The Government has launched a $10-million Agricultural Aid Programme, to train more than 80 young persons in technical agricultural skills and provide services to hundreds of farmers across the island. Participants in the programme will be recruited through the Housing, Opportunity, Production and Employment (HOPE) programme and trained by HEART/National Service Training Agency (NSTA) Trust, and the Rural Agricultural Development...

Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Floyd Green, says there needs to be a comprehensive repositioning of agriculture among the nation’s youth, including how it is presented in the school system and, by extension, viewed by society as a lesser career choice. Addressing the launch of a Youth in Agriculture Roadmap, at the Ministry in Kingston on November 12, the...

The proposed Youth in Agriculture Policy being developed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries is expected to be completed and launched in 2021. This was disclosed by Portfolio Minister, Hon. Floyd Green, who said that the earmarking of at least 20 per cent of government-owned lands for agricultural use by young persons in the sector under age 35 is...

The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, in partnership with Jamaica 4-H Clubs, today (November 12) launched an agricultural booklet, ‘Youth in Agriculture, A Roadmap to Your Success’, to guide youth on a successful path in the industry. The roadmap, which was created by the Jamaica 4-H Clubs, offers a comprehensive guide to farmers and youth who are interested in farming...

The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries has announced a $646.9-million support package for farmers affected by the recent heavy rains. Portfolio Minister, Hon. Floyd Green, told the House of Representatives on Tuesday (November 11) that the package is geared at helping more than 14,000 farmers to restart planting as quickly as possible. He said that some 2,955 hectares of crops...

Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Floyd Green, believes that with more investments in both sectors, Jamaica can recover earnings being lost in tourism as a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Addressing the Kiwanis Club of Eastern St. Andrew Zoom meeting on Tuesday (November 10), Mr. Green said the tourism sector is experiencing a shortfall in earnings, which agriculture...

Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Floyd Green, says the Government’s $1.5-billion Production Incentive Programme is “bearing fruit”, with increases in several crops. Delivering the keynote address at the virtual launch of ‘Eat Jamaican Month’, today (November 10), Mr. Green reported that for onion, production increased from 827 tonnes in 2018 to 1,821 tonnes in 2019, representing a 120 per...