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Cassava farmers in St. Thomas stand to gain from improved operational regularisation, following the announcement of land lease provisions under the newly established St. Thomas Cassava Growers Association Limited. Speaking during the recent St. Thomas Agricultural Show in Morant Bay, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Hon. Floyd Green, indicated that the Sugar Company of Jamaica is working to regularise the farmers, adding that cassava growers will receive leases for the lands they cultivate, enabling them to expand their agricultural investments. Mr. Green hailed the farmers for positioning St. Thomas as a national leader in cassava production. “In fact, last year we harvested over 120 hectares of cassava, engaging over 180 farmers; and this is despite them having a tough year with Hurricane Beryl [and] Tropical Storm Rafael. The St. Thomas cassava farmers continue to do extremely well,” the Minister said. Mr. Green expressed particular satisfaction with the success the farmers have achieved since forming the group. “When we first met and they raised their issues around cassava and around land, I said to them, ‘listen, the best way to deal with these issues is to form yourselves into a group’. If you look at them now, they have not only formed themselves into a group – and I hear that some of the best female farmers are a part of that group – they have also staged their very first cassava festival, and it went extremely well,” he stated. The inaugural St. Thomas Cassava Festival was held at the Golden Grove Sports Complex on February 28. (more) Cassava Farmers…2 The event, which is poised to become an annual fixture, brought together stakeholders, cassava enthusiasts, and community members for a vibrant celebration of the beloved crop. Minister Green also highlighted other ways in which St. Thomas has been leading in agriculture, noting that the parish is, “the biggest producer of East Indian and Julie mangoes and biggest supporter of the exportation of mangoes”. St. Thomas is also leading in onion production, having yielded 3,396 tonnes last year – accounting for 60 per cent of Jamaica’s total output.
Cassava farmers in St. Thomas stand to gain from improved operational regularisation, following the announcement of land lease provisions under the newly established St. Thomas Cassava Growers Association Limited. Speaking during the recent St. Thomas Agricultural Show in Morant Bay, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Hon. Floyd Green, indicated that the Sugar Company of Jamaica is working to regularise the farmers, adding that cassava growers will receive leases for the lands they cultivate, enabling them to expand their agricultural investments. Mr. Green hailed the farmers for positioning St. Thomas as a national leader in cassava production. “In fact, last year we harvested over 120 hectares of cassava, engaging over 180 farmers; and this is despite them having a tough year with Hurricane Beryl [and] Tropical Storm Rafael. The St. Thomas cassava farmers continue to do extremely well,” the Minister said. Mr. Green expressed particular satisfaction with the success the farmers have achieved since forming the group. “When we first met and they raised their issues around cassava and around land, I said to them, ‘listen, the best way to deal with these issues is to form yourselves into a group’. If you look at them now, they have not only formed themselves into a group – and I hear that some of the best female farmers are a part of that group – they have also staged their very first cassava festival, and it went extremely well,” he stated. The inaugural St. Thomas Cassava Festival was held at the Golden Grove Sports Complex on February 28. (more) Cassava Farmers…2 The event, which is poised to become an annual fixture, brought together stakeholders, cassava enthusiasts, and community members for a vibrant celebration of the beloved crop. Minister Green also highlighted other ways in which St. Thomas has been leading in agriculture, noting that the parish is, “the biggest producer of East Indian and Julie mangoes and biggest supporter of the exportation of mangoes”. St. Thomas is also leading in onion production, having yielded 3,396 tonnes last year – accounting for 60 per cent of Jamaica’s total output.

Cassava Farmers in St. Thomas Poised for Growth with Land Lease Support

Cassava farmers in St. Thomas stand to gain from improved operational regularisation, following the announcement of land lease provisions under the newly established St. Thomas Cassava Growers Association Limited. Speaking during the recent St. Thomas Agricultural Show in Morant Bay,...
Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Hon. Floyd Green.
Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Hon. Floyd Green.

Agriculture Minister Lauds Contribution of Westmoreland to Sector
Director of Research and Development, Coconut Industry Board (CIB), Dr. Wayne Myrie, speaks during a recent Jamaica Information Service (JIS) ‘Think Tank’ at the agency’s Television Department in Kingston.
Director of Research and Development, Coconut Industry Board (CIB), Dr. Wayne Myrie, speaks during a recent Jamaica Information Service (JIS) ‘Think Tank’ at the agency’s Television Department in Kingston.

Coconut Farmers Urged to Practise Smart Fertilisation
St. Ann 4-H Clubs Parish Manager, Tedroy Gordon (left), engages in an activity with Clubbites from Brown’s Town Model Infant School during the St. Ann 4-H Clubs’ Annual General Meeting and Awards Ceremony at Brown’s Town Methodist Church on June 25. In the background (from left) are 2025 parish Leader of the Year awardee, Nicolette Fisher from Runaway Bay Primary and Infant School, and Chairman of the Parish Advisory Council, Lambert Russell.
St. Ann 4-H Clubs Parish Manager, Tedroy Gordon (left), engages in an activity with Clubbites from Brown’s Town Model Infant School during the St. Ann 4-H Clubs’ Annual General Meeting and Awards Ceremony at Brown’s Town Methodist Church on June 25. In the background (from left) are 2025 parish Leader of the Year awardee, Nicolette Fisher from Runaway Bay Primary and Infant School, and Chairman of the Parish Advisory Council, Lambert Russell.

