Major Cold Storage and Irrigation Projects to Boost Food Security in St. Elizabeth
Jamaica Live News Desk– | Aug 30, 2025
St. Elizabeth, Jamaica — A state-of-the-art cold storage facility is being built in St. Elizabeth, a move the Government says will play a critical role in stabilizing food prices and strengthening the island’s food security. Farmers and agro-processors could have access to much-needed cold storage as early as June 2025, when the Essex Valley cold storage facility in St. Elizabeth is scheduled for completion.
Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Floyd Green, announced that the 24,000-square-foot complex will provide modern cold storage solutions to preserve excess produce during times of surplus and natural disasters such as hurricanes, ensuring a steady supply of food during shortages. Floyd Green, revealed that the Essex Valley site, currently under construction, will be the largest government-owned cold storage facility in the country. Spanning more than 3,000 square feet, the facility will have the capacity to hold up to 20 containers and includes full processing capabilities.
“This is one of many cold storage facilities being developed across the island,” Green said, noting that the project is designed to give farmers in St. Elizabeth—Jamaica’s ‘breadbasket parish’—the support needed to scale up production and protect their livelihoods.
“It’s going to be something to behold. We do expect it will be completed by June, and our Prime Minister [Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness] will be able to open that facility,” Minister Green told journalists during a post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House on Wednesday, April 9.
Expanding Cold Storage Capacity Nationwide
The St. Elizabeth development is just one of several cold storage projects under way. Construction is also progressing on a $124-million cold storage unit in Kirkvine, Manchester, which is expected to be completed by August 2025. That project, being implemented through the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF) under the Rural Economic Development Initiative (REDI) II, will benefit more than 1,500 farmers and producers in the area.
Export-Ready and Fully Certified
According to Minister Green, the facility will be certified to the highest international food safety standards, making it suitable for export markets around the world. “This ensures our farmers are not only growing for Jamaica but also have access to global supply chains,” he explained.
The complex will also include advanced washing and peeling stations, along with dedicated puree production areas. These features will allow local producers to go beyond supplying raw crops by processing goods into value-added products, increasing both earnings and competitiveness in the export market.
Powered by Renewable Energy
Significantly, the new facility will be powered by its own renewable energy and water systems, aligning with the Government’s commitment to sustainability and reducing reliance on the national grid.
Boosting Prices and Farmers’ Income
The Agriculture Minister emphasized that the project’s impact goes beyond storage, noting that by reducing spoilage and extending shelf life, it will help stabilize prices in local markets. Additionally, the facility’s export readiness will create new revenue streams for farmers, allowing Jamaica to earn valuable foreign exchange from agriculture.
“This is about empowering our farmers, protecting consumers, and ensuring Jamaica is food secure, no matter the challenges we face,” Green stated.
The St. Elizabeth project forms part of a wider national initiative to build modern cold storage infrastructure across Jamaica, aimed at transforming the agriculture sector into a stronger, more resilient pillar of the economy.
In addition, the Government has commenced the procurement process to refurbish the Coleyville cold storage unit in Manchester, while also advancing plans for modular cold storage units across the island. These facilities will help farmers store excess produce during periods of surplus and natural disasters, reducing spoilage and ensuring greater price stability.
Minister Green emphasized that the Ministry is placing renewed focus on storage infrastructure. “When our farmers have periods of excess, they must have somewhere to store it. That is key to food security and export readiness,” he explained.
Irrigation Projects to Boost Production
Alongside storage, irrigation remains a central part of the Government’s agricultural agenda. Minister Green announced that the Parnassus Irrigation Scheme in Clarendon—part of the Southern Plains Agricultural Development Project—will be launched later this month. Prime Minister Holness is expected to officially commission the system on April 23.
The scheme will deliver irrigation access to arable lands in Amity Hall and Bridge Pen (St. Catherine) and Parnassus (Clarendon), increasing productivity for farmers in those areas.
Overall, the Ministry’s goal is to bring 1,600 hectares of land under irrigation, in addition to the 3,000 hectares that will be covered under the Pedro Plains Irrigation Scheme.
Building a Resilient Agricultural Sector
The Government’s investments in cold storage and irrigation reflect a broader strategy to reduce post-harvest losses, stabilize food prices, and expand Jamaica’s agricultural exports. By combining modern storage solutions with reliable irrigation, officials say Jamaica is building a more resilient and competitive farming sector that can withstand climate shocks while generating income for rural communities.