Jamaica is set to undergo an aggressive fruit tree planting program over the next five years as part of a new government initiative, according to Jamaica Information Service.

The first million seedlings of the scheme, dubbed the Greening of Jamaica, will be made available over the next year.

“We want to plant one million fruit trees per year over the next five years,” Agriculture Minister Audley Shaw was quoted as saying.

He said it would cost around US$1.5 million in seedlings, but he expected the private sector would contribute financially to the project.

"This had environmental positives, such as the improvement to soil and air quality, (to) increase rainfall, reduce our carbon footprint, bolster community togetherness and provide a healthier alternative food source," he was quoted as saying.

He said the program was to be supported by the refurbishing of all markets across the island at a cost of US$400 million in a hope to stimulate interest in purchasing locally produced fruit and vegetables.

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