Jamaica 4-H Clubs Empowering Youth to Safeguard Food Security
Product Development Agronomist at Caribbean Chemicals, Nickel Dadsy, shows a product to Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) St. Catherine Parish Manager, Ruth Barrett, during the RADA St. Catherine Parish Show, held on June 26 at Chedwin Park Cricket Ground in Old Harbour. The event showcased RADA’s services through stakeholder exhibitions and hands-on demonstrations of agricultural best practices.
Product Development Agronomist at Caribbean Chemicals, Nickel Dadsy, shows a product to Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) St. Catherine Parish Manager, Ruth Barrett, during the RADA St. Catherine Parish Show, held on June 26 at Chedwin Park Cricket Ground in Old Harbour. The event showcased RADA’s services through stakeholder exhibitions and hands-on demonstrations of agricultural best practices.

Photos: RADA St. Catherine Parish Show

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Chief Technical Director (CTD) for Special Projects in the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Courtney Cole, delivers the keynote address on behalf of Portfolio Minister, Hon. Floyd Green, during the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) Jamaica Delegation’s 50th anniversary celebration at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston on Friday (June 27).
Agriculture

Agriculture Ministry Commends IIca For 50 Years Of Transformative Partnership In Jamaica

The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining has extended commendations to the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) in recognition of its 50-year partnership with Jamaica. Chief Technical Director for Special Projects in the Ministry, Courtney Cole, highlighted the IICA’s invaluable contribution since Jamaica joined the organisation in 1975, noting that its various projects and programmes have significantly improved...
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Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator the Hon. Kamina Johnson Smith, speaks in the Senate on Friday (June 27).
AgricultureJusticeSenate

Senate Passes Tougher Praedial Larceny Law To Safeguard Farmers

The Senate, on Friday (June 27), passed amendments to the Praedial Larceny (Prevention) Act, aimed at combatting the theft of agricultural produce, livestock and fish. Piloting the Bill, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator the Hon. Kamina Johnson Smith, said agriculture and aquaculture are entering a new era of productivity, production and national development. “Through our new FACE...
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Senior Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) Livestock Specialist, Maxine Brown.
Agriculture

RADA Ready to Assist with Recovery Efforts During Hurricane Season

The Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) stands ready to assist farmers to recover from any damage suffered during the current hurricane season, says Senior Livestock Specialist at the agency, Maxine Brown. Speaking in a JIS “Get the Facts” interview, Ms. Brown said that following the passage of a system, farmers who have suffered damage should reach out to the Authority...
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Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Hon. Floyd Green, addresses a sustainable farming symposium hosted by Isratech Jamaica Limited, at the entity’s headquarters in Kendal, Manchester, on Wednesday (June 25).
Agriculture

Agriculture Ministry to Commence Distribution of 1,300 Irrigation Kits Friday

The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining will begin the distribution of 1,300 irrigation kits to farmers on Friday (June 27). Portfolio Minister, Hon. Floyd Green, made the disclosure while addressing a sustainable farming symposium, hosted by Isratech Jamaica Limited, at the entity’s  headquarters in Kendal, Manchester, on Wednesday (June 25). “Last year, we bought 1,300 irrigation kits from Isratech...
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Senior Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) Livestock Specialist, Maxine Brown.
Agriculture

RADA Helping Farmers Protect Crops, Livestock During Hurricane Season

The Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) is actively assisting farmers to secure their crops and livestock during the 2025 hurricane season. Speaking during a JIS Television Get the Facts interview, Senior Livestock Specialist at RADA, Maxine Brown, said the Authority’s support goes beyond sensitisation to providing material support to enable farmers to safeguard their livelihood. “We can help you based...
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Minister of State in the Ministry of National Security, Hon. Juliet Cuthbert-Flynn (left), makes a presentation to an inmate during an Agricultural Day and Graduation Ceremony at the Tamarind Farm Correctional Centre in St. Catherine on Tuesday (June 24).
AgricultureNational Security

Tamarind Farm Agricultural Programme Preparing Inmates for Re-entry Into Society

Minister of State in the Ministry of National Security, Hon. Juliet Cuthbert-Flynn, is hailing the agricultural programme at the Tamarind Farm Correctional Centre, noting that it is equipping the inmates will valuable skills for a successful return to society. “We continue to encourage the men here to acquire this skill and others to ensure that when they leave this facility...
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Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS), Derron Grant provides an overview of the 2025 staging of the Denbigh Agricultural, Industrial and Food Show at the launch of the event on the Lawns of Hi-Pro in White Marl, St. Catherine, on Wednesday (June 18). The agricultural showcase, dubbed ‘Denbigh 71’, is set for August 1-3 at the Denbigh Showground in May Pen, Clarendon.
Agriculture

Three Days of Fun, Education and Entertainment at Denbigh 71

Denbigh 71 promises to be filled with fun, education and entertainment for the entire family, says Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS), Derron Grant.   “This year we will be showcasing the successes, the advancements and telling the stories,” he said, at the launch held at Hi-Pro in White Marl, St. Catherine, on Wednesday (June 18).  “Sometimes...
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