Strengthening the Resilience of Jamaica’s Yam Producing Sector

The Sustainable Agriculture in the Caribbean (SAC) Project is enhancing the resilience of Jamaica’s yam producing sector through the Sweet Yam Pilot Project. This initiative focuses on improving planting material reliability while engaging farmers in innovative practices. Valued at Can$20 million and involving five Caribbean nations, the project aims for sustainability beyond its completion, crucial for adapting to climate impacts.

The Sustainable Agriculture in the Caribbean (SAC) Project is dedicated to bolstering the resilience of Jamaica’s yam production sector. Central to the SAC’s initiatives is the Sweet Yam Pilot Project, which emphasizes enhancing Jamaica’s capacity for reliable planting material production. Munish Persaud, Deputy Project Director for the SAC, stated that the project seeks to engage as many farmers as possible, focusing on innovation in yam production and ensuring farmers’ voices and insights are prioritized.

The five-year initiative, valued at Can$20 million, benefits five Caribbean nations: Jamaica, Suriname, Guyana, St. Lucia, and Dominica, with an anticipated extension of six months to secure the market system’s resilience post-project. According to Mr. Persaud, adapting to climate change and mitigating natural hazards like hurricanes is crucial for maintaining the sector’s strength.

An overarching goal of the project is to guarantee long-term sustainability beyond its completion. Mr. Persaud remarked on the importance of resilience, noting that substantial project gains often disappear following significant adversities. The initiative aims to establish systems with enduring stability and cooperation among diverse stakeholders as a foundation for resilience.

Furthermore, the SAC project adopts a multi-stakeholder approach to tackle the challenges farmers face. Mr. Persaud emphasized the importance of strengthening the agency of all producers—female, youth, and male—utilizing challenges as catalysts for innovative solutions rather than obstacles. The SAC initiative, supported by Global Affairs Canada, is designed to enhance production techniques and ensure consistent access to high-quality, disease-free planting materials through an Integrated Market Systems (IMS) approach.

In conclusion, the SAC Project is actively enhancing the resilience of the yam producing sector in Jamaica through innovative initiatives such as the Sweet Yam Pilot Project. By focusing on collaboration, capacity building, and addressing the challenges faced by farmers, the project aims for sustainable improvements that will endure beyond its initial timeframe. With support from Global Affairs Canada, the initiative is crucial for ensuring a robust agricultural future amidst climate challenges.

Original Source: jis.gov.jm