The European Union (EU)-funded Farmer Field School (FFS) programme is helping to boost the yield of the country’s farmers, by scaling up best practices in agricultural production. Dubbed the “school without walls,” the initiative, being implemented by the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), engages farmers in areas such as crop management and integrated pest control, among others. It is part...

Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. J.C. Hutchinson, says discussions are being held with two private investors to establish agro-conomic zones in Annotto Bay in St. Mary, and in Hanover.    The zones are to provide farmers with a reliable market for their produce, and contribute to the reduction of praedial larceny. Addressing the launch...

The St. Catherine Adult Correctional Centre has benefitted from the donation of a hydroponic farming facility from the College of Agriculture, Science and Education, which will aid in the rehabilitation of inmates. Hydroponic is a method of growing plants using mineral nutrient solutions in water, without soil. The farming system was officially handed over by State Minister in the Ministry...

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, is challenging researchers at the Northern Caribbean University (NCU) to undertake more agricultural based studies and innovations which would redound to the benefit of the country. “If we manage to infuse technology and good management into our agricultural practises, we could increase our agricultural output tenfold and where you are in the centre...

In 1996, Marilyn Headley made history by becoming the first female Conservator of Forests in Jamaica and the Commonwealth. “They used to say, you don’t look like a forester; so I would always say, how is a forester supposed to look?” she relates to JIS News. The appointment as head of the Forestry Department – all the more meaningful, as...

Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. J.C. Hutchinson, says $17.7 million has been allocated to assist farmers who were impacted by the beet army worm, especially in sections of Manchester and St. Elizabeth. This is in addition to the $118 million to provide assistance for some 10,000 farmers islandwide who were severely affected...

Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Karl Samuda, says he is confident the agricultural sector will rebound to continue its growth contribution to the economy. The agricultural sector contributed 7.5 per cent to the gross domestic product (GDP) in 2016, but the heavy rains in May affected some 10,000 farmers, resulting in losses worth $800 million. Speaking at...