KINGSTON, Jamaica — In a bold move to safeguard the nation’s farmers, the Government of Jamaica has launched a sweeping initiative to crack down on agricultural theft, a persistent threat that has long crippled rural livelihoods. Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Floyd Green, outlined a comprehensive security push that includes legislative reform, specialized policing, and the deployment of a new cadre of agricultural enforcement personnel.
Speaking at a forum following his sectoral presentation at Hope Gardens on Wednesday, May 28, Minister Green emphasized that the fight against praedial larceny — the theft of agricultural produce and livestock — is no longer business as usual.
“This is about creating an ecosystem of protection for our farmers,” Green said. “We are no longer treating this as isolated theft — we are dealing with it like any other organized crime.”
Central to the effort is the establishment of a dedicated Agricultural Protection Branch within the Jamaica Constabulary Force. This specialized unit will handle crimes directly related to the agriculture sector and is expected to function with the same autonomy and focus as the country’s other specialized branches like CISOCA.
In tandem, the Ministry is rolling out an Agricultural Wardens Programme, introducing a new breed of officers Green described as “agriculture police.” Over 240 candidates have been pre-selected, with 100 slated to begin training and deployment later this year. These wardens will be embedded in high-risk zones where farmers are most vulnerable.
The plan also includes increased penalties for offenders. Legislative amendments have significantly raised fines for those found guilty of praedial larceny — from a mere $250,000 fine to up to $3 million and three years in prison. Additional changes currently before Parliament propose pushing fines even higher, up to $1 million, in some cases.
“This isn’t about optics — it’s about consequences,” Green said. “We’ve heard from farmers who feel helpless when repeat offenders walk free. That’s changing. If you steal from a farmer, you will feel the weight of the law.”
The Ministry is also leveraging technology, with the Jamaica Constabulary Force preparing to introduce drone surveillance in rural areas — a move aimed at giving law enforcement eyes in places they previously could not reach.
Green stressed that farmer participation is essential to success. “Report every incident. If you don’t report it, we don’t know where to act,” he urged, noting that the Government prioritizes resources based on reported crime data.
Community-driven safety has also been emphasized. Green applauded the creation of farmers’ watch groups in regions like Trelawny, where coordinated local action has drastically reduced incidents of theft.
“We need communities standing together. In places where farmers have organized, we’ve seen thefts go down to zero,” Green stated.
Encouraging signs are already emerging. Arrests related to agricultural theft rose by 80% between 2023 and 2024. Vehicle seizures linked to the crime have also surged, from eight in 2023 to 28 last year — a result of tighter enforcement on suspected offenders transporting stolen goods.
With these changes, the Government hopes to reverse years of damage and send a strong message: Jamaica’s farmers are no longer alone.
“We’re not waiting for another farmer to lose their livelihood,” said Green. “We’re acting now, and we intend to make every acre of farmland in this country safer.”
