Jamaican Government Set to Allocate $1.8 Billion to Combat Praedial Larceny with New Agricultural Wardens Programme
KINGSTON, Jamaica—In a decisive move to tackle the rampant issue of praedial larceny, which has been costing Jamaican farmers approximately $14 billion annually, the government has unveiled an ambitious initiative. Over the next three years, $1.8 billion will be invested to recruit and train 300 agricultural wardens. This significant announcement was made by Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Floyd Green, during a media briefing at the ministry’s Hope Gardens Complex in St Andrew on Tuesday.
Highlighting the urgency of addressing the threat posed to the agricultural sector by praedial theft, Minister Green revealed that the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) has already begun the recruitment process, initially targeting 100 wardens. "Advertisements for agricultural wardens were placed on August 18 and 25," Green informed the House of Representatives. "I am pleased to announce that the first recruitment drive is occurring today at Godfrey Stewart High School in Westmoreland, starting from 8:00 am."
The response has been promising, with over 100 applicants already coming forward, reflecting the community’s eagerness to engage in safeguarding Jamaica’s agricultural industry.
Upon successful recruitment, the new wardens will undergo a comprehensive training programme, which is set to begin in January 2025. This training will cover a wide range of areas including enforcement and police procedures, firearm training, defensive tactics, community-based policing, and evidence recording. Reflecting the dual focus on agriculture, they will also be trained extensively in livestock classification, agricultural best practices, and legal aspects specific to praedial larceny.
Minister Green emphasized the broader objectives of the programme, which are aligned with the goals of the Praedial Larceny (Prevention) Act. The introduction of the Agricultural Wardens Programme aims to enhance the sector’s security by increasing enforcement actions against theft, thereby reducing economic losses for farmers. Wardens will operate with the powers of district constables, allowing them to effectively contribute to deterrence and prosecution efforts.
The programme’s $1.8 billion budget will see approximately $390 million spent in its first year, underscoring the government’s commitment to tackling this issue head-on. The expected outcomes include heightened surveillance and patrols, increased detection and prosecution rates, and a boost in community awareness—factors anticipated to lead to greater agricultural productivity and profitability. In the long term, the initiative is poised to fortify food security and economic stability across rural communities.
"This crucial initiative is an essential part of our government’s ongoing commitment and efforts to reduce the scourge of praedial larceny in the agricultural sector," Green stated. "By doing so, we support growth, food security, and rural transformation, ensuring a more stable and productive future for Jamaican agriculture."
The establishment of the Agricultural Wardens Programme represents a landmark moment in the fight against one of Jamaica’s most pressing agricultural challenges, promising transformative effects on the nation’s farming community.
