Debate on a Bill seeking to modernise the agricultural sector to meet the demands of increased food security and agricultural productivity began in the House of Representatives on April 12. Piloting the Bill – The Agricultural Loan Societies and Approved Organisations Act – Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Karl Samuda, said the modernisation process involves streamlining certain...

The Fishermen of Oracabessa Bay in St. Mary are reaping the benefits of the locally established fish sanctuary, which has significantly increased the fish stock in the area. Manager of the Oracabessa Bay Fish Sanctuary, Inilek Wilmot tells JIS News since the inception of the project in 2008, there has been a significant increase in the fish stock. “We have...

Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries Hon Karl Samuda is expressing support for Irish potato farmers, as the Government seeks to achieve self-sufficiency in the crop’s production. He was addressing farmers at the launch of the 2016/17 Irish Potato Programme at the Shiloah Apostolic Church in Malton, Manchester on Friday (March 24). The National Irish Potato Programme, is aimed...

Thirty-two retirees of the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries were recently honoured for a combined 878 years of public service. The honourees, who were attached to various divisions, were recognized for service ranging from eight to 40 years. Each person received a commemorative plaque and gift during a special ceremony held recently at the Knutsford Court Hotel in...

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Donovan Stanberry, says Jamaica owes a debt of gratitude to the Ministry’s employees whose work has helped to spur economic growth. Speaking at a recognition ceremony for 31 of the Ministry’s retirees at The Knutsford Court Hotel in New Kingston, on March 15, Mr. Stanberry noted that agriculture has...

Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. J.C Hutchinson, has called on farmers to play their part in growing Jamaica’s economy. Speaking at Friday’s (March 10) Irish potato production post-harvest seminar and study tour in Hounslow, St. Elizabeth, he emphasized that if farming does not grow, neither could the economy. To that end, he...

Stakeholder activities under a $677.85-million (€5-million) European Union (EU) grant-funded programme to revitalise Jamaica’s banana sector, which had been seriously impacted by the weather in recent years, are far advanced. The Jamaica Banana Accompanying Measures (JBAM) Programme, being implemented by the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), aims to spur increased production and other key outcomes, following recent fallouts caused by...