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...

Thousands of Jamaicans have benefitted from climate change awareness and resilience building strategies, through the Jamaica Rural Economy and Ecosystems Adapting to Climate cHange (Ja REEACH) project. Since the project’s implementation in 2012, Ja REEACH has worked with key partners, impacting rural lives and livelihoods in over 70 communities across the island. Participants in the various programmes were exposed to...

Approximately 2, 100 farmers in some 50 communities across the island have benefited from $92 million in support over the last two years under the Government of Jamaica/Adaptation Fund Programme (GoJ/AFP). This was disclosed by Minister of Agriculture, Labour and Social Security, Hon. Derrick Kellier today (Sept. 1), during the presentation of hand tractors to farmers groups benefiting under the...

Ninety Jamaicans, who have participated in the United States (US) Farm Work Programme for several years, have been presented with the Prime Minister’s Length of Service Certificate. The workers are from farms in Hudson Valley in New York, which is the second largest apple growing area in the US, and were recognised for service ranging from 15 years to over 30...

As the island continues to experience a longer than usual dry spell, the Ministry of Agriculture  is assuring the public that its buyers mission that seeks to attract overseas importers of local fresh produce, through the Agricultural Competitiveness Programme, will not affect local supply. Marketing Consultant at the Ministry, Dr. Derrick Deslandes, says that Jamaicans can still expect their usual...

Fresh produce buyers from the United States (US), who visited the island last week, say they are impressed with the high quality of produce coming out of the agro parks. “The parks have been impressive. There is a lot of opportunity to do business here in Jamaica.  To grow the export is the goal,” said Carlos Capote of JC Tropicals in...

Managing Director of the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF), Omar Sweeney, says over 800 Jamaicans have been employed under the Rural Economic Development Initiative (REDI) project. The World Bank-funded project, implemented in 2010, focuses on income generating interventions in the areas of agriculture and tourism, supported by the various linkages for marketing. “Today, under the REDI programme, we have supported...