Jamaica’s Agriculture Ministry takes steps to prevent praedial larceny

Jamaica’s Ministry of Agriculture says several measures are being implemented to heighten praedial larceny prevention and safeguard the sector.

According to Agriculture Minister, Pearnel Charles Jr., submissions are being made to Cabinet to assist in wiping out the illicit practice.

“We are and have been, for the last year, focused on developing the framework. We have a submission that’s going to Cabinet that will allow us to advance our agricultural wardens. We have a submission that’s going to help us to bring the investment that is needed to increase the technology around praedial larceny prevention,” said Charles who was speaking during a recent tour of onion farms in the eastern parish of St. Thomas.

He said praedial larceny has been having a deleterious impact on agriculture, noting that it remains a discouraging factor for many persons desirous of becoming farmers.

Consequently, he said the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), last year, facilitated praedial larceny prevention training for police officers, which covered all aspects of the illicit act.

The minister added that efforts will be made to boost farmers’ associations and organizations, “so that they can become more aware of what they can do to protect each other.”

“So, there’s a lot that we are doing and a lot more that we intend to do. But I can assure you we have sent a message.

You’ll notice that last year, we caught a couple of persons that we never caught before and I sent a strong message to Jamaica,” he further stated.

Charles maintained the matter is “not an agriculture issue only”, but also a national security issue, which is being responded to from a multi-ministerial and multi-agency perspective.

CMC