The SAC Project is enhancing Jamaica’s yam sector resilience through the Sweet Yam Pilot Project, aiming to improve planting material reliability. Led by Munish Persaud, the five-year project, funded by Global Affairs Canada, engages farmers and promotes lasting progress beyond its conclusion, emphasizing collaboration and innovative techniques.
The Sustainable Agriculture in the Caribbean (SAC) Project is enhancing the resilience of Jamaica’s yam-producing sector. At the heart of this initiative is the Sweet Yam Pilot Project, which aims to improve the reliability of planting material. The Deputy Project Director, Munish Persaud, highlighted the project’s goal to engage as many farmers as possible in innovative yam production efforts.
Mr. Persaud, who also serves as the Advisor on Agriculture and Capacity Building with the World University Service of Canada (WUSC) Caribbean, noted that this five-year, Can$20 million project benefits five nations, including Jamaica, Suriname, Guyana, St. Lucia, and Dominica. The project is expected to conclude in March 2026, with a potential six-month extension to ensure market system resilience.
Given the region’s vulnerability to climate change and natural disasters, maintaining a resilient yam-producing sector is crucial. Mr. Persaud emphasized the importance of sustaining progress beyond the project’s duration, acknowledging that significant damages can often undermine achieved gains.
To foster resilience, the project has successfully established a coalition of stakeholders committed to maintaining system integrity. Mr. Persaud stated, “If I’m to talk about a single success, it is about how we see cooperation, collaboration and complementarity, as a means to enhancing system coordination and building systems resilience.”
The SAC project adopts a multi-stakeholder approach to tackle farmers’ challenges, aiming to empower all producers, whether they be female, youth, or male. Mr. Persaud remarked that they view challenges as opportunities for solutions rather than obstacles, furthering the project’s goals. The SAC project, funded by Global Affairs Canada, seeks to utilize innovative techniques for the production of sweet yam, ensuring continuous access to disease-free and high-quality planting material through the Integrated Market Systems (IMS) approach.
The Sustainable Agriculture in the Caribbean Project is pivotal in strengthening the yam-producing sector in Jamaica, focusing on innovative farming techniques and empowering farmers. By promoting resilience against climate change and future market challenges, the project aims to ensure lasting improvements after its conclusion. The collaborative approach involving all stakeholders further enhances the project’s viability and effectiveness, showcasing a promising future for yam production in the region.
Original Source: jis.gov.jm
