Shelly-Ann Thompson, Staff Reporter

The Government has allocated $140 million for the revitalisation of the dairy industry, which will include the importation of cows.

Of the $140 million, some $20 million will be spent on the purchasing of livestock.

The process to increase the stock of cows begins this year and will last for another four years through a collaboration of the Ministry of Agriculture, the Beef and Dairy Producers Association of Jamaica (BDPAJ), and other stakeholders in the industry.

Shortage of cows

There is a shortage of cows in the island. Between 1992 and 2005, more than 500 dairy farmers went out of business. The country imports about 10 million kilogram of beef annually, while 10.75 million kilogram are produced locally, each year.

Additionally, some 14 million litres of fresh milk were produced last year, significantly less than the 140 million litres needed for consumption.

Speaking with The Gleaner yesterday, Balfeano Duffus, general secretary of the BDPAJ, said several factors, such as the liberalisation of trade in the 1990s and spiralling interest rates, have forced many dairy farmers out of business.

However, he said recently there has been an upturn in the demand for beef and dairy products. "We are now faced with food security issues and rising costs of beef and dairy products," said Duffus.

Starting this year, the Government is seeking to import about 1,500 Jersey yearlings (one-year-old heifers) over the next three years.

There are additional plans to import 6,000 Jersey cow embryos out of New Zealand.

Richard Miller, dairy production specialist at the Dairy Development Board, said under the dairy revitalisation programme concentration will also be placed on pasture improvements and training for farmers.

Among the strategies being outlined are plans to reduce praedial larceny that has plagued the dairy sector.