The government of Jamaica is investing $200 million in the national Irish potato and onion program, to increase the hectares under production and to improve yields of these crops. $150 million has been allocated for the Irish potato program; $50 million will be invested in onion production.
According to Agriculture and Fisheries Minister Pearnel Charles Jr, for the upcoming planting season, the intention is to target expansion of the program in the traditional growing areas of Clarendon, St. Catherine, St. Elizabeth, Trelawny and St. Thomas.
“We are targeting 1,500 acres of land which is going to be a 20 per cent increase over the last year’s planting season,” Minister Charles Jr. stated. He urged farmers to contact the RADA offices to have their first acre of land prepared free of cost under the ‘Grow Smart, Eat Smart’ production program.
Source: jis.gov.jm