The Southern Plains Agricultural Development (SPAD) Initiative

The Agro-Investment Corporation, under the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Mining, leads the implementation of the SPAD Initiative with support from the United Kingdom Caribbean Infrastructure Development Fund (UKCIF) and the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB). The initiative aims to improve crop production and economic stability of small- and medium-scale farmers in St. Catherine and Clarendon through diaspora investment and skills transfer. It was launched during the 10th Biennial Jamaica Diaspora Conference and reported to attract interest from diaspora investors.