Chief Technical Director in the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Orville Palmer (right), presents a voucher for fertiliser to banana farmer Althea McFarlane, during a Hurricane Beryl recovery handover ceremony held by the Banana Board at the Bethel United Church in Highgate, St. Mary, on August 27.

The Banana Board is reminding farmers to prioritise the proper use of fertilisers after periods of heavy rainfall, to promote crop recovery. General Manager of the Banana Board, Janet Conie, told JIS News that periods of heavy rain can lead to the depletion of essential nutrients in the soil. “When you have had a hurricane and if you had a...

The Banana Board is urging farmers across the island not to accept plant material known to be sourced overseas. This, in light of the deadly Tropical Race Four (TR4) Disease, which can wipe out Jamaica’s entire banana and plantain cultivations, reportedly surfacing in at least one country. Against this background, the Board is encouraging farmers to be vigilant. General Manager,...

Banana and plantain farmers experiencing crop pest infestation are being urged to contact the Banana Board for assistance in eradicating these parasites. General Manager, Janet Conie, says bananas are affected by several pests and disease agents that affect different sections of the plant. One of the most prevalent is the borer weevil, also known as the banana borer, which eats...

Approximately 70 farmers in St. Thomas and neighbouring parishes are now better able to manage their operations, following a Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) fruit tree resuscitation training exercise on Wednesday (August 28). The session, organised by RADA’s St. Thomas parish office, was held in Norris, Yallahs, and featured information-based and practical sessions moderated by key stakeholders. The event formed...

A shortage of banana and plantain can be expected across the island as a result of the damage caused by Hurricane Beryl. A detailed assessment conducted by the Banana Board reveals an average of 74 per cent damage in the sector. General Manager of the Banana Board, Janet Conie, who was speaking during a recent ‘JIS Get the Facts’ interview,...

Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Hon. Floyd Green, says the Government is seized of the importance of formal land tenures and, as such, will continue to regularise farmlands by providing leases to farmers. Addressing farmers and other stakeholders at the Agro-Investment Corporation (AIC) Lease Handover Ceremony at the Orange Park Baptist Church in Lydford, St. Ann, recently, Mr. Green...

The Coconut Industry Board (CIB) will be staging a special celebratory event in observance of World Coconut Day, on Saturday, August 31. This event, which will be held at the CIB’s Headquarters at 18 Waterloo Road in Kingston, will last from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. General Manager of the CIB, Shaun Cameron, says the event will focus on the...

Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Hon. Floyd Green, has expressed concern about the price gouging of agriculture products, particularly in the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl. Speaking during a media briefing at the Ministry’s offices in St. Andrew on Tuesday, Mr. Green said traders were allowed access to external markets to ensure the nation has adequate food supply. “Once we...