The GOJ/AFP was launched on November 2, 2012. Since 2013, the PIOJ has been implementing the programme in partnership with a wide group of private and public sector stakeholders. 

Objectives of the GOJ/Adaptation Fund Programme

The GOJ/AFP is aimed at protecting livelihoods, food security and safeguarding our natural resources, particularly in rural and coastal communities which are vulnerable to the adverse impacts of climate change. 

The Programme

(i) strengthens coastal resilience

(ii) improves land and water management for the agricultural sector

(iii) builds institutional and local capacity for climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction.

The Programme provides technical support and funding resources to farmers in over 200 farming communities in St Ann, Manchester, Clarendon, St Thomas, St Mary, Trelawny, St Catherine and Portland as well as the government’s agro parks. RADA extension officers and select state agencies are also beneficiaries under the GOJ/AFP. The GOJ/AFP is directly linked to Vision 2030 Jamaica (outcomes 13 and 14 of Goal 4). At the global level, the programme is in sync with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, being closely aligned to SDGs 13, 14 and 15.

Highlights of the programme to date

• Economic impact on the agriculture sector (improved livelihoods, greater food security, import substitution with respect to onions and Irish potatoes, etc)
• Improved local capacity and reduced vulnerabilities (built climate resilience in communities and schools)
  
• More empowered and knowledgeable communities (increased awareness of the environment and climate change).

Specifically:

• Trained 130 farmers using the Land Husbandry Farmer Field School (FFS) methodology and 30 RADA Extension Officers in FFS facilitation
• Produced and disseminated Land Husbandry Manuals in 14 parishes and established 11 land husbandry demonstration plots
• Established and strengthened 21 Water Users groups to improve land and water management in seven parishes
• Spent $71.0 million on rainwater harvesting and small-scale irrigation systems and installed 220 gravity drip irrigation systems 
• Produced climate risk atlas to guide local level planning and redefine high water marks and setbacks in Negril
• Provided financial and technical support to 3 000 students in 16 rural schools for climate change awareness, school nutrition programmes and better environmental management
• Positively impacted Jamaica’s food security, poverty reduction and import substitution strategy with input and support which resulted in the reaping of 7 500 tonnes of Irish potatoes and 174 tonnes of onions
• Enhanced agricultural education by providing $11 000 000 to CASE to support construction of a Tunnel Ventilated House.