The Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, will be purchasing 13 drones that will help to bolster the capacity of extension officers in the field. The drones will be among other equipment and machinery, valued at a total of $230 million, that will serve to enhance the technological modernisation of the agricultural sector and facilitate increased production and productivity....

Effective January 1, 2021, all cattle must have ear tags and corresponding passports. This move by the Government is to tighten enforcement measures under the National Animal Identification and Traceability System (NAITS). Making his contribution to the 2020/2021 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on July 2, Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries,...

Three parcels of land in the parishes of St. Catherine and Clarendon, totalling 795 hectares, have been selected for development under the Southern Plains Agricultural Development (SPAD) Project, for which ground will be broken mid-July. The project is being funded through a grant of approximately £17.5 million from the United Kingdom Caribbean Infrastructure Fund (UK-CIF), administered by the Caribbean Development...

The Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries has been allocated J$1 billion to support farmers and fisherfolk in their recovery from the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19). This was disclosed by Portfolio Minister, Hon. Audley Shaw, during his contribution to the 2020/21 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives, on June 16. “This $1-billion allocation will support the provision...

The Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries is advising that public gardens under its control are now open with effect from June 17. These are Castleton Botanical Gardens in St Mary, Cinchona Botanical Gardens in St Andrew, Bath Botanical in St Thomas, and Hope Botanical Gardens as well as Hope Zoo in Kingston. The opening follows a declaration made...

Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries Minister, Hon. Audley Shaw, says that the Bernard Lodge Development project is designed to help modernize and expand the agricultural sector by increasing production, thereby improving Jamaica’s food security, creating jobs, and growing the economy. He noted that Jamaica’s agricultural sector plays an essential role in our country’s economic growth and development, accounting for more...

Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. J.C. Hutchinson, is encouraging farmers to increase production, as markets are available. Speaking at the handover of agricultural inputs to St. Catherine farmers at a forum held on June 11 in Dunkeld, in the parish, he said farmers should use the support being provided by the Government...