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General Manager of Round Hill Villas in Hanover, Omar Robinson.
General Manager of Round Hill Villas in Hanover, Omar Robinson.

Jamaicans Encouraged to Participate in Farm Tourism

Farm tourism is fast developing into a lucrative travel market worldwide and one where Jamaica could easily gain a competitive advantage. General Manger of Round Hill Villas, Hanover, Omar Robinson, told a gathering of farmers at a press conference held...
Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) President, Dr. William Smith. He believes agriculture can potentially transform Jamaica’s economy into one that engenders growth and prosperity.
Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) President, Dr. William Smith. He believes agriculture can potentially transform Jamaica’s economy into one that engenders growth and prosperity.

Agriculture Can Transform Jamaica’s Economy – Dr. Smith
Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. J.C. Hutchinson (left), is assisted in operating a mechanical harvester which was on display at a potato farm in Retford, Manchester, which he visited on Wednesday, May 18. The farm’s owner, Peter Peart, is among over 3,000 beneficiaries of assistance under the Government of Canada-funded five-year Promotion of Regional Opportunities through Enterprise and Linkages (PROPEL) project.
Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. J.C. Hutchinson (left), is assisted in operating a mechanical harvester which was on display at a potato farm in Retford, Manchester, which he visited on Wednesday, May 18. The farm’s owner, Peter Peart, is among over 3,000 beneficiaries of assistance under the Government of Canada-funded five-year Promotion of Regional Opportunities through Enterprise and Linkages (PROPEL) project.

Government to Identify Lands for Farming
Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Karl Samuda (head of table), addresses the newly appointed board members of the Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC), Micro Investment Development Agency (MIDA), and the Self Start Fund, at the JBDC head office on Camp Road on May 19. At 3rd left is Chief Executive Officer of the JBDC, Valerie Veira.
Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Karl Samuda (head of table), addresses the newly appointed board members of the Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC), Micro Investment Development Agency (MIDA), and the Self Start Fund, at the JBDC head office on Camp Road on May 19. At 3rd left is Chief Executive Officer of the JBDC, Valerie Veira.

Entities Urged to Improve Data Collection and Research
Executive Director of the Scientific Research Council (SRC), Dr. Cliff Riley (right), and Deputy Project Director for the World University Service of Canada (WUSC) Caribbean, Munish Persaud (left), sign Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), for capacity building support to the SRC to produce disease free Irish potato, sweet yam, ginger and sweet potato plants for farmers. The signing took place on May 17 at the Hope Gardens offices of the agency. Others (from left) are: Project Coordinator for the WUSC, Alvin Murray, and Marketing and Communications Manager at the SRC, Roselyn Fisher.
Executive Director of the Scientific Research Council (SRC), Dr. Cliff Riley (right), and Deputy Project Director for the World University Service of Canada (WUSC) Caribbean, Munish Persaud (left), sign Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), for capacity building support to the SRC to produce disease free Irish potato, sweet yam, ginger and sweet potato plants for farmers. The signing took place on May 17 at the Hope Gardens offices of the agency. Others (from left) are: Project Coordinator for the WUSC, Alvin Murray, and Marketing and Communications Manager at the SRC, Roselyn Fisher.

SRC Signs MoU to Produce Clean Plants

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AgricultureTourism

Jamaica to Pursue Farm Tourism

Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, says Jamaica will be seeking to pursue farm tourism, which has a lucrative travel market worldwide. He noted that many tour operators have been pushing this market in various countries and that Jamaica is geographically poised to benefit from it. “The link between agriculture and tourism is something that we take very seriously and...
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AgricultureFinance & Public Service

Gov’t to Spend $2.4 Billion on Projects in Sugar-Growing Areas

The Government will be spending approximately $2.4 billion to continue work on social infrastructure projects in sugar-dependent areas this fiscal year. The projects, which include rehabilitation of cane roads and installation of irrigation systems, will be carried out under the Sugar Transformation Programme (STP) in the Ministry Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries. Finance and the Public Service Minister, Hon. Audley...
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Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. J.C. Hutchinson (3rd left), in discussion with Ministry officials at a warehouse in Spring Plain, Clarendon, on May 10. The building will be renovated and converted as part of the first Agro Economic Zone to be established by the Government. Others (from left) are: Senior Director with the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), Percival Shaw; Director with the Agro-Investment Corporation (AIC), Charles Reid, and Principal Director for Technical Services at RADA, Peter Thompson.
Agriculture

First Agro Economic Zone to Be Established in Clarendon

The Government is to establish its first Agro Economic Zone in Spring Plain, Clarendon, through a public/private partnership, to process and market produce.             Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. J.C. Hutchinson, says the property, which has a large warehouse, has been leased by an investor, and when it is fully operational, farmers...
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Agriculture

Agrofest set for May 14 at Jamaica College

The 20th staging of Agrofest will be held on Saturday, May 14 on the grounds of Jamaica College, Old Hope Road. The event will see more than 40 exhibitors from Kingston and St. Andrew displaying a range of goods for the hundreds of patrons expected to attend. Addressing the recent launch of Agrofest 2016, President of the Jamaica Agricultural Society...
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Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries Minister, Hon. Karl Samuda (left), and Chief Executive Officer of Rainforest Seafoods, Brian Jardim, peruse a package of fish nuggets during a tour of the entity’s plant on Slipe Road in Kingston, on Friday, May 6.
AgricultureCommerce

Conch Cess to Be Reduced By US$0.25 Cents

Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries Minister, Hon. Karl Samuda, has announced that there will be a reduction in the cess on local conch from US$0.75 cents to US$0.50 cents per pound, this year. He made the announcement during a press conference following a tour of the Rainforest Seafoods plant on Slipe Road in Kingston, on Friday, May 6. Mr. Samuda...
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Jamaica 4-H Clubs’ Girl of the Year, Shevone Smith (left) and Boy of the Year, Patrick Morris, display their trophies at the National Achievement Day Expo held recently, at the Denbigh Showground in May Pen, Clarendon.
AgricultureCommerce

Agriculture Minister Announces $2 Million Prize for 4-H Champions

Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Karl Samuda, has announced that the 2016 Jamaica 4-H Clubs’ Boy and Girl of the Year will each receive $1 million as part of their prize. He said the award is intended to serve as an incentive for more young people to pursue careers in the agricultural sector, including establishing their own businesses,...
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