Farmers are being encouraged to report losses resulting from larceny to the police, in order to bolster efforts to address the issue. Chairman of the Jamaica 4-H Clubs Island Advisory Council, Reverend Roy Wickham, says existing measures being implemented by the Government may not be as effective unless the farmer makes a report. “There are those farmers who will tell...

Parish Secretary, Kingston 4-H Clubs, Georgia McPherson (centre) serves stew June plum to a patron at the Lauriston/Thompson Pen Community 4-H Club stew festival, held at Brooklyn Park in Spanish Town, St. Catherine on November 4.

Farmers and stakeholders in the agricultural sector are being encouraged to use technology to help prevent farm theft. The advice comes from Chairman of the Youth in Agriculture Committee, Joseph Small. In a recent JIS Get the Facts Interview, Mr. Small pointed out that there are measures farmers can implement to safeguard their crop, property and livestock. “What we would...

Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Hon. Floyd Green, says egg farmers must seek to craft a strategic marketing campaign to heighten public awareness about the value of consuming their product. “We must let [our people] know how important eggs are to the daily diet. In fact, they are probably the best low-cost source of protein, minerals, and vitamins. As...

The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining is moving to increase the surveillance of agro parks through the introduction of technological aids, in a bid to heighten security. Portfolio Minister, Hon. Floyd Green, says plans are in place to utilise features such as geofencing and closed-circuit televisions (CCTVs). “That is something that we [have asked] to be brought forward coming...

Minister of State in the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Hon. Franklyn Witter, says the sugar industry requires an overhaul that must be rooted in a complete modernisation strategy. Mr. Witter was delivering the main address at the 86th annual conference of the Jamaica Association of Sugar Technologists (JAST), held at the Research Division of the Sugar Industry Authority...

The Plant Quarantine Produce Inspection (PQPI) branch of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining has earned ISO/IEC 17020:2012 accreditation for its export process. PQPI is Jamaica’s first line of defence against the introduction of exotic pests and diseases. The branch is mandated to ensure that only the highest quality, pest-free cut flowers and fresh produce are exported from and...

The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining will be increasing support for vegetable farmers, as the island continues to experience intense rainfall. Portfolio Minister, Hon. Floyd Green, said that the farmers have been suffering damage due to the rains. “We are seeing tremendous declines in the production of our vegetable lines, firstly because of the drought, then the elevated heat...

The “vast majority” of farm roads impacted by the 5.6-magnitude earthquake on Monday (October 30) have been cleared, says Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Hon. Floyd Green. He was reporting on the effects of the earthquake on the agriculture sector during Wednesday’s (November 1) post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House. Minister Green said six farm roads in east rural...