National Seed Policy and Action Plan (2018-2028).

This Policy moves from the consideration that the use of improved seed significantly increases agricultural production and the productivity of crops, and therefore seeds represent a crucial factor to meet the country’s agricultural development, food security and biodiversity goals. The Policy defines the current seed system in Jamaica, analyses challenges and constraints in the seed sector, thus aiming at: increasing investment in crop research; developing the seed system; improving quality of seeds and accessibility to the final users; implementing a valid institutional framework, technical and institutional capacity, financing strategies and communication programmes. The Policy focuses on the following objectives: creation and maintenance of pest resistant and high yielding seed varieties that are adaptive to challenges posed by climate change; increased availability and access to clean seed, to meet production requirements; improvement of regulation and monitoring of the seed industry to ensure adherence to quality standards; improving the sustainable marketing and distribution of seeds; protection of national plant genetic resources.
The Policy is implemented through the following elements: seed research, focused on: food and nutrition security, food safety, importance of crop in local food consumption; seed variety improvement; seed multiplication, processing and storage; seed quality control and compliance with international standards; marketing and promotion; integrated approach to the conservation and evaluation of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture purposes; protection and promotion of farmers’ rights, including: traditional knowledge related to plant genetic resources; enforcement of capacity building programmes. The Action Plan outlines the framework of the crucial activities for the implementation of the Policy, within the period from 2018 to 2028.