Local farmers to get first choice in supplying tourism sector

The Government is ensuring that local farmers have first preference in supplying the tourism sector as the country targets 10 million visitors and US$10 billion (approximately J$1.6 trillion) in tourism earnings over the next decade.

The move is in keeping with the tourism ministry’s Tourism 3.0 development framework, which is aimed at strengthening linkages and building capacity across local industries to ensure that more Jamaicans participate directly in the tourism value chain. Minister of State in the Ministry of Tourism, Tova Hamilton, said the strategy is intended to turn the steady demand from the industry into a reliable market for farmers through long-term commercial contracts. This will reduce the country’s dependence on imported food and keep more tourism-generated income within rural communities, she noted.

“Locally grown produce from Jamaican farmers must always be the first choice for hotels, resorts and restaurants,” she said.