Agro-processors are being encouraged to use more scallion, to minimise the impact of the beet army worm (BAW) on farmers. “This would help, as farmers would have a ready market to supply the scallion as opposed to leaving them unattended in the fields, which is what creates a host for the BAW to reproduce and grow in numbers,” Deputy Research...

Parliament’s Joint Select Committee reviewing the Child Care and Protection, Sexual Offences, and Offences against the Person Acts is eager to wrap up its deliberations on the revision of penalties. State Minister for Education, Youth and Information, Hon. Floyd Green, says while no timeline has been set for the conclusion of the Committee’s work, which started in 2014, the members...

Minister of Education, Youth and Information, Senator the Hon. Ruel Reid, says Jamaica stands to benefit significantly from overseas trips made by Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness. In addition to improved economic, bilateral and trade relations, the overseas visits allow for the country to participate in critical investment fora, and to increase engagement with the diaspora. “We are...

The Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) is urging farmers to be careful when purchasing plants, to avoid the Beet Army Worm (BAW). Speaking at a JIS ‘Think Tank’ on May 12, Deputy Research Director of the Crop and Plant Protection Unit, Research Development Division in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Michelle Sherwood, said farmers outside St. Elizabeth...

The Government will continue to invest in the professional development of nurses, says Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Sancia Bennett Templer. Addressing an International Nurses Day ceremony at The Knutsford Court Hotel, in New Kingston, today (May 12), the Permanent Secretary told the nurses that their role in maintaining a healthy society is widely acknowledged by the Ministry....

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, says as the Government pursues initiatives to improve citizen security and safety, partnership with the private security industry will be a critical part of the process. He said the private security sector is an essential component of the national security framework, serving as sensors that can passively detect criminal activity and threats, and...

Minister of Education, Youth and Information, Senator the Hon. Ruel Reid, says the Government is placing technical vocational education and training (TVET) at the core of the educational system in order to align training and education to market needs. He said that contrary to popular belief, it is the technical side of education that is driving the world economy, and...

The Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA) will be implementing various initiatives over the next two years to significantly improve customer experience and reduce the waiting time to access and obtain services at the entity. In an interview with JIS News, Chief Executive Officer at PICA, Andrew Wynter, said that already, the agency has improved operations by extending its working...

The Government has reaffirmed its support for the solidarity and stability of the European Union (EU). Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Minister, Senator the Hon. Kamina Johnson Smith, said the Administration will continue to partner with the EU in supporting issues of mutual interest in various regional and international fora. She was speaking at a special reception hosted by the...