in 2025 to 2026. I think that deserves a big round of applause.”

 

Minister Green says the government continues to strengthen the branch through legislative reforms, improved traceability systems, and the use of technology to better support farmers and law enforcement.

 

He said, “We also have to strengthen our traceability systems and we're looking to really utilise the technology now, to bring in some databases that will make it easier for you easier for you to identify a registered farmer. You should be able to go on your phone and be able to type in and see that this person is registered and is up to date. We're working on that. We're working on strengthening our animal traceability system.”

 

The minister also maintains the government is moving to establish the agricultural wardens program to provide additional support for the agricultural protection branch.

 

“We have to get our agricultural wardens program on stream now. It has taken a long time. I said in my sectoral presentation that I urged the Ministry of National Security and the Ministry of Agriculture technical team to finalise the regulations by the end of this month into early next month so that we can bring in our first cohort of wardens, have them trained and have them rolled out by December of this year.”