The Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) is urging farmers to carefully document damage to their farms, produce, and livestock. This effort is critical to supporting national damage assessment activities, particularly as access to several areas remains restricted following the passage of Hurricane Melissa. Senior RADA Plant Health and Food Safety Officer, Francine Webb, noted that assessments remain ongoing as the...

The Agricultural Protection Branch (APB) of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) is ramping up efforts to intercept persons carrying stolen produce, meats and livestock that are slaughtered in an unsanitary way or in unregistered slaughterhouses. The move comes against the background of the Manchester Police recently intercepting a van on the Porous main road carrying cow carcasses. “Based on what...

The Coconut Industry Board (CIB) is focusing on recovery and rebuilding in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa. Chief Executive Officer at the CIB, Shaun Cameron, told JIS News that coconut farmers suffered significant losses. “My farmers right across the board [were impacted], especially those in St. Elizabeth. I've had a farmer that lost everything, his agri-processing plant, everything. Farmers in...

Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Hon. Floyd Green, says the Government is moving swiftly to get farmers back into production following the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa. “The reality is that this can’t wait, and as we seek to restore the livelihoods of people in the most impacted areas, the best way to do that is to get them...

The Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) is encouraging householders to adopt container gardening as a practical means of subsistence. Container gardening is a space-efficient and mobile method of cultivation that involves growing plants in containers such as pots, rather than directly in the ground. This approach is particularly well-suited for urban areas, where access to traditional garden space may be...

A sum of $450 million from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Minning’s remaining Production Incentive Programme is being redirected to emergency recovery, including replanting, restocking, and land preparation. Portfolio Minister, Hon. Floyd Green, made the disclosure during a statement to the House of Representatives on Tuesday (November 11). The sum is part of a larger $3-billion plan to be...

Hurricane Melissa inflicted significant damage on Jamaica’s agriculture sector, with preliminary assessments indicating losses of approximately $29.5 billion. The disaster affected more than 70,000 farmers and disrupted operations across 41,390 hectares of farmland. Additionally, approximately 1,251,410 animals – including small ruminants, poultry, and cattle – have been lost. Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Hon. Floyd Green, made the disclosure...