RADA Projects

The Fruit Tree Crop project has been in operations for eight (8) years. It was developed by the Ministry of Agriculture to increase the quantity and quality of flavours and fruits available to the local and export markets. Non- traditional orchard crops such as ackee, sour sop, naseberry, breadfruit and cashew are targeted for cultivation. A total of 1043 hectares of these orchard crops has been the established island wide as a result of the project.

Currently with a budget of J$10 million, RADA provides assistance to farmers in the establishment and maintenance of these orchards. Farmers are also educated on how to extend the health and life of the fruit trees, soil conservation and post-harvest treatment.

The project is to be expanded to include households within the corporate areas of Jamaica, showing a shift in focus to food security and health management of the population.

Domestic Food Crop Production & Marketing Project

This project was initiated in 1998 and targets the production of a selected group of crops, which were regularly in short supply for the local and export market. Crops targeted are Negro yam, yellow yam, sweet potato, red coco, tomato, hot peppers, scallion, plantain, dasheen and exotic vegetables.

RADA support farmers in the areas of irrigation, land preparations, and provision of planting materials. Under the project, RADA negotiates marketing arrangements for farmers to sell fresh produce to hotels, supermarkets, and agro processors.

Another component of the Domestic Food Crop Project is the transfer of technology. This involves training farmers in the areas greenhouse production, orchard management, tree crop resuscitation, maintaining a fruit tree nursery, as well as the distribution of chemicals, fertilizers and seedlings.

Backyard Garden Programme
The Backyard Garden Project seeks to revive subsistence farming island wide as a means of increasing household savings and reducing the country’s dependence on imports. Urban wasted land spaces have been targeted as areas suitable for planting fruits, vegetables and other food crops.

The programme is being implemented island wide, on a phased basis. Pilot projects were launched in Portmore and Spanish Town. Over 500 gardening kits consisting of seeds, soil nutrients, crop care information and basic gardening tools were issued to residents within these towns. Another 10,000 gardening kits will be made available to citizens through the local councils. Backyard gardens kits can also be obtained at farm and hardware stores island wide at an estimated cost of $1,500.

RADA Grant Contract

Image:Luxor, Banana Island, Banana Tree, Egypt, Oct 2004.jpg

The European Union has established a J$408.9 million grant to assist banana export farmers to remain viable. The Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) is responsible for the implementation of the four (4) year contract. The project falls under the EU Rural Diversification Programme and is expected to end in 2012.

RADA is in charge of promoting, implementing and financing alternative agricultural and non-agricultural enterprises, within traditional banana growing parishes. They also providing technical and administrative support for these alternative enterprises.

Labour Day Project
Under the national ‘Eat What You Grow; Grow What You Eat’ campaign theme, RADA distributed some 200,000 packets of vegetable seeds to schools island wide for planting. The project’s objective is to establish gardens, nurseries and greenhouses in schools; hence fostering the value of self-sufficiency in students. Prime Minister Bruce Golding launched the project on May 23, 2008 at Jamaica House.

The ultimate goal of the programme, however, is to increase food security within the island, and improve the diet and nutrient-intake of the Jamaican populace. To achieve this goal, RADA distributed 30,000 seedlings across the municipalities. A greenhouse shed was also built at the Buff Bay High and Tranquility Primary schools in Portland to produce fruit tree seedlings for future distribution to farms within the parish. Trees planted included ackee, breadfruit, guava, jackfruit, tamarind, cherry, mango, naseberry, pond apple (similar to soursop), June plum and lychee.