Agriculture has been a major contributor to economic development this year, according to Minister of Agriculture and Land Roger Clarke.
Mr. Clarke was speaking at the opening of the Denbigh Agricultural and Industrial Show in Clarendon on the weekend.
"This year, the Almighty has been good to us, and agriculture is now on the rebound," Mr. Clarke said. "So far this year, in the first quarter ending June, agriculture grew by another 30 per cent."
The Agriculture Minister said almost all sectors of the industry had improved.
Good crop
He noted that banana production in particular had rebounded to production levels before Hurricane Ivan in 2004, while the production of plantain and other fruits and vegetables had also increased.
"We have astronomical growth in the production of sweet potatoes; peppers and other condiments are also performing strongly," he said. "We expect a good coffee crop this year and already I am told by the processors that we are going to outstrip many of the bumper years we've had in the past."
He disclosed that Government had advanced $60 million to coffee farmers who were affected by Hurricane Ivan but did not receive any benefits from insurance companies to assist with covering claims.
They are also to receive an additional $40 million in grants to resuscitate their farms.
Cocoa farmers have also received help through a 100 per cent increase in the box price of cocoa. Cocoa cultivators now earn $1,000 per box instead of $500.
Sugar cane production also improved, Minister Clarke said, although production was still below par, increasing by 22,000 tonnes.
He said new strategies were being implemented to improve the industry such as the use of ethanol and a new industry management structure.
"We have seen astronomical growth in goat production, both in quantity and quality, and remarkable strides in pig production, again in quantity and quality," he said.
Sweet returns
The honey industry also grew, doubling in production due to the use of new technology and an additional 28 trained young people, the Agriculture Minister also noted.
He said a niche market had also been established for organic farming and a $1 billion expansion of the national irrigation programme was under way.
About $100 million is also to be set aside to deal with road repairs, while farmers will be given assistance to acquire tractors and farm equipment through the Agricultural Support Services Project.
He also said 3,000 land titles would be issued to farmers by month-end.
