GROWING AGRICULTURE AND INCOMES IN THE FACE OF CLIMATE

CHANGE:

Disease-Free Planting Materials to Safeguard Food Security and Manage Climate-Driven Pests and

Diseases

Presenter: Alvin MurraySenior Agricultural Coordinator (Regional)

WUSC PROPEL

Background Up to the Mid-60s: Jamaica was the 3rd largest

producer of ginger worldwide Jamaica still offers the best quality in the world At present, 70% of ginger used in Jamaica is

imported Inconsistent Quantity - Buyers abroad now refuse to

enter contracts (frequent change of formulations) Low production due to Rhizome Rot and viruses

that affect sweet potatoes Clean planting materials must be replenished every

2-3 years

Major Factors As climate change takes effect, higher temperatures

result in increased insect populations/vectors of plant viruses and soil organisms, such as those causing Rhizome rot

Poor Quality Planting Materials - Farmers continue to reuse planting materials from previous infected crops

Inadequate planting materials to establish 150 hectares of ginger and 300 hectares of sweet potato per year

Inability to recover after droughts and disasters due to unavailability of clean planting materials

Disease Affected Plants

Consequences of Using Disease Affected Planting Material

Producers are unable to reap desired yields

Producers struggle to get 6,000 to 10,000 LBS/acre. Use of disease-free plants should yield approximately 20 000 lbs/acre

Increased costs of production Inability to consistently supply the

market

MethodologyPARTNERSHIP WITH THE SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH COUNCIL AND BODLES

RESEARCH STATIONPROPEL AS A CATALYST:

Build the capacity to produce desired quantities of disease-free materials

Research institutions have facilitated the production of disease-free Irish potatoes, sweet potatoes, ginger, and sweet yam

Greenhouse operators (intermediaries) grow out planting material for open field farmers, who will in turn supply High Value Market (HVM)

Buyers collect funds for planting materials that will be used to provide inputs for next planting season

Outcomes and Results

Outcomes and Results Cont’d

The Way Forward

The Way Forward

RECOMMENDATIONS

Mechanization of the industry to improve productivity Implementation of rain water harvesting and irrigation

methods Bulk of production of crops during winter months - November

to April (low hurricane probability) Need for increase in value-added processes and storage

activities for produce and planting materials (hurricane-proof shelter)

The Facilitation of: private sector investments to produce six million to 12

million ginger plants per annum, at JAD $15.00/each

12 million sweet potato slips per annum at JAD $5.00/each