President of the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS), Senator Norman Grant, has hailed the ‘Eat Jamaican’ campaign for helping to reduce  the country’s food import bill. “If we did not have the ‘Eat Jamaican’ campaign, our food bill could be US$1.5 billion. The campaign has managed to save Jamaica US$500 million,” Senator Grant said. The President was speaking at the celebration...

Agriculture and Fisheries Minister, Hon. Derrick Kellier, has lauded the work of the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. Speaking at the official opening of the new Trelawny parish office of RADA at Hague, near Falmouth, on October 1, Mr. Kellier said RADA, which is an arm of the Ministry, has become synonymous...

The Scientific Research Council (SRC), the agency with principal responsibility for coordinating and promoting Jamaica’s scientific research, is urging persons to come forward with their creative ideas, and take full advantage of the assistance, which is available. Executive Director of the SRC, Dr. Cliff Riley, said the agency is aware that there are many Jamaicans, who have good ideas, and...

The Scientific Research Council (SRC) has been producing a wide range of disease-free plantlets for the agricultural sector. Process Development Officer at the SRC, Gillian Rowe, said through the use of tissue culture technology, planting material is being made available to farmers and horticulturists. These include banana, plantain, pineapple, ginger, several varieties of yam, herbal products, and various ornamentals. She...

Agriculture, Labour, and Social Security, Hon. Derrick Kellier, is encouraging farmers to establish fire prevention groups to mitigate the occurrence of dangerous fires which have been destroying large acres of crops islandwide. He advises farmers not to light fires when preparing land for cultivation, warning that this practice could lead to flames spreading rapidly, under the prevailing dry conditions, resulting...

Farmers from drought affected areas of St. Mary are to benefit from a $3 million mitigation programme to help with the recovery of their crops. The programme, which takes immediate effect, was announced by Minister of Agriculture, Labour  and Social Security, Hon. Derrick Kellier, yesterday (September 25), following a tour of the worst affected areas of the parish. “(The Government)...

The Minister of State in the Ministry of Agriculture, Labour and Social Security, Hon. Luther Buchanan, is reporting that the pork industry is on a steady growth path. He said a supply management regime that the Government implemented in 2012, to address a glut on the market, has ensured that the investments of farmers are not threatened. The regime, he...