The commissioning of the Essex Valley Agro-Processing Plant represents a transformative moment for farmers in Littitz and wider St. Elizabeth, signalling renewed commitment to value-added agriculture, resilience, and rural economic growth. The facility stands as a practical response to long-standing challenges faced by farmers, including post-harvest losses, limited storage, and restricted market access.

Delivering the keynote address, Prime Minister Andrew Holness emphasized that infrastructure alone is not enough without institutional and cultural reform within the agricultural sector.

“We must reform how we serve our farmers,” Prime Minister Holness said. “Institutional and cultural reform, largely service-based, is a critical factor in improving productivity and creating sustainable markets for farmers.”

He stressed that improving efficiency, responsiveness, and coordination across agencies is essential to unlocking the full potential of projects like Essex Valley. The Prime Minister also highlighted the importance of linking farmers directly to markets, supported by cold storage, processing, and logistics infrastructure.

Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining Floyd Green described the development as a historic milestone for the parish. 

“This is a monumental day for the farmers of St. Elizabeth,” Minister Green said. “Despite the many challenges our farmers face, from climate shocks to rising input costs, they continue to produce. This facility ensures that what cannot be sold fresh can now be processed, stored, and turned into income,” Green said. 

He noted that the plant’s modern equipment, cold storage capability, and processing infrastructure are critical components that will allow farmers to preserve produce, improve quality, and access new markets. According to the Minister, the project strengthens food security while creating jobs and stimulating economic activity within the community.

The Essex Valley Agro-Processing Plant forms part of the Government of Jamaica’s broader strategy to modernize agriculture through infrastructure investment, value chain development, and climate resilience. The project was implemented through the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF) under the Rural Economic Development Initiative (REDI II), with funding support from international development partners.

Minister of State in the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining and Member of Parliament for St. Elizabeth South Eastern, Franklyn Witter, underscored the determination behind the project’s completion.

“This project is a testament to commitment and perseverance,” Witter said. “Despite the disruptions caused by COVID-19 and the impact of Hurricane Melissa, we remained focused on delivery because we understood how important this facility would be to farmers and the wider community.”

He added that the plant aligns with the long-term development vision for southern St. Elizabeth, providing farmers with the infrastructure needed to transition from primary production to value-added activities.

International partners also highlighted the regional importance of investments tied to agricultural resilience. Andrew Bowden, Development Representative for Jamaica and the Caribbean Regional Counsellor, speaking on behalf of the British High Commission, pointed to the link between agriculture, climate resilience, and infrastructure development.

“The United Kingdom is investing approximately £350 million across 13 major resilient infrastructure projects in the Caribbean,” Bowden said. “Improved irrigation systems and agro-processing facilities such as Essex Valley are essential to protecting livelihoods, strengthening food systems, and building long-term resilience in the face of climate change.”

Bowden noted that modern irrigation and processing infrastructure help ensure that farmers can sustain production even during periods of drought or extreme weather, while reducing losses and improving profitability.

The Essex Valley Agro-Processing Plant is expected to benefit more than 1,500 farmers, providing them with access to modern processing equipment, cold storage, and administrative support. When fully operational, the facility will reduce post-harvest losses, increase farmer incomes, and strengthen St. Elizabeth’s role as Jamaica’s agricultural powerhouse.

As Jamaica continues to invest in resilient agricultural infrastructure, the Essex Valley project stands as a clear example of how targeted funding, strong partnerships, and sustained political commitment can translate into real benefits for farmers and rural communities.