Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries Floyd Green says the Sugar Company of Jamaica Holdings (SCJH) has accelerated the reallocation of lands formerly used for sugarcane cultivation into alternative agricultural endeavours.

Green, during his remarks at a press briefing at the ministry’s office, shared that the company was tasked with the transition process and commended it for the work done thus far.

“We have now about 65,000 acres that were former sugar lands that are now put into agriculture across different dispensations, whether it be cash crops, animal rearing, orchards, or other initiatives,” said the minister.

He shared that in 2023, an additional 2,500 acres were put into different activities. There were 17 cash-crop allocations amounting to 614 acres. Additionally, animal rearing allocation amounted to 7.5 acres, and Orchard allocation was across 25 acres.

“I have seen some exciting initiatives come to the fore. In fact, one of the most notable allocations last year is [that] the Sugar Company has leased, now, 500 acres which will go into castor bean production for the development of our castor oil sector,” said Green.

The minister shared that the Government is looking to transition from sugar to new areas, which have a high demand. As such, he says a castor oil project will be launched this year through the help of a private investment.