Rabat – Amid a devastating global supply shortage, Morocco has gifted 1,200 metric tons of fertilizer to support Jamaica’s agriculture. Jamaica’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Kamina Johnson Smith spoke at a press conference organized by the country’s agricultural ministry, where she highlighted Morocco’s valued support.
Amid a fertilizer supply crisis that has been severely worsened by the conflict in Ukraine, many countries around the world are left scrambling to secure sufficient fertilizer supplies. Amid this global crisis “the Government and people of Morocco kept faith with Jamaica,” Kamina Johnson Smith emphasized.
“While this shipment which should have arrived previously was delayed by the pandemic, we were confident that our Moroccans friends would not relent in their efforts to ensure its delivery,” Jamaica’s FM told local newspaper the Jamaica Gleaner.
“I want to extend our deep appreciation to Morocco for its commitment to South-South co-operation and in deepening the ties which exist between our two countries,” she added.
‘Solid track record of cooperation’
The strong ties between Morocco and the Caribbean country were on full display this week, as Jamaican farmers are set to benefit from high-quality Moroccan fertilizer to support local agriculture. The positive relations between Morocco and Jamaica have proven to be much more than symbolic diplomacy, as the Jamaican FM thanked its North African partner.
The Jamaica Gleaner reported on Johnson Smith’s statement as she spoke of the “very solid track record of cooperation between Jamaica and Morocco since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 2008.”
She further highlighted that the Moroccan National Institute for Agricultural Research is currently in discussion with Jamaica to “identify additional opportunities for expanding the areas of cooperation, consistent with Jamaica’s national priorities and objectives.”
Pearnel Charles Jr, Jamaica’s Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, on Wednesday told the Jamaica Observer that Morocco donated 24,000 bags of fertilizer, worth $122 million.
Charles Jr highlighted that the donation is part of “a larger or more substantive technical assistance programme that will examine Jamaica’s soil fertility to address some of the underlying issues within the farming sector.” He added, “This donation is very timely and will go a long way in assisting our farmers.”
Jamaica has been a strong supporter of Morocco’s Western Sahara position, withdrawing in 2019 its recognition of the self-styled republic promulgated by Polisario separatists and Algeria, their primary financial and military backer.
