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Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Karl Samuda (second right), looks on as Managing Director, Newport Fersan Jamaica Limited, Dennis Valdez (right), presents a bag of ‘coffeeliser’ to coffee farmers from the Brandon Hill Division, Odia Bruce (left) and Will Frazer, during a press conference on the coffee industry, at the Ministry’s New Kingston offices on October 3.
Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Karl Samuda (second right), looks on as Managing Director, Newport Fersan Jamaica Limited, Dennis Valdez (right), presents a bag of ‘coffeeliser’ to coffee farmers from the Brandon Hill Division, Odia Bruce (left) and Will Frazer, during a press conference on the coffee industry, at the Ministry’s New Kingston offices on October 3.

$80-Million Initiative to Help Registered Coffee Farmers

Registered coffee farmers are to benefit from an $80-million initiative that is expected to improve and increase their yields over time. The project, which falls under the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries’ Productivity Incentive Programme, will focus on...
Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen, has proclaimed October 10 as World Mental Health Day, under the international theme ‘Mental Health in the Workplace’. The Governor-General read the proclamation during a ceremony at King’s House on October 3, which was attended by psychiatrists and professionals involved in mental health care. The Day will form part of activities to mark Mental Health Week, to be observed starting October 8. The Governor-General, in his address, urged Jamaicans to participate in the slate of activities scheduled to be held across the country on that day. Citing statistics, he noted that “one in every four persons around the world will experience mental health problems at one time or another”. “Many people who suffer from psychological and mental distress experience these issues in the workplace. Increase in knowledge and awareness of these issues will help in developing interventions to promote and protect mental health in the workplace,” he said. The Governor-General added that interventions should improve access to employee-assistance programmes to address the stigma of mental illnesses, so that dignity is promoted and respected and people are empowered to take action to promote mental health. (more) Meanwhile, Director of Mental Health Services and Substance Abuse in the Health Ministry, Dr. Maureen Irons-Morgan, said it is fitting to recognise mental health in the workplace. “There are some very common issues that affect mental health, such as stress in the workplace and depression. These are factors that can affect productivity. We want employers to recognise that in protecting and promoting mental health and wellness of workers, in the long run we all benefit,” she said. Information provided by the World Health Organization (WHO) states that most of one’s adult life is spent in the workplace and the experiences there are among the factors determining the overall well-being of people. The WHO notes that employers and managers who implement workplace initiatives to promote mental health and to support employees with mental disorders, are more likely to see gains, not only in the mental health of their employees but also in the productivity of their work. Activities for the Week include a church service at the Portmore Gospel Assembly and a conference at the Jamaica Conference Centre in downtown Kingston.
Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen, has proclaimed October 10 as World Mental Health Day, under the international theme ‘Mental Health in the Workplace’. The Governor-General read the proclamation during a ceremony at King’s House on October 3, which was attended by psychiatrists and professionals involved in mental health care. The Day will form part of activities to mark Mental Health Week, to be observed starting October 8. The Governor-General, in his address, urged Jamaicans to participate in the slate of activities scheduled to be held across the country on that day. Citing statistics, he noted that “one in every four persons around the world will experience mental health problems at one time or another”. “Many people who suffer from psychological and mental distress experience these issues in the workplace. Increase in knowledge and awareness of these issues will help in developing interventions to promote and protect mental health in the workplace,” he said. The Governor-General added that interventions should improve access to employee-assistance programmes to address the stigma of mental illnesses, so that dignity is promoted and respected and people are empowered to take action to promote mental health. (more) Meanwhile, Director of Mental Health Services and Substance Abuse in the Health Ministry, Dr. Maureen Irons-Morgan, said it is fitting to recognise mental health in the workplace. “There are some very common issues that affect mental health, such as stress in the workplace and depression. These are factors that can affect productivity. We want employers to recognise that in protecting and promoting mental health and wellness of workers, in the long run we all benefit,” she said. Information provided by the World Health Organization (WHO) states that most of one’s adult life is spent in the workplace and the experiences there are among the factors determining the overall well-being of people. The WHO notes that employers and managers who implement workplace initiatives to promote mental health and to support employees with mental disorders, are more likely to see gains, not only in the mental health of their employees but also in the productivity of their work. Activities for the Week include a church service at the Portmore Gospel Assembly and a conference at the Jamaica Conference Centre in downtown Kingston.

