The Government intends to make changes to the Agricultural Produce Act before the end of the year in order to enable farmers to recover the full cost of stolen produce. The proposed amendments include increasing fines from $250,000 to $3 million, expanding the definition of praedial larceny, and simplifying the procedures for registering and licensing all handlers of agricultural produce....

The Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS) has announced plans to launch a Young Farmers’ Association that will be geared towards supporting youth who want to pursue a career in agriculture. President of the JAS, Lenworth Fulton, said that the objective is to “better attract that age cohort among our farmers, a very important group, especially in terms of our drive to...

Minister without Portfolio, Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. J.C. Hutchinson, has announced that the structure of the Farm Road Programme has been changed. “Members of Parliament (MPs), councillors and farmers’ organisations who would like a road to be rehabilitated should make their request to their Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) Parish Manager in writing,” he said, as...

The Government has proposed the establishment and operation of an Agricultural Development Fund (ADF), which will provide the much-needed impetus for immediate and sustained improvements in the agricultural sector. This was announced by Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. J.C. Hutchinson, during his contribution to the 2019/20 Sectoral Debate, in the House of...

The Government is to amend the Agricultural Produce Act to increase fines for offences as part of strategies to combat praedial larceny. “We will soon be bringing to Cabinet the Agricultural Produce Act, which will see the fines for anyone convicted increased to a maximum of $3 million or six months’ hard labour,” Minister without Portfolio, Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture...

A tripartite agreement was signed on Monday (July 8) to implement a cannabis pilot programme in Accompong St. Elizabeth, under the Cannabis Licensing Authority’s (CLA) Alternative Development Project. The agreement was signed by representatives of the CLA, Accompong Town Maroons, and Timeless Herbal Care, during a press conference at the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries’ New Kingston office....

Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO) has been coordinating various marketing and investment activities aimed at boosting the range of export markets for local products. These engagements include trade missions to Canada and the United States of America (USA), as well as several Caribbean territories, to engage existing and potential investors through one-on-one meetings and tours of commerce spaces. Manager for Agribusiness...