The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) has launched a landmark collaboration with the CARICOM Private Sector Organisation (CPSO) and SEPROD, the Caribbean’s largest food and FMCG distributor, to fast-track the development of superior forage and dual-purpose sorghum varieties in Jamaica. The initiative aims to address a 20–30 per cent forage shortage, enhance livestock yields, improve climate resilience, and help reduce CARICOM’s $6 billion food import bill by 25 per cent by 2030.

ICRISAT will introduce elite sorghum lines and hybrids developed and tested in Asia, while building capacity for SEPROD staff and national stakeholders in climate-smart agronomy, precision input management, and forage conservation. The project will evaluate at least 10 multi-cut forage sorghum lines over two seasons, fast-tracking 1–2 adaptable varieties for commercial deployment, initially on SEPROD’s Belvedere and Golden Grove farms, with potential expansion across the region.

By integrating advanced science with private sector leadership, the partnership seeks to reshape Caribbean livestock feed systems, boost milk production, and transition rapidly from research to commercial impact. The initiative exemplifies the CARICOM vision of leveraging innovation and enterprise to strengthen regional food security, create value for farmers and consumers, and build resilient, sustainable agricultural systems.