KINGSTON, Jamaica – Jamaica says it has reached an agreement with Barbados to implement a joint youth exchange programme aimed at strengthening cooperation in livestock and crop production.
Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining Floyd Green (File Photo)The initiative, to be undertaken through the Regional Youth in Agriculture Strategy, is expected to begin by the fourth quarter of the 2025-2026 financial year and will expose young people to modern technologies and climate-smart practices, supporting the region’s efforts to build a skilled network of young farmers.
“Barbados’ efforts to scale regional livestock production align closely with Jamaica’s own vision for growth,” said Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining Floyd Green, adding “we are moving decisively to strengthen our cattle and small ruminant base, improve breeding stock and protect our genetic lines”.
Earlier this year, Green announced a new era of research and innovation aimed at improving genetic resources, building resilience against disease and modernising breeding and pasture systems. Already, national breeding programmes are integrating improved genetics, embryo transfer and artificial insemination technologies to enhance herd quality and output, according to the ministry.
In a statement, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining said these advancements complement Barbados’s leadership with the Black Belly Sheep, a breed native to the island and recognised across the Caribbean for its adaptability, meat quality and economic potential.
“I am happy that, together with Minister (Indar) Weir from Barbados, we are playing a role in advancing our region’s collective drive toward greater self-sufficiency and food security,” Green added.
The statement said that his comments followed bilateral talks at the recently held 19th Caribbean Week of Agriculture (CWA 2025) held in St Kitts and Nevis where discussions focused on strengthening the region’s small ruminant industry, including the expansion of the Black Belly Sheep programme being driven by Barbados.
Jamaica will host the 20th session of the Caribbean Week of Agriculture next year and Green said the staging “will provide a tremendous opportunity for us to translate some of the commitments made this year into real actions and to follow up by monitoring how far we have come over the next year”.
