5.1.1. Specific Adaptation Strategies

As part of the Long-Term Strategy (LTS), specific actions were identified to enhance climate resilience in Jamaica’s agriculture sector. Based on the objectives outlined in the LTS, a set of targeted adaptation strategies was developed for the sector, each linked to clear, measurable goals. These strategies focus on Climate-Smart Agriculture, improved irrigation systems, and the adoption of climate-resilient crops. Key interventions include expanding agroforestry, conservation tillage, crop rotation, terrace farming, and the integration of technologies such as cold storage and drones—covering up to 34,100 hectares and delivering 6,000 training sessions. Irrigation efforts prioritize rainwater harvesting, drip and subsurface systems, alongside training for 2,500 farmers. Crop substitution strategies promote climate-tolerant varieties across 5% of cropland and include innovations such as insect farming, hydroponics, cassava feed alternatives, and sweet potato initiatives. All actions are aligned with national development plans, including Vision 2030 Jamaica, and have been validated through stakeholder consultations.

Table 11. Adaptation strategies for agriculture and crop resilience

LTS action	Specific strategy	Target	Source
Climate Smart Agriculture	Expansion of agroforestry systems	34,100 hectares	Validated during workshop
Climate Smart Agriculture	Implementation of terrace systems	5,683 hectares	Input from workshop
Climate Smart Agriculture	Crop rotation in annual crops	5 % of the cropland (17,050 hectares)	Validated during workshop
Climate Smart Agriculture	Implementation of conservation tillage	5 % of the cropland (17,050 hectares)	Validated during workshop
Climate Smart Agriculture	Implementation of intercropping in annual crops	5 % of the cropland (17,050 hectares)	Get The Facts – Climate-Smart Farming Practices
Climate Smart Agriculture	Installation of cold storage facilities	25 facilities	Input from workshop
Climate Smart Agriculture	Drone acquisition	1,250 drones	Input from workshop
Climate Smart Agriculture	Training farmers in drone use	1,250 trainings	Validated during workshop
Climate Smart Agriculture	Trainings on climate smart agriculture	6,000 trainings	Validated during workshop
Innovative irrigation methods	Implementation of rainwater harvesting systems with a capacity of 680 m³ each	125 systems	Get The Facts – Climate-Smart Farming Practices
Innovative irrigation methods	Implementation of drip irrigation	4,975 hectares	QUARTERLY PERFORMANCE REVIEW REPORT [APRIL – JUNE 2021]
Innovative irrigation methods	Subsurface irrigation	1,245 hectares	Input from workshop
Innovative irrigation methods	Training farmers in the use of irrigation	2,500 trainings	DRIP IRRIGATION SYSTEMS FED BY RAINWATER HARVESTING
Climate-Resilient Crop Substitution	Pest and disease-tolerant varieties implementation	5 % of the cropland (17,050 hectares)	Validated during workshop
Climate-Resilient Crop Substitution	Heat-tolerant varieties implementation	5 % of the cropland (17,050 hectares)	Validated during workshop
Climate-Resilient Crop Substitution	Water stress-tolerant varieties implementation	5 % of the cropland (17,050 hectares)	Validated during workshop
Climate-Resilient Crop Substitution	Flood-tolerant varieties implementation	5 % of the cropland (17,050 hectares)	Input from workshop
Climate-Resilient Crop Substitution	Wind-tolerant varieties of banana	1,400 hectares	Input from workshop
Climate-Resilient Crop Substitution	Development of insect production systems (farms), each measuring 100 m²	13 insect farms	Input from workshop
Climate-Resilient Crop Substitution	Adoption of hydroponic fodder production for livestock	Projected to reach 5 % of livestock by 2050	Input from workshop
Climate-Resilient Crop Substitution	Cassava root meal as substitute for maize in animal feed	30 % of maize used for animal feed is replaced by cassava	Vision 2030 Jamaica
Climate-Resilient Crop Substitution	Implementation of vertical farming	25 facilities	Input from workshop
Climate-Resilient Crop Substitution	Provision of sweet potato planting material	625 hectares	Input from workshop
Climate-Resilient Crop Substitution	Trainings on sweet potato technical management	375 trainings	Validated during workshop