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Governments in the region are being urged to seriously tackle the issue of land degradation to ensure food security and prevent deaths from natural disasters such as flooding. Dr. Richard Cox, Secretariat to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification and Drought (UNCCD), put forth this challenge at the opening of a three-day conference on Sustainable Land Management today at...

The Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS) parish office in St. Catherine is reporting an increase in the number of requests from farmers to utilise a tractor available for land preparation in the parish. The vehicle is one of six operating under the JAS' tractor tillage service, which was financed by the Development Bank of Jamaica at a cost of $14 million....

To provide its own electricity, the Blue Mountain Coffee Co-operative is constructing a bio-digester plant at the Moy Hall coffee factory in Cedar Valley, St. Thomas. The project, which will be completed in two phases, is being funded by the Environmental Foundation of Jamaica (EFJ), at a cost of approximately $5.4 million. The Scientific Research Council (SRC) is assisting with...

Director General of the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ), Dr. Wesley Hughes, has said that if Jamaica failed to capitalise on inflows of foreign direct investments, which would be pumped into the island over the next few years, then the country might enter into an economic slump as soon as those investments have ceased. Dr. Hughes, who was speaking at...

It is just eight weeks old, but already the newly launched anti-crime initiative dubbed 'Operation Kingfish' is netting big, and Officer in charge, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Glenmuir Hinds is confident the programme will succeed. "We are resolved to ensure that we accomplish the task that we set, and that is to dismantle the criminal network and we are focusing...

A Bill to amend the Broadcasting and Radio Re-Diffusion Act has been approved by the Upper House. The legislation, tabled by leader of Government Business and Information Minister, Senator Burchell Whiteman, provides for licences to be granted for subscriber television service for longer than the six-year slot previously allowed. In supplying the rationale behind the move, Minister Whiteman said the...

In Jamaica, the churches have done more than just deliver sermons. In addition to building sound moral values in the church, they have contributed significantly to the development of education in the country. One such institution that is playing its part, is the Moravian church, which is celebrating its 250th anniversary in the country. With just under 30 schools, ranging...

Hundreds of Jamaicans turned out recently for the historic launch of the Jamaican Diaspora Canada Foundation (JDCF), held in Toronto, Canada. President, Philip Mascoll and Vice President, Sharon Ffolkes-Abrahams informed the gathering about the objectives of the organization, which include to serve and advance Jamaica and the interests of Jamaica and Jamaicans everywhere. "The JDCF is for every Jamaican living...

A contract to expand the Boscobel Primary School in St. Mary was signed by the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF), in that community on December 9. The contract, which is worth $4.76 million, has been awarded to Garan-Tee Construction Limited. Work is expected to begin in January 2005 and should last for three months. This project is sponsored by the...

Forty-six participants, mainly young persons from various inner-city communities, graduated yesterday (December 10), from a six-week Youth Leadership Training Course, organized by the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce (JCC). Minister of Finance and Planning, Dr. Omar Davies who addressed the ceremony in downtown Kingston, charged the graduates to become leaders of their individual communities, and in so doing add value to...

The Trelawny Parish Council is working closely with the Traffic Authority in the parish to ensure a free flow of traffic this Christmas season. Chairman of the Trelawny Parish Council, Mayor Jonathan Bartley told JIS News that measures have already been put in place to prevent traffic congestion, particularly in the town of Falmouth."We have proposed that some streets accommodate...

Consultant in the Attorney-General's Chambers, at the Ministry of Justice, Professor Stephen Vasciannie, has said that the impending Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), would serve to broaden the rights of the average Jamaican. Speaking at a JIS 'Think Tank' on December 8, Professor Vasciannie explained that currently, persons wishing to appeal to the Privy Council on matters concerning fundamental rights...