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Team Leader, Caribbean Energy Information Systems (CEIS) Department, Scientific Research Council (SRC), Curtis Deenah.

CEIS Broadens Regional Network

The Caribbean Energy Information Systems (CEIS) Department of the Scientific Research Council (SRC) has increased its regional network with the recent addition of The Cayman Islands. The regional energy information network now coordinates the gathering and dissemination of energy information...

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

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

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10 years ago AgricultureForeign Affairs

Farmers to Receive Organic Certification

A number of local farmers will receive training and certification in organic standards under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS) and the Jamaica Diaspora Agriculture Task Force (JDAT). JAS President, Norman Grant, made the disclosure to JIS News at a food security summit held on April 21 at the Jamaica Conference Centre, Downtown, Kingston. Under...

10 years ago AgricultureBudget 2016/2017

Gov’t to Build Banana and Plantain Processing Plant in St. Mary

The Government is to construct a banana and plantain processing plant at the All Island Banana Growers Association’s (AIBGA) premises at Trinity in St. Mary. Some $143 million has been provided in the 2016/17 Estimates of Expenditure for the facility and other activities under the Jamaica Banana Accompanying Measures (JBAMS) project. Implemented in October 2013, the project aims to combat...

10 years ago AgricultureBudget 2016/2017

Small Ruminant Industry to be Improved

The Government is to complete the procurement of 200 goat embryos for assisted breeding this fiscal year, to improve the quality and efficiency of the small ruminant industry. A sum of $34.7 million has been allocated in the 2016/17 Estimates of Expenditure to carry out this and other initiatives under the Diversification of the Caribbean Livestock through the Production of...

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...