Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Hon. Floyd Green (second from right), and Minister of State, Hon. Franklin Witter (left), share a moment with F.A.C.E. Jamaica Agriculture Scholarship recipients, Ms. Comara Shaw (second from left) and Mr. Emelio Archer (right), following the scholarship handover ceremony at the Ministry’s Hope Gardens offices in St. Andrew on Tuesday, August 25, 2026. The scholarships support specialised training aimed at strengthening Jamaica’s agricultural research and technical capacity.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining has awarded two F.A.C.E. Jamaica Agriculture Scholarships to support postgraduate training in plant and animal genetics and breeding, strengthening Jamaica’s scientific and technical capacity to address priority agricultural challenges.

The scholarships form part of the Ministry’s F.A.C.E. framework, Food Security, Agribusiness Development, Climate-Smart Technologies and Export Expansion, which guides targeted investment in the knowledge and specialised skills needed to strengthen agricultural production, resilience, innovation and competitiveness.

The recipients are Emelio Archer, Farm Manager at the Agro-Investment Corporation’s Minard Estate, who will pursue a Master of Animal Biosciences, specialising in Animal Genetics and Breeding; and Comara Shaw, Post-Entry Quarantine Officer (Tissue Culture) in the Ministry’s Research and Development Division, who will pursue a Master of Plant Agriculture, specialising in Plant Genetics and Breeding. Both will study at the University of Guelph in Canada.

Speaking at the scholarship handover ceremony at the Ministry’s Hope Gardens offices on Tuesday (August 25), Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Hon. Floyd Green, said the programme responds directly to the need for highly skilled professionals who can translate science, research and technology into practical solutions for Jamaica’s agricultural sector.

“We cannot meet these demands without making strategic investments in our most important resource: our people,” Minister Green said.

He noted that the scholarships complement wider Government investment in agricultural science, including more than J$7 billion allocated to the modernisation of the Ministry’s research programmes through the Rehabilitation of Research Centres Project.

Archer’s proposed research will explore the use of genomics to strengthen livestock breeding and identify animals with desirable genetic traits, while Shaw’s research will support the development of genetic information for improved local sweet potato varieties. Both recipients intend to apply the knowledge and technical skills gained to strengthen Jamaica’s agricultural sector.

Minister Green also encouraged greater private-sector participation in the programme through funding, mentorship, internships and research collaboration, and other forms of support, while recognising Associated Manufacturers Limited (Walkerswood) for its financial contribution to the scholarships.
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