Over 200 certified under FAO Rural Livelihoods Project in Kitson Town

More than 200 farmers, youth, and entrepreneurs in Kitson Town have been certified under a US$1 million Improving Rural Livelihoods Through Resilient Agrifood Systems project, a rural-development initiative implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in partnership with the governments of Jamaica and India, with funding from the India-UN Partnership Development Fund.

The certification ceremony was held Monday at the Spring Village Foundation Campus.

Speaking at the event, FAO Representative Dr Ana Touza commended participants for their commitment over the nearly three-year programme, describing the ceremony as a celebration of discipline and self-belief.

“Many of you did not stop at one course. You trained across multiple areas – climate-resilient crop production, livestock rearing, food safety, entrepreneurship, and training of trainers. You stayed the course, and that matters,” Touza said.

The project aimed to strengthen rural livelihoods by placing practical skills and technologies directly into the hands of farmers and rural entrepreneurs. Of the more than 200 individuals trained, nearly 63 per cent are women and over one-third are youth.

Participants received support in protected agriculture systems and livestock enterprises, including poultry, goats, pigs, and beekeeping.

The initiative also supported the design of a post-harvest facility intended to expand economic opportunities within the community.

GLOBAL FRAMEWORK

Touza said the programme reflects FAO’s global ‘Four Betters’ framework – better production, better nutrition, better environment, and a better life. She also highlighted that 2026 is being observed by the FAO as the International Year of the Woman Farmer.

“When women farmers are equipped with skills, resources, and networks, local economies grow stronger and communities become more resilient,” she stated.

Referencing the impact of Hurricane Melissa, she noted that climate extremes are now a recurring reality, underscoring the need for resilient farming practices.

Participant Patricia Morgan said she benefited tremendously from the training.

“I have learned alot, so much, from you guys, and I am grateful, very thankful,” she said, noting that she acquired special skills in entrepreneurship.

Small poultry farmer Corale Morgan was equally appreciative.

“I am used to raising my chicken, but now I got much more experience doing the books, I am so proud of FAO and the team,” she said.

However, president of the Kitson Town CDC, Devon Thompson, while acknowledging that the training was beneficial, expressed concerns about what he described as the “tangibles” delivered.

“The “tangibles” has to do with everything agriculture, and there are times when the whole scope has to be changed because of the situation in Kitson Town as it relates to drought and irrigation issues,” he told The Gleaner, while acknowledging that livestock, poultry, and supplies were provided.

Project manager Dr Inessa Salonao responded by outlining material support already distributed.

“We have been distributing livestock, renovating, and building poultry houses, renovated a pig pen, distributing bags of feeds, farming tools, fertilizers, and animals for the participants. We are talking about more than one hundred participants who have received these benefits and more to come,” she said.

She added that US$50,000 had been approved to carry out a similar capacity-building initiative in parishes ravaged by Hurricane Melissa, with implementation expected to begin soon.

Indian High Commissioner to Jamaica Mayank Joshi also hailed the success of the programme and its diverse training components.

ruddy.mathison@gleanerjm.com