Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Audley Shaw has announced millions of dollars in investments in the agricultural sector. Among them is a US$95-million investment to create a certified organic high-tech greenhouse farm in Goshen, St. Elizabeth, “which will be the largest, by far, in the region”, he said. He informed that the joint-venture project “will be undertaken on a...

The Soil Fertility Mapping Project for Sustainable Agriculture in Jamaica is to be included in the Public Sector Investment Programme (PSIP). Education, Youth and Information Minister, Hon. Fayval Williams, made the disclosure during the virtual post-Cabinet press briefing on Wednesday (October 6). The project involves partnership with the Kingdom of Morocco over a period of four years. Its purpose is...

The Draft National Five-Year Agribusiness Strategy is scheduled to be approved by Cabinet later this month and tabled in Parliament shortly thereafter, so that implementation can start in earnest as soon as possible. Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Audley Shaw, made the disclosure on Tuesday (October 5) while giving an update on the plan, which is aimed at establishing...

The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries is providing $250 million in relief support for farmers, who were impacted by the recent passage of Tropical Storms Grace and Ida. The funds, which also aim to stimulate recovery in the agricultural sector, are being redirected from the Production Incentive Programme. Portfolio Minister, Hon. Audley Shaw, in announcing the support in the House...

Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Audley Shaw, has announced that Newport Fersan will be introducing three new fertiliser blends to the market. The new blends aim to provide relief to farmers in the wake of rising fertiliser costs. This follows meetings with stakeholders from the Ministry as well as representatives from the company. “Concerned about the impact that the...

Charge d’Affaires of the European Union (EU) Delegation to Jamaica, Fredrik Ekfeldt, has underscored the value of transforming Jamaica’s food systems in relation to the Jamaican Path from Hills to Ocean (H2O) Project. The €6-million project, which is being financed by the EU, aims to increase the country’s resilience to climate change and reduce poverty. Mr. Ekfeldt explained that the...

The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries has partnered with GK Insurance to introduce the Parametric Rain, Drought and Wind Insurance Policy for the agricultural sector. The policy aims to support the resilience of farmers and fisherfolk. This was stated by Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Audley Shaw, while providing an update on the sector in the House of Representatives...

A distribution hub, grading, packaging and cold storage facility will be established in the St. Elizabeth North West constituency, where farmers within the parish and surrounding areas will have an outlet for their agricultural produce. Member of Parliament for the area and State Minister in the Ministry of Transport and Mining, Hon. J.C Hutchinson, made the announcement as he opened...

The St. Elizabeth Municipal Corporation is to establish an animal pound by the end of September as part of ongoing efforts to rein in stray and abandoned animals. Mayor of Black River, Councillor Derrick Sangster, who made the disclosure at the monthly meeting of the St. Elizabeth Municipal Corporation recently, said that a contractual agreement has been signed between the...