Gov’t moves to take back agro-park lands not put to production, says Green

KINGSTON, Jamaica—The Ministry of Agriculture has moved to take back agro-park lands from holders who have not put the properties into production.

Agriculture Minister Floyd Green has informed that 120 acres were reclaimed in 2025, and an additional 280 acres have been identified for repossession, should farmers fail to bring them into active production.

“It doesn’t make sense that you’re in our agro-parks, you have the land, and you’re not using it,” said Green on May 13, during his contribution to the Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives.

“We are taking back the lands from people who are not using them in the agro-parks,” he emphasised, explaining that the move will increase utilisation closer to 80 per cent in the agro-parks.

Following his announcement last year, Green said his ministry is moving ahead with plans to create an agro-park in every parish.

These include New Pen in St Mary where a well has been developed and a pressurised irrigation system is being designed; Low Leyton in Portland where production zone with design work is being done for river management and training, storage and road network; Hinds Town and Lydford in St Ann. Designs are advanced for groundbreaking for Lydford this year.

Additionally, early-stage feasibility studies are underway in Frome, Westmoreland; Orange Bay and Spring Valley in Hanover; Montpelier, St James; and Ettingdon and Long Pond in Trelawny.

“We have also embarked on an Agro-Park Redevelopment Programme to improve the infrastructure at our existing agro-parks. This is inclusive of the Ebony Park Greenhouse Rehabilitation Project, which will rehabilitate three greenhouses at the Ebony Park Agro Park,” Green shared.

He said the project will restore protected production capacity, increase ginger and turmeric output, improve crop quality, and strengthen climate-resilient agricultural production systems.