President of the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS), Senator Norman Grant, has hailed the ‘Eat Jamaican’ campaign as a game changer in the Jamaican economy. He said the 12-year-old campaign, which encourages Jamaicans to ‘Grow What We Eat…Eat What We Grow’, has saved the country over US$500 million in food imports since its launch in November 2003. He noted that with...

State Minister in the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Luther Buchanan, says the Government will be intensifying its fight against praedial larceny, the incidence of which has dropped by 14 per cent since March. He warned that heavy fines will be meted out to those who continue to engage in the practice. Addressing farmers and stakeholders at the 16th...

Agriculture and Fisheries Minister, Hon. Derrick Kellier, has again called on persons to desist from setting fires to sugarcane fields. He noted that a total of 524 fires have adversely affected cane production in the 2014/15 crop year. “This has resulted in the loss of some 172,685 tonnes or 3177.34 hectares of cane,” said the Minister. “Think of the difference...

The Government has announced measures to assist sugarcane farmers, who have been severely affected by drought over the past two years. Among the measures is a relief on loan repayment for farmers, who accessed funds under the Cane Expansion Fund. “Given the impact of the droughts of both 2014 and 2015 on farmer productivity as well as earnings, the Government...

Stakeholders in the sugar industry are being lauded for ensuring stability during recent work separation exercises, and the divestment of several sugar factories across the island. State Minister in the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Luther Buchanan, who commended the various groups in the industry, including trade unions, said the collaboration can “defeat the new challenges we face.” “Against...

Agriculture, Labour and Social Security Minister, Hon. Derrick Kellier, says the Government is close to reaching an agreement with the Jamaica Manufacturers’ Association (JMA) in relation to the imposition of a cess on imported refined sugar. He made the announcement while addressing the 78th annual conference of the Jamaica Sugar Technologists at the Rui Hotel in Ocho Rios, St. Ann...

The Praedial Larceny Prevention Unit (PLPU) of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries is reporting a 14 per cent decrease in praedial larceny cases and farm theft, since the unit began operating in March. Head of the eight-month-old unit, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Kevin Francis, said that to date they have prosecuted 133 offences, which include larceny of cattle, receiving...