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Minister Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Karl Samuda.

Talks Underway With Potential New Investors for Long Pond – Minister Samuda

Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Karl Samuda, says that talks are underway with potential new investors in the operations at the Long Pond Sugar Factory in Clark’s Town, Trelawny. He said the Ministry “is working overtime” with...

Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Karl Samuda, addresses sugar stakeholders at the Long Pond Sugar Factory in Clark’s Town, Trelawny during a tour of the facility on Friday (July 8).

Gov’t Puts Measures in Place to Keep Monymusk Open – Hon. Karl Samuda

Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Karl Samuda (left), in conversation with Donnie Nembhard (right), a farmer at the New Forest/Duff House Agro Park, in Manchester, during his tour on July 7. At centre is Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Donovan Stanberry. The occasion was the handover of a drip irrigation system funded by the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF) at a cost of $75 million.

Major Investment at Hounslow Agro Park

Minister without portfolio in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. J.C. Hutchinson, making his contribution to the 2016/2017 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on July 5.

Five Agro-Economic Zones to be Established

Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. J. C. Hutchinson (2nd left), observes workers in the GraceKennedy agro-processing plant in Hounslow, St. Elizabeth, during a recent tour. At left is the Maintenance Supervisor at the plant, Dwayne Johnson.

Gracekennedy Commended for Setting up Plant in Hounslow

10 years ago Agriculture

Spotlight on Organic Farming at Denbigh

Organic farming and food security will be the focus of this year’s symposium at the Denbigh Agricultural, Industrial and Food Show. The event will be hosted by Jamaica Diaspora Agriculture Task Force (JDATF) in partnership with the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS). Addressing a JIS Think Tank recently, President of the JAS, Norman Grant, said the symposium will offer training, technical...

Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Karl Samuda (2nd right), looks on as President of the College of Agriculture, Science, and Education (CASE), Dr. Derrick Deslandes (right), hands over a signed copy of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to Chief Executive Officer of Seprod, Richard Pandohie (2nd left). The MoU, which was signed on Tuesday (July 5) at the Ministry’s Hope Gardens offices in St. Andrew, will see students from CASE benefiting from internships at Seprod. Others in attendance are Director at Seprod, Melanie Subratie (left); Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Donovan Stanberry (background left); and Member of Parliament for Eastern St. Thomas, Dr. Fenton Ferguson.

10 years ago AgricultureCommerce

Seprod Signs $30-Million MOU with CASE

Students at the College of Agriculture, Science and Education (CASE) are to benefit from practical training in dairy production under a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Seprod. The $30-million agreement, which was signed on July 5 at the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries in St. Andrew will, among other things, see Seprod offering internship opportunities to CASE...

Managing Director of Maroon’s Pride Banana Chips Factory in St. James, Robert Chambers.

10 years ago Agriculture

Disease-Resistant Honduran Bananas Popularity Growing in Jamaica

Bananas developed by the Honduran Agricultural Research Foundation (FHIA) are finding favour among local industry stakeholders. The varieties, inclusive of the ‘Goldfinger’ (FHIA-01), ‘Sweetheart’ (FHIA-3) and ‘Dwarf Hybrid’ (FHIA-25), are renowned for being disease-resistant and more suitable for cooking and processing into snacks. They are cooked within five minutes when boiled, remain soft after being cooled and, as such, are...

10 years ago AgricultureSectoral Debate 2016/2017

Levy Reduction on Export of Conch

A levy of US$0.50 has been imposed on each pound of conch exported during the 2016 conch season. This is a reduction from the US$0.75 imposed on each pound of conch exported during the 2015 season. The House of Representatives, on Tuesday, July 5, approved the Conch (Export Levy) (Rate of Levy) Order Resolution, 2016, to facilitate the Order. Minister...

Head of the Community Safety and Security Branch, Assistant Commissioner of Police Gary Welsh, addresses farmers at the launch of three farm watches in Portland recently.

10 years ago AgricultureNational Security and Peace

Praedial Larceny to be Treated as Organised Crime

Persons involved in the theft of agricultural produce could soon face stiff penalties under the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA). Prime Minister the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, in his Budget Debate presentation in May, said that an amendment to the Proceeds of Crime Act, to include praedial larceny, is among legislative measures to be given priority this fiscal year. Head...

Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. J.C. Hutchinson (2nd right) and the Ambassador of the Republic of Colombia, His Excellency Roberto Garcia Marquez (second left), shake hands after they unveiled the plaque to officially open the University of the West Indies (UWI) Agricultural Research and Innovation facility in Elim, St. Elizabeth on June 30. Others (from left) are Director General of the Colombian Presidential Agency of International Cooperation (APC), Alejandro Gamboa and Deputy Principal of the University of the West Indies, Mona, Professor Ishenkumba Kahwa.

10 years ago Agriculture

Minister Wants Country to Become Major Supplier of Agricultural Products

Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. J. C. Hutchinson, is encouraging farmers to ramp up production, in order for the country to become a major supplier of agricultural products. Speaking at the opening of the University of the West Indies (UWI) Agricultural Research and Innovation facility in Elim, St. Elizabeth, on June 30,...

Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Karl Samuda (centre), listens as Information Officer, National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA), Nola Wright, highlights items on a display table mounted by NEPA, at the International Fisherman’s Day Conference 2016 held on June 29 at the Girl Guides Association’s headquarters in Kingston. At left is Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Donovan Stanberry.

10 years ago Agriculture

Agriculture Ministry Addressing Waste Management at Pedro Cays

The Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries is putting measures in place to ensure the environmental sustainability of the Pedro Cays. The plan involves more regular clean-up and waste collection and the installation of 20 toilets to provide proper sanitary facilities for the residents. “We have started the process and we have (recently) disposed of over 200 bags of...