Latest

Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Derrick Kellier (2nd left); and Minister of State in the Ministry, Hon. Luther Buchanan (3rd left), examine sorrel reaped by a locally developed Sorrel Harvesting Machine, during the official launch on October 27 at the Ministry’s Hope Gardens headquarters in St. Andrew. Also pictured are inventors of the machine and Directors of Turner Innovations Limited, Allison (left) and Oral Turner (right).

Processing of Sorrel for Popular Christmas Drink Now Cheaper and Easier

Farmers preparing to plant sorrel to meet next year’s demand for the rich, nutritious Christmas-time drink, now have the option of using a locally developed machine, to reduce the time and cost of processing the fruit. The Sorrel Harvesting Machine...

These sheep are products of embryo transfer.

Gov’t Boosting Quality and Productivity of Goat and Sheep Stock

Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Derrick Kellier (second right) examines a head of cabbage during an extensive tour of seven farms across St. Ann on December 3. Looking on from left are: Cabbage farmer, Franklyn Roberts, Member of Parliament for South West St. Ann, Keith Walford, and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Donovan Stanberry.

Farmers Urged To Register With RADA

Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Derrick Kellier, addressing farmers at the Frazer Church of God of Prophecy in Cascade, St. Ann, on December 3 during a tour of farming communities in the parish. The occasion was a tour of some seven key farming communities in St. Ann, to examine the effects of the drought conditions on farming activities.

Minister Kellier Lauds Farmers in St. Ann

Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Derrick Kellier (4th left), in discussion with a representative to Jamaica from the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), Dr. Elizabeth Johnson, at the opening of a two-day seminar on Export Management, organized by the Agricultural Competitiveness Programme (ACP), and held at the Knutsford Court Hotel, in Kingston, December 1. Others (from left) are: Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Donovan Stanberry; Minister of State, Hon. Luther Buchanan; and Programme Director for the ACP, Petronia Colley.

Farmers Encouraged to Seek More Export Opportunities for Certain Crops

10 years ago Agriculture

$16.5 Million to Assist Young Persons and Women to Plant Irish Potato

Approximately $16.5 million in grant assistance has been provided by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, and several stakeholder partners, for 100 young persons and women, under the 2015/16 National Irish Potato Expansion Programme, currently underway. Portfolio Minister, Hon Derrick Kellier, said the allocation, which includes inputs from the Canada-based Promotion of Regional Opportunities for Produce through Enterprises and Linkages...

10 years ago Agriculture

Agriculture Ministry to Test 15 New Irish Potato Varieties

The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries is to conduct research trials on 15 new varieties of imported Irish potato over the next three months, to determine their suitability for local conditions. Portfolio Minister, Hon. Derrick Kellier, said the research into the new potato varieties forms part of activities under the National Irish Potato Expansion Programme, being funded at a cost...

10 years ago Agriculture

Ministry introduces new variety of Irish Potato

The country’s importation of fries could be reduced by at least 30 per cent over the next three years, with the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries’ introduction of the ‘Challenger’ variety of Irish potato, deemed ideal for producing this popular fast food item. Noting that currently, seven million kilogrammes of fries are imported annually at a cost of $700 million,...

10 years ago Agriculture

Farmers in Waugh Hill, Sligoville, Get Water Tanks

Twenty farmers in the Waugh Hill community of Sligoville, St. Catherine, were the beneficiaries of 650-gallon water tanks on December 9, under the Drought Mitigation Programme of the Ministry of Agriculture. The tanks, which are provided through the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), were delivered by Minister with responsibility for Sport and Member of Parliament for North Central St. Catherine,...

10 years ago Agriculture

Significant Reduction in Beet Armyworm Infestation

The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries is reporting that there has been a significant reduction in the beet armyworm infestation across farms that are usually vulnerable to the pest. The pest mostly affects scallion, onion, pepper, beetroot, callaloo, watermelon, cantaloupe, muskmelon and cotton farms in some farming communities in St. Elizabeth and Manchester. Speaking with JIS News, Zonal Plant Health...

10 years ago Agriculture

Agriculture Minister Urges Increased Use of Green Cane Harvesting

Agriculture and Fisheries Minister, Hon. Derrick Kellier, is encouraging players in the sugarcane industry to examine the benefits of green cane harvesting. He noted that the method is already being practised by a few farmers, and recommends that its use be expanded across the industry because of its far-reaching benefits. “It promotes better environmental practices, reduces the impact on the...

10 years ago Agriculture

Agriculture Minister Says Red Stripe’s Cassava Project is Expanding Sector

Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Derrick Kellier, says Red Stripe’s decision to add cassava in its brewing process is expanding the agricultural sector, and providing increased income to farmers. The Minister, who was addressing the opening of Red Stripe’s Wallen Cassava Farm, in Linstead, St. Catherine, today (December 7), said the entire Ministry is pleased with the “progress of...