Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, says while Jamaicans across the island have shown care and concern by providing humanitarian relief to victims of Hurricane Melissa in the western region, greater emphasis must now be placed on the recovery of the national economy. He maintains that recovery from the category-five hurricane cannot rely solely on humanitarian relief, as...

The Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) will host a livestock clinic at the O&W Construction site on Main Street in Clark’s Town, Trelawny, on Friday, December 5. In an interview with JIS News, RADA Livestock Specialist, Maxine Brown, said farmers will benefit from livestock health checks. “We will be partnering with Hi-Pro and other stakeholders who will be able to...

The Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) is implementing a structured, three-fold plan for the recovery of Jamaica’s agricultural sector, which suffered an estimated $30 billion in damage from Hurricane Melissa. The two-year plan, comprising immediate, medium-term and long-term interventions, mobilises RADA’s full technical, extension and engineering teams and leverages partnerships among key agencies, farmer groups and the private sector, said...

To support their recovery from Hurricane Melissa on October 28, local farmers are benefiting from the donation of crucial input supplies by the World University Service of Canada (WUSC) Sustainable Agriculture in the Caribbean (SAC) Project. The organisation secured funding of Can$150,000 from donor Global Affairs Canada, allowing for the provision of crop, livestock and poultry recovery kits to farmers...

Executive Director of the Jamaica 4-H Clubs, Peter Thomas, says youth farmers are interested in things new and are innovative, and producing Wambugu Apple is one of them. The Executive Director said the apple can generate great wealth and presents a great opportunity for growth in the agricultural sector, as Jamaica consumes thousands of apples, most of which are imported,...

One hundred and sixteen banana and plantain farmers registered for the Catastrophe Insurance Fund are to receive payouts from the Banana Board. Banana Board General Manager, Janet Conie, speaking in a recent interview with JIS News, said $20 million will be disbursed to affected farmers following damage assessment by the team. The team at the Board is currently working to...

Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Hon. Floyd Green, has announced an allocation of $30 million to provide on-farm infrastructure to assist farmers, as the agricultural sector embarks on its Hurricane Melissa recovery plan. He informed that the Ministry is in the process of procuring the items, including water tanks, drip irrigation systems and water pumps. Mr. Green made the...