On January 22, Jamaica launched its national celebration of the International Year of Plant Health. During the launch, Jamaica announced a series of national celebrations in recognition of the International Year that will carry through to November 2020.

Speaking at the national launch, FAO Representative, Dr Crispim Moriera noted that the international year was a global eye-opener on raising awareness and taking preventative action on plant pests and diseases. He added that as citizens we all needed to position ourselves to prevent plant pests and one of the major ways to do so was to avoid traveling with plants across borders. He highlighted that the country had to endevaour to prevent the introduction and spread of the Tropical Race disease that had been affecting our neighbouring country Colombia. He remarked that the experience of the Beet Armyworm in Jamaica, to which FAO had provided significant support in managing, was an example that remedial action is often times more costly in time and resources than preventative action.

Keynote speaker at the event, Honourable Audley Shaw, Minister of Industry Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries raised several important points during his message among which was news of the installation of disinfectant mats at the Norman Manley International Airport by February 1, 2020 to help in preventing the travel of plant pests from other countries and particularly the TR4.

Dr Moriera impressed that while FAO and the International Plant Protection Convention would continue to provide guidance and lead efforts towards plant health, collaboration with the public, academia, civil society, development partners, the private sector and all other stakeholders remained crucial to ensure plant health.

Other speakers at the launch were Mrs Sanniel Wilson-Graham, Chief Plant Quarantine Produce Inspector at the National Plant Protection Organization; Dr Gregory Robin, Representative of Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute; Dr Elizabeth Johnson, Jamaica’s Representative at the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture; Mr Brian Crichlow, Chairman for the Caribbean Plant Health Directors Forum; and Dr Richard Blair, Deputy Programme Manager, Agricultural Development- Directorate of Trade and Economic Integration- CARICOM Secretariat.

Global Launch of International Year of Plant Health

FAO held the global launch of the international year in December 2019 under the theme, Protecting Plants, Protecting Life. The theme expresses the importance of plant health to food security and our well-being. As we celebrate the International Year of Plant Health, we are encouraged to learn about our role in this effort so that we can collectively work to end hunger, reduce poverty, whilst protecting our environment and promoting economic growth.

Jamaica’s International Year of Plant Health Activities

January 31- Public Gardens Division Botanical & Horticultural Seminar
February 5- Jamaica 4H Clubs Youth in Agriculture Symposium
February 26- Hague Agricultural and Industrial Food Show
February/ March- Jamaica 4 H Clubs Parish Achievement Days
March 14 – Forestry Department Annual Trek
March 30- April 3 – IPPC Commission on Phytosanitary Meeting/ Farmer’s Month Activities in April
April 13 – Montpelier Agricultural Show
May 23 – AGROFEST
June 14-20 – IYPH Plant Health Week
July 13 – 17 – CPHD Forum
July 31- August 2- Denbigh Agricultural Show
October 5 – 8 – International Plant Health Conference
October 12 – 16 – Caribbean Week of Agriculture
October 16 – World Food Day
November 13 – Minard Livestock Show
November 25 – Eat Jamaican Day