A total of 80 farmers operating in five parishes will benefit from agricultural inputs valued at $3.6 million under phase two of the Agri Resilience Response to COVID-19 project. Under the initiative, being funded by United Way of Jamaica and implemented by the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS), the farmers will receive 70,000 vegetable seedlings, 300 fruit trees, fertiliser, and technical...

The Plant Quarantine and Inspection Branch in the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries is reminding all travellers that a permit is required to import plants and plant products into Jamaica. Chief Plant Quarantine/Produce Inspector in the Ministry, Sanniel Wilson-Graham, told JIS News that abiding by the permit system is necessary in order to ensure that Jamaica’s agricultural sector is protected...

The Cannabis Licensing Authority (CLA) says it is aiming to issue its 100th licence before the end of the 2020/2021 fiscal year. Speaking at a JIS ‘Think Tank’ on August 27, Director of Research Development and Communications at the CLA, Felicia Bailey said the Authority is focused on achieving this goal, through a reduction in the application processing time. “The...

The Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) will be continuing its mobile market initiative, to assist farmers being impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. This was disclosed by Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of RADA, Peter Thompson, during a recent interview on the JIS television programme, ‘Get the facts’. The fallout in key sectors, such as Tourism and Education, due to containment measures,...

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), Peter Thompson, says it is important for farmers to adapt to the changing weather patterns and plan accordingly. “As it relates to the hurricane season, we would expect some amount of rainfall, so we always encourage them to clear their drains, protect drains where necessary in the fields, and...

The Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) is seeking to encourage more young people to take up career opportunities in agriculture, through the use of technology. “Young people are attracted to technology. We have our drone programme and we are developing mobile apps for agricultural solutions. So, we are trying to attract young people and we are working with some of...

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), Peter Thompson, says come September, the agency will be rolling out a programme geared at getting more households into farming. “We’re on that drive now to assist householders that have adequate land space in their backyards. We will be providing kits, which will include packages of seeds, fertilisers and...