Latest

Banana Board’s Tiamhoi Moss (left) and Parish Manager of the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), St. Elizabeth, Mark Lee, hand over a bag of fertiliser to farmer, Fay Rodney, during the distribution and training session at the St. Elizabeth’s RADA Parish Office in Santa Cruz, on Thursday, March 12.

Banana and Plantain Farmers In St. Elizabeth Receive Fertiliser and Training

About 100 banana and plantain farmers in St. Elizabeth have received fertiliser to boost their recovery from Hurricane Melissa, following a hands-on training session to build agricultural resilience in the parish. The event was held at the Rural Agricultural Development...

Team Leader of the Scientific Research Council (SRC) Food Product Development Unit, Dr. Grace-Ann Junor.

RADA Officers Gain New Skills to Support Food Processors

Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) Data Entry Clerk, Wayne Breckenridge (centre), assists a farmer with the registration process for a Farmer Identification Card during Tuesday’s (March 10) RADA Connect event in Cedar Valley, St. Thomas. Beside him, RADA Telephone Operator, Latoya Burke, attends to another client.

Farmers In St. Thomas ‘Connect’ with RADA Support

Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Hon. Floyd Green (third left, second row), joins a photo opportunity as Hi-Pro presents a symbolic cheque to members of the Jamaica Network of Rural Women Producers (JNRWP) during the Roots Resilience Parametric Insurance Programme handover ceremony, held on Monday (March 9) at GraceKennedy (GK) General Insurance Company’s New Kingston office. Also pictured (from left) are Hi-Pro Vice-President, Colonel (Ret’d) Jamie Ogilvie; JNRWP Executive Board Member, Marva Allen-Simms; GK General Insurance Client and Partner Services Manager, Orette Duncan; GK Group’s Head of General Insurance, Tammara Glaves-Hucey; CARE Caribbean Humanitarian Response Lead, Jonathan Arogeti; GK General Insurance Assistant General Manager for Client and Partner Services, Andrea Muir-Gibbs; and JNRWP Consultant, Christopher Chinapoo. The initiative will benefit 120 women producers, supported by a US$65,000 pledge from CARE International and a $900,000 commitment from Hi-Pro, and is facilitated through the GK Weather Protection Programme.

120 Rural Women Farmers Insured Against Extreme Weather

Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Hon. Floyd Green is flanked by State Minister, Hon. Franklin Witter (left) and Permanent Secretary, Dermon Spence (right) as he addresses the sitting of the Standing Finance Committee on Friday (March 6) at Gordon House.

Vegetable Oversupply not Caused by Importation

Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Hon. Floyd Green responds to questions during the sitting of the Standing Finance Committee at Gordon House on Friday (March 6). He is flanked by State Minister, Hon. Franklin Witter (left) and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Dermon Spence (right).

2 weeks ago Agriculture

Broiler Chicken Supply to Stabilise This Month

The country should begin seeing an increase in the availability of broiler chickens later this month, after sections of Jamaica experienced a shortage in the product during February. The announcement was made by Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Hon. Floyd Green, as he responded to questions on Friday (March 6) during the sitting of the Standing of Finance Committee...

Chief Executive Officer of the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS), Derron Grant.

2 weeks ago Agriculture

JAS CEO Reports Success of Farmers’ Markets Stabilising Post-Hurricane Food Supply

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS), Derron Grant, has reported success in a strategic series of farmers’ markets designed to stabilise the food supply and support farmers following the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa. In the aftermath of the category-five hurricane, rapid replanting efforts led to an oversupply of certain agricultural produce in specific regions. The...

Minister of State, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Hon. Franklin Witter, addresses the Praedial Larceny Sensitisation Session held at Linstead Anglican Church in St. Catherine on Thursday (Feb. 26).

3 weeks ago Agriculture

St. Catherine Farmers Hailed For Boosting Food Production

St. Catherine farmers have been commended for their efforts in boosting the production of crops like onions and sweet corn to enhance national food security. “This comes as no surprise, considering the work we have been doing in the parish,” said Minister of State for Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Hon. Franklin Witter. “For example, we supported over 250 livestock farmers...

Minister of State, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Hon. Franklin Witter (right), observes as Chief Executive Officer, Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), Garnet Edmondson (second left), highlights the contents of the receipt book used to document the sale and transport of livestock and produce. Also looking on are Sub-Officer in charge of Area 5, Detective Inspector Robert Robinson (left); and Acting Director, Praedial Larceny Prevention Coordination Branch, Kalecia Hall. Occasion was the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s (JCF) Praedial Larceny Sensitisation Session held at Linstead Anglican Church in St. Catherine on Thursday (Feb. 26).

3 weeks ago Agriculture

Farmers Urged To Report Cases Of Praedial Larceny

Minister of State in the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Hon. Franklin Witter, is appealing to farmers to report incidents of praedial larceny. He noted that too often, theft goes unreported “and this silence only strengthens criminals”. “I also encourage everyone to associate with farmer groups; you must be each other's keepers and supporters,” Mr. Witter urged. The Agriculture...

Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Hon. Floyd Green, addresses the launch of the American Friends of Jamaica

3 weeks ago Agriculture

Agriculture Rebounding Strongly – Minister Green

Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Hon. Floyd Green, says the sector is rebounding strongly following the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa, with high production levels driving down prices. Prices for vegetables at Coronation Market, the major food market in Kingston, were trending downwards, with tomatoes being sold for as low as $50 per pound. The Minister, who was addressing...

3 weeks ago AgricultureFisheriesMining

Agriculture Ministry Focused on Recovery of Egg Industry

The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining is working to rebuild the local egg industry following significant losses from Hurricanes Beryl and Melissa. Portfolio Minister, Hon. Floyd Green said that recovery of the sector will require partnerships and increased investment in broiler production. Speaking at the launch of the American Friends of Jamaica (AFJ) small farmers voucher programme at S...

Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Hon. Floyd Green (right), is in conversation with President, American Friends of Jamaica (AFJ), Wendy Hart, at the official launch of AFJ

3 weeks ago Agriculture

1,600 Small Farmers to Benefit from Voucher Programme

A total of 1,600 small farmers across five western parishes, which were hardest hit by hurricane Melissa, will benefit from an $80-million voucher programme to bolster their recovery. Being undertaken by the American Friends of Jamaica (AFJ) in partnership with Hardware & Lumber Limited (H&L) and H&L Foundation, the programme aims to provide farmers with access to critical agricultural inputs....