World Mental Health Day to be Observed Oct. 10
Ambassador to the United States, Her Excellency Audrey Marks (centre); President of Howard University, Dr. Wayne Frederick (third right); and Interim Chairman of the Jamaica Howard University Alumni Association, Don Christian (second left), with Jamaican students attending Howard University, at the launch of the Jamaica Howard University Alumni Association and Endowment Fund held at the Embassy of Jamaica in Washington DC.
Ambassador to the United States, Her Excellency Audrey Marks (centre); President of Howard University, Dr. Wayne Frederick (third right); and Interim Chairman of the Jamaica Howard University Alumni Association, Don Christian (second left), with Jamaican students attending Howard University, at the launch of the Jamaica Howard University Alumni Association and Endowment Fund held at the Embassy of Jamaica in Washington DC.

Jamaica Howard University Alumni Association Launched
Member of Parliament and Parliamentary Secretary in The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Travis Robinson, addressing the 5th Caribbean Youth Leaders’ Summit at the Jewel Runaway Bay Beach & Golf Resort, Runaway Bay, St. Ann, on September 30.
Member of Parliament and Parliamentary Secretary in The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Travis Robinson, addressing the 5th Caribbean Youth Leaders’ Summit at the Jewel Runaway Bay Beach & Golf Resort, Runaway Bay, St. Ann, on September 30.

The Millennial Voices Must Be Heard – Bahamian MP
Finance and the Public Service Minister, Hon. Audley Shaw.
Finance and the Public Service Minister, Hon. Audley Shaw.

Govt to Engage Productivity Centre in Boosting Worker Output

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Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness (centre), and Member of Parliament for Central St. Catherine, Hon. Olivia Grange (fourth right), with new homeowners at Berkshire Court, in Spanish Town, St. Catherine. Also pictured are some officials of the National Housing Trust (NHT). Occasion was the handover of house keys on September 29.
Prime Minister

PM Says NHT on Strategic Mission

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, says the National Housing Trust (NHT) is on a strategic mission to construct houses close to where people work, to reduce travel time. He cited one such housing development as the $4.1-billion Ruthven Towers apartments, in St. Andrew, where 106 one-bedroom, 56 two-bedroom, and 12 three-bedroom units are under construction. The Prime Minister...
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CultureEntertainment

Hundreds Attend Independence Village

Hundreds of Jamaicans from every walk of life enjoyed the feast of cultural offerings at the Jamaica 55 Independence Village held at the National Arena from July 29 to August 6. The nine-day event, put on by the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC), featured presentations in the performing arts and displays of traditional food, art and craft, among other things....
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Sport

Gov’t Investing in Sports Development for Jamaica 55

The Government is investing in the development of sports as part of the Jamaica 55 legacy projects. Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Hon. Olivia Grange, tells JIS News that the celebratory period, which ends in March 2018, will be used for "significant infrastructure development." The Trelawny Stadium is to be redeveloped to become the centre of sports tourism...
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AgricultureYouth

Gov’t Supporting Youth in Agriculture

Thirty per cent of the $300 million allocated for the Agricultural Productivity Incentive Programme is to be made available to facilitate youth involvement in agriculture. Making the disclosure, Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries Minister, Hon. Karl Samuda, said providing financial support for young people will “further heighten their interest, (which) will redound to the benefit of the entire (agricultural) sector.”...
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Agriculture

Hi-Pro Launches New Products to Boost Agricultural Sector

Four new products have been launched by Hi-Pro to improve crop and livestock production as well as to boost farmers’ profitability. They are: a larvicide spray called Ectoline; TryClan 50 SP insecticide; a plant nutrient and foliar fertiliser called HerbaGreen; and LongRange, which is designed to control parasites in livestock. Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries Minister, Hon. Karl Samuda, congratulated...
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