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National Irrigation Commission (NIC) Chairman, Senator Aubyn Hill (right), greets Technical Officer from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna, Austria, Lena Heng (centre), at the opening of a four-day workshop titled ‘Optimizing Irrigation Water Management to Improve Crop Output and Water Quality Control’, at the Ministry’s offices in St. Andrew on August 22. At left is Manager of Agronomic Research and Development at Sentek Technologies in Adelaide, South Australia, Peter Buss.

Transformation of Irrigation Process a Must for Agriculture – Hutchinson

Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. J.C. Hutchinson, says sustainable growth of the agricultural sector requires transformation of the irrigation process. He pointed out that with issues such as inadequate water supply and...

General Manager for the Commercial Division of JP Tropical Foods, Neil Crum-Ewing, addresses a recent JIS Think Tank.

JP Tropical Foods Looking to Use Drones to Combat Farm Theft

Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. J.C. Hutchinson (left) looks on as Senior Director for D&C Drones, Nigel Davy (2nd left), prepares to launch a drone. Occasion was a demonstration of the use and benefits of the technology to farmers in Lowe River, Trelawny, on August 16.

Agriculture Ministry Introduces Drones to Farmers

Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. J.C. Hutchinson (centre), has the full attention of farmers in Lowe River, Trelawny yesterday (Aug.16), as he explains how the use of drones will boost productivity in the sector.

Plans Advanced for Use of Drones to Combat Praedial Larceny

President of the Jamaica Egg Farmers’ Association (JEFA), Mr. Roy Baker (right), presents a tray of eggs to Mrs. Ingrid Deer-Irving of the Kiwanis Club of Constant Spring, at a breakfast meeting at Terra Nova All-Suite Hotel in Kingston on August 12, to discuss a move to increase egg consumption in Jamaica. The Kiwanis Club of Constant Spring received a carton of eggs to be donated to the St. Matthew 25:40 Children’s Home.

JAS President Hails Push to Increase Egg Production

Managing Director at the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF), Omar Sweeney (at podium), delivers the keynote address at the launch of a $19-million programme to boost the country’s capacity to produce clean Irish potato seedlings, on August 15 at the Scientific Research Council (SRC) offices in St. Andrew. Others (from left) are Chief Post-Entry Officer at the Bodles Research Station, Dr. Peta-Gaye Chang; Consultant/Trainer with the programme, Dr. Juan Carlos Perez Guerra, and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Donovan Stanberry.

10 years ago AgricultureCommerceLabour

JSIF Allocates $19 Million to Boost Production of Potato Seedlings

Jamaica’s capacity to produce clean Irish potato seedlings has been enhanced with a $19-million allocation from the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF). Under the programme, the money spent annually to import 90 per cent of Irish potato seeds into the island will be cut significantly, while the availability of first-generation seeds will be guaranteed throughout the year. Delivering the keynote...

Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. J.C Hutchinson addresses staff at the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) offices in Catherine Hall, St. James on Thursday, August 11. The Ministry is to assist 196 primary schools in setting up vegetable gardens during the upcoming 2016/17 academic school year.

10 years ago AgricultureEducation

Gov’t to Assist 196 Schools with Vegetable Gardens

The Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries is to assist 196 primary schools in setting up vegetable gardens during the upcoming 2016/17 academic school year. Portfolio Minister in the Ministry, Hon. J.C. Hutchinson says the government will be installing security fencing and providing inputs such as fertilizers, seeds, seedlings, as well as the necessary pesticides and water fixtures at...

Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Karl Samuda (left), and Vice President of Marketing and Agricultural Supplies of the Hi-Pro Division of the Jamaica Broilers Group, Mr. Conley Salmon, in conversation following a breakfast meeting at the Terra Nova All-Suite Hotel in Kingston on August 12 to discuss an ongoing campaign to promote increased egg consumption by Hi-Pro and the United States Soybean Export Council (USSEC) in partnership with the Jamaica Egg Farmers Association (JEFA).

10 years ago Agriculture

Maintain Consistency in the Quality and Supply of Eggs – Samuda

Amidst a campaign to encourage increased consumption of eggs, Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Karl Samuda, is urging players in the industry to ensure consistency in price and quality. Addressing a breakfast meeting at the Terra Nova All-Suite Hotel in Kingston on Friday, (August 12), Mr. Samuda said the sector must look at how best to sustain...

Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. J.C. Hutchinson (right) addresses a meeting held at the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) offices in Catherine Hall, St. James on Thursday, August 11. Looking on is Acting Chief Executive Officer of RADA, Peter Thompson.

10 years ago Agriculture

PMOs to Play Major Role in the Distribution of Farm Resources

The Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries is reorganising the distribution of resources, to ensure that genuine farmers are able to receive assistance whenever they need it. This was disclosed by Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry, Hon. J.C. Hutchinson during a tour of the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) offices in Catherine Hall, St. James on Thursday, August...

Executive Director, Scientific Research Council (SRC), Dr. Cliff Riley (3rd right), accepts a cheque for $170,000 from NCB Matilda’s Corner Branch Manager, Dave Wilson (4th left), at the SRC’s Hope Road Office on August 10. The funds will go towards expanding the ‘Energy For Young Minds’ (EFYM) programme of the SRC’s Caribbean Energy Information System (CEIS) Department. Others pictured (from left) are Team Leader for the CEIS, Curtis Deenah; Manager for the Information Services Division at the SRC, Kerry-Ann Curtis; Technical Information Officer, CEIS, Carol Davis; Kingston High School student, Alethia Thompson; Ardenne High School students Nicholi Bogues and Fabrizio Darby; and St. Hugh’s High School student, Oshen Constable.

10 years ago AgricultureTechnology

Energy for Young Minds Project Gets $170,000 from NCB Foundation

The Caribbean Energy Information Systems (CEIS) has received a $170,000 donation from the National Commercial Bank (NCB) Foundation to expand its ‘Energy For Young Minds’ (EFYM) programme. EFYM is an online resource tool for secondary-school students. Team Leader for the CEIS, Curtis Deenah, said the funds will help in acquiring more content, populating the resource tool, promoting the programme, and...

10 years ago AgricultureCommerceJIS Think Tank

JP Tropical Foods to Upgrade Facilties and Increase Production

To support the Government’s thrust to grow the agricultural sector, JP Tropical Foods Limited will be spending approximately US$1.4 million over the next two years to upgrade its facilities. Addressing a JIS ‘Think Tank’ on August 10, General Manager for the Commercial Division of JP Tropical Foods, which is responsible for JP Farms and St. Mary’s snacks, Neil Crum-Ewing, said...

Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. J.C. Hutchinson.

10 years ago Agriculture

Farmers Encouraged to Practise Intercropping

Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries (MICAF), J.C. Hutchinson, is encouraging farmers to practice intercropping, to maximise their earnings. Speaking with farmers from Kingston and St. Andrew and Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) Extension Officers at the Jamaica Confederation of Trade Unions (JCTU) headquarters on Hope Boulevard, in Kingston, on August 9, Mr. Hutchinson argued...