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ICT helps to improve agricultural sector in Jamaica
| Source: | The Communication Initiative |
| Country: | Jamaica [JM] |
| Sector: | | |
The agricultural sector in Jamaica employs approximately 19% of Jamaica’s labour force and accounts for more than one-tenth of its merchandise exports. The sector currently faces the challenge of improving upon its efficiency, competitiveness, and productivity in order to be able to contribute as planned to the gross domestic product (GDP).
Exacerbating these challenges is the use of inappropriate technologies, an issue the Ministry of Agriculture hopes to address through a sector transformation programme that includes the adoption of appropriate technologies. Technology transfer and research is among the 5 major strategic platforms the Ministry of Agriculture plans to leverage in order to improve upon the sector's competitiveness and efficiency, and thereby increase its contribution to Jamaica's economic growth.
That is why several initiatives are taken to stimulate the development of the agricultural sector. One of these is the Agri-Business Information System (ABIS), a computer-based information system to collect and disseminate to interested parties information on crops, marketing, agricultural stakeholders, and agricultural production. This system is currently under development. The ABIS was originally initiated and supported by a partner of the ICT4D Jamaica information and exchange network.