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Chief Technical Director in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries , Dermon Spence (left), listens to the comments of Diaspora Board Member, Kimone Gooden (Right). They were attending the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS) Second National Agricultural, Food Security and Economic Summit, held on April 21, at the Jamaica Conference Centre, Downtown, Kingston. Others pictured from second left are: the JAS 2015 National Farm Queen, Peter-Gaye Stewart, and the President of the JAS, Norman Grant.

Agriculture Ministry Installs Automated Weather Stations

Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Karl Samuda says the Ministry has installed several Automated Weather Stations (AWS), in major crop producing areas. These, he said, are of critical importance in mainstreaming a new climate services component to...

Counsellor and Head of Development Cooperation at the Canadian High Commission, Walter Bernyck (left); and Chief Technical Director in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Dermon Spence (2nd left), examine local potatoes on the shelves at Pricesmart, while representative of the wholesale retailer, Donna-Marie Ford (2nd right), looks on. The occasion was a tour of the Red Hills Road facility by a 26-member regional delegation, which participated in a one week study tour of Jamaica to learn best practices in Irish potato production. The visit was sponsored by the Canadian Government through the Promotion of Regional Opportunities for fresh Produce through Enterprises and Linkages (PROPEL) project.

Jamaica Imparting Best Practices in Irish Potato Production

Grace Smith examines callaloo reaped from her farm in Mafoota, St. James.

Veteran Mafoota Farmer has no Regrets

Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. J.C. Hutchinson (fourth left), makes a point to Cuban Ambassador to Jamaica, His Excellency Bernardo Guanche Hernandez (fifth left), at a demonstration of agricultural implements, manufactured in Cuba, at the Bodles Research Station, in Old Harbour, St. Catherine, on April 19. Others (from left) are: Director General in the Ministry, Don McGlashan; Chief Executive Officer at the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), Lenworth Fulton; Chief Technical Director in the Ministry, Dermon Spence; and Principal Research Director at the Ministry, Dr. Lisa Myers-Morgan.

Government to Acquire Farming Equipment from Cuba

Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Karl Samuda (2nd left), listens to a point being made by Director General in the Ministry, Don McGlashan (right), during a tour of an onion farm in Colbeck St. Catherine, on April 12. Others touring include: Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry, Hon. J.C. Hutchinson (3rd left); Permanent Secretary, Donovan Stanberry (centre); and Chief Executive Officer, Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), Lenworth Fulton (3rd right).

Fifty Percent Increase in Local Onion Production

10 years ago AgricultureBudget 2016/2017

60 Gravity Drip Irrigation Systems to be Installed

A total of 60 gravity drip irrigation systems are to be installed and commissioned this fiscal year, to improve agricultural outcomes in targeted communities. A sum of $110.4 million has been set aside in the 2016/17 Estimates of Expenditure to carry out this and other activities under the Enhancing the Resilience of the Agricultural Sector and Coastal Areas project. The...

10 years ago AgricultureBudget 2016/2017Environment

$19 Million to Improve Resilience of Vulnerable Areas

The capacity of the island’s vulnerable communities to improve their resilience to climate change and other risk factors has been further boosted with an allocation of $19.6 million. As outlined in the 2016/17 Estimates of Expenditure, the money has been provided under the ‘Enhancing the Resilience of the Agricultural Sector and Coastal Areas’ project. The project aims to protect the...

10 years ago AgricultureBudget 2016/2017

Sugar Cane Pilot Project gets $2.38 Billion

A pilot project to reap a minimum of 300 hectares of sugar cane using green harvesting techniques is to be implemented by September 30, 2016. This activity is to be carried out under the Sugar Transformation Programme for which the Government has allocated $2.38 billion in the 2016/17 Estimates of Expenditure. The programme seeks to develop a sustainable private sector-led...

10 years ago AgricultureBudget 2016/2017

$292 Million Set Aside for Repair of Mid-Clarendon Irrigation System

The Government is expected to spend $292 million this fiscal year to undertake rehabilitation of the Mid-Clarendon Irrigation system to reduce water loss and operational costs. The funds have been set aside in the 2016/17 Estimates of Expenditure, now before the House of Representatives. To be implemented by the National Irrigation Commission, the works will involve replacement of several thousand...

10 years ago Agriculture

Agriculture a Key Part of Growth Agenda

Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. J.C. Hutchinson, says strengthening the contribution of agriculture to economic growth is a major priority of the Government. Mr. Hutchinson was speaking at the official launch of Newport Fersan’s Manni-Plex liquid fertiliser at Adam’s Valley Farm in Manchester on Wednesday (April 13). He noted that Jamaican produce,...

Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Karl Samuda (left), addresses a press conference at the Ministry’s offices in New Kingston earlier this week. Listening is Permanent Secretary, Donovan Stanberry.

10 years ago AgricultureCommerce

Repairs Underway at Long Pond Sugar Factory

Repairs are underway at the Long Pond Sugar Factory in Trelawny to facilitate the re-start of operations. Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Karl Samuda, said the work should be completed within the next three weeks. Minister Samuda was addressing a press conference at his New Kingston offices earlier this week, where he announced that the Government-owned Sugar...

Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Karl Samuda (left), emphasizes a point to Minister without Portfolio, Hon. J.C. Hutchinson (right), during the Ministry’s field day exercise for farmers in Colbeck, St. Catherine, on Tuesday, April 12. Also listening, from 2nd left, are: the Ministry’s Director General, Don McGlashan; and President of the Colbeck Water Users Association, Emile Spence.

10 years ago Agriculture

Agriculture Expected to Rebound this Year

There is great anticipation of the agricultural sector’s recovery from the harsh drought impacting it in 2015, to record significant growth this year. Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries Minister, Hon. Karl Samuda, says barring a repeat of similar conditions, or the onset of hurricane or other prohibitive factors, “we are going to see real economic growth in this country (being spurred...