If Jamaica is to not just survive but thrive, the issue of productivity in agriculture against climate change must be taken very seriously, says Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Senator the Hon. Matthew Samuda. “It is why Jamaica is currently on track to invest some US$270 million in irrigation in the plains of...

The Coconut Industry Board (CIB) is working to strengthen agro-processing to meet the increased consumer demand for coconut by-products. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the CIB, Shaun Cameron, told JIS News that while there is significant demand for coconut water and coconut oil “we want our agri-processors, our small to medium-sized farmers to look at other value-added coconut products that...

The Agri-Linkages Exchange (ALEX) platform continues to grow, generating almost $500 million in sales for small farmers since December 2023. Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF) Executive Director, Dr. Cary Wallace, made the disclosure as he addressed the Global Tourism Resilience Conference held recently at the Montego Bay Convention Centre in St. James. The ALEX platform, a collaborative initiative between the TEF...

The Government is investing $1.2 billion in the development of infrastructure and facilities to boost agricultural activities in rural communities across the island. The work will be undertaken under the Rural Economic Development Initiative II, which aims to enhance access to markets and climate-resilient approaches for targeted beneficiaries in the tourism and agricultural sectors. As stated in the 2024/25 Estimates...

The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining will be establishing a garden at Wakefield Primary School in Trelawny as part of the expanded National School Garden Programme. Portfolio Minister, Hon. Floyd Green, who gave the commitment, said that in addition to providing healthy foods for the school-feeding programme, the garden will engage students in agriculture at an early age and...

The Coconut Industry Board (CIB) is encouraging coconut growers to register with the entity before March 1. Registration is free and enables growers to access benefits such as free seedlings, fertiliser, weed control grant, automatic insurance for trees against windstorm damage, voting rights and advisory services. Speaking with JIS News, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) with the CIB, Shaun Cameron, said...

Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Hon. Floyd Green, says Trelawny’s status as being among the highest producers of domestic crops and the number-one producer of yam makes the parish a top priority for the Government. He said that the Ministry has been working to increase access to irrigation in the parish, while also improving the condition of farm roads....

The Government is looking to use lands that were once under sugar-cane cultivation to boost the country’s agricultural production. Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Hon. Floyd Green, said the Ministry has a programme in place to facilitate access by farmers to arable lands, including former sugar-cane lands, for crop production and livestock farming. "For years, old sugar-cane lands have...

Hot pepper farmers and other stakeholders who took part in pest surveillance training are hailing the sessions as useful and beneficial to their farming practices. A total of 169 farmers, input suppliers and nursery operators benefited from guidance to reduce the prevalence of pests in hot pepper cultivation under the Improving the Phytosanitary Food Safety and Market Access Opportunities along...