PROTECTING OUR FARMERS IS PROTECTING OUR FUTURE
MINISTERS LAUD JCF’S LAUNCH OF AGRICULTURAL PROTECTION BRANCH
Government ministers have hailed the establishment of the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s new Agricultural Protection Branch (APB) as a transformative step in the country’s fight against praedial larceny, organised farm theft, and rural insecurity.
Describing the launch as “a big deal on so many fronts,” Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining Floyd Green said the decision to elevate agricultural protection to the level of a full branch of the police force represents a historic policy shift in how the state approaches farming-related crime.
“There’s no better way to do it than to form a branch of the JCF that is focused on agricultural protection,” said Minister Green. “This is a big deal… and I really want to start by commending the Commissioner and his team for getting this done.”
A Stronger Police Response, Backed by Government
The newly launched APB brings together specially trained officers and agricultural wardens to tackle what officials now categorise as a national security threat. For decades, farmers and agricultural stakeholders have pleaded for a more robust and coordinated response to the theft of crops and livestock. Now, that call is being answered at the highest levels of the Jamaican State.
“For decades, our farmers used to say that praedial larceny did not get the sort of attention that it needed. I think no one can question now the focus, the energy, and the resources that are being put behind the fight against praedial larceny,” said Green.
The establishment of the new branch comes amid a broader legislative and operational push by the government to modernise and expand enforcement capabilities in the rural economy. Minister Green outlined reforms already undertaken in Parliament, including amendments to the Agricultural Produce Act, increased fines, longer prison terms and new licensing and traceability requirements.
“We changed the fine from $250,000 to $3 million. We changed the prison time from six months to three years. We’re also strengthening the receipt book system so that anyone in commercial agriculture must be able to verify how they got their products.”
More recently, the government has tabled further amendments to the Praedial Larceny Prevention Act, with the aim of making fines more realistic in light of current market values and giving more powers to agricultural wardens. “Frankly, $40,000 cannot buy you a goat. We’re moving a lot of those fines to at least a million dollars,” Minister Green said.
Collaboration Across Ministries
Also speaking at the launch was State Minister in the Ministry of National Security, Juliet Cuthbert-Flynn, who described the move as a “proud and purposeful moment” in Jamaica’s efforts to defend the food chain, protect rural livelihoods, and dismantle criminal networks.
“The launch of the Agricultural Protection Branch within the JCF is more than an operational milestone. It is a materialisation of collaborative work across government to defend the lifeblood of rural communities and the livelihood of many Jamaican men and women.” She noted that the creation of the new branch underscores a deepening of the government’s “joined-up” governance model—bringing together the security, agricultural, and legal arms of the State in a unified response.
“I’m very happy that the Ministry of National Security is very much on board. It’s not just a JCF thing. It’s not just an agriculture thing. It’s not just a security thing. It is completely joined up in what we are doing.”
Feeding the Nation, Securing the Future
With over 270,000 registered farmers and many more operating informally, agriculture remains Jamaica’s largest employer and a crucial part of its social fabric. Both ministers expressed confidence that the new policing structure will not only reduce farm theft but also boost investor confidence and food security. “By securing our farms, we are indeed feeding our future. This establishment of this branch is a move to safeguard national food security,” said Cuthbert-Flynn.
The deployment of over 300 agricultural wardens will add a new layer of boots on the ground, while integration with digital traceability systems will support modern enforcement practices. The wardens, who are expected to serve as community liaisons, will help rebuild trust with farmers and collect vital intelligence to disrupt organised criminal networks operating in rural areas. “Your presence offers reassurance,” the state minister said. “It tells our farmers that they’re not alone and that the state stands with them.”
As both ministries move to finalise the legislative and regulatory frameworks needed to support the branch, the message from the government is clear: Jamaica is no longer treating praedial larceny as a side issue but as a national priority. “The Agricultural Protection Branch will ultimately protect our farmers, protect our food, and more than that—will protect our future,” Minister Green declared.