Operational Plan 2014 – 2015 of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries.

The Operational Plan is a national policy with a cross-sectoral approach. The timeframe of the Strategy is 2 years between 2014 and 2015. The overall goal of the Plan is to ensure sustainable agricultural development and sustainable use of fishery resources in order to promote food security and food safety, in an effort to contribute to the development and well-being of Jamaican people.
National food and nutrition security will be enhanced in accordance with the international standards.
Agricultural production will be increased in an environmentally sustainable manner. Good agricultural practices will be promoted to ensure sustainable use of natural resources. Policy and planning frameworks will be established to protect and develop suitable agricultural lands and fisheries resources. The productivity of fisheries will be improved through capacity building of fisher councils, beach rehabilitation, and establishment and on-going assessment of fisheries enhancement structures.
Rural development will be promoted in the long-term through the provision and expansion of adequate agricultural infrastructure and technical and extension services. In addition agricultural research and development will be strengthened by developing appropriate technology and transferring the technology to farmers. The socio-economic well-being of rural families will be improved to a more sufficient level. Financial agricultural measures will be taken to encourage farmers' participation in domestic and international markets. The level of income will be increased in the fisheries sector through the support to the small-scale breeders. Water Users' Groups will be established in addition to farmers' groups. Programs will be established to strengthen the participation of youth and women participation in the agriculture sector. Entrepreneurial and employment opportunities will be created for rural youth and women.
Agro-industrial development will be promoted for all key agricultural sub-sectors through efficient competitive and diversified value-added agricultural production in accordance with the international standards. Agricultural marketing framework including structures, services, policies, linkages, standards, regional and international trade, will be strengthened for domestic and export markets. A strong and effective marketing information systems will be developed. Institutional capacity building will be strengthened to facilitate the on-going development of the agricultural sector. Public-Private Partnerships will be strengthened to increase competitiveness at local and national level in the agriculture sector. Moreover public-private investment will be stimulated in agribusiness value chain development. An Agricultural Health and Food Quality Management System will be established to ensure food safety. Furthermore action plans on food safety, animal and plant health will be implemented in an integrated manner. Plant protection and thereby food safety will be ensured through the implementation of a cost effective integrated pest management program for selected pests, diseases, weeds, and invasive alien species, and through the promotion of the reduction of pesticide use in greenhouse production system. Plant health certification systems and quarantine facilities will be developed in accordance with the international phytosanitary standards. Sustainable use of plant genetic resources and the equitable sharing of benefits arising out of their use will be ensured in compliance with the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture. Animal husbandry will be developed through effective feeding systems, disease control mechanisms, improvement of pasture management system, improvement of animal production, development – research and evaluation of husbandry systems, diversification of the livestock sector and capacity building. Land-use and soil databases will be developed by the Agricultural Land Management Division for soil conservation and improvement. Water supply infrastructure will be improved for irrigation purposes by constructing water catchment structures, rainwater harvesting systems and distribution systems.
In order to increase resilience of agriculture sector to the adverse impacts of climate change, use of plant and animal genetic resources and systems will be promoted for improved and adapted varieties. Climate-smart agriculture will be promoted in selected communities. Disaster risk management will be strengthened with the improved agricultural data collection system.