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Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Derrick Kellier (2nd left), listens as Farm Manager at the Orange River Agricultural Research Station in St. Mary, Zavier Gray (right), explains the germination process of the pond apple, one of several plants grown at the station’s nursery. Minister Kellier was on a tour of drought affected areas in the parish on Thursday (September 25). Also pictured (from left) are: Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Donovan Stanberry; and Director of the station, Adrian Burke.

Drought Affected Farmers in St. Mary to Get Assistance

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...

Minister of State in the Ministry of Agriculture, Labour and Social Security, Hon. Luther Buchanan (right), shares a light moment with President of the Jamaica Pig Farmers Association (JPFA), Hanif Brown (2nd right), at yesterday’s (September 24) annual general meeting of the organisation held at the Golf View Hotel in Mandeville. Sharing in the occasion (from left) are: Business Development Manager at Hi-Pro, Dayne Patterson; and Corporate Affairs Manager at Caribbean Broilers (CB), Dr Keith Amiel.

Pork Industry On Steady Growth Path – Buchanan

Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Derrick Kellier (right), addresses journalists at a press briefing held at the Ministry’s head office at Hope Gardens on Friday (Sept. 18). At left is Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Donovan Stanberry.

Agriculture Credit Board Takes Over Management of National People’s Cooperative Bank

Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Labour and Social Security, the Hon. Derrick Kellier.

Agriculture Minister to Report to Cabinet on Way Forward for National People’s Cooperative Bank Jamaica Limited

A beneficiary of the Jamaica Rural Economy and Ecosystems Adapting to Climate cHange (Ja REEACH) project, Verol Douglas (left), accepts a plaque from Director of Technical Assistance, Ja REEACH, Dian Dormer, during a partner recognition and project closing luncheon, held at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in Kingston, today (September 16).

Thousands Benefit From Ja REEACH Project

Minister of Agriculture, Labour and Social Security, Hon. Derrick Kellier (2nd right), signs a certificate of collaboration with Food for the Poor, for the donation of hand tractors to farmers under the Government of Jamaica/Adaptation Fund Programme (GoJ/AFP). Occasion was the handing over of the tractors at the Ministry’s Old Hope Road offices today (Sept. 1). Others (from left) are: Programme Manager, GoJ/AFP, Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ), Sheila McDonald Miller; Senior Director, Food for the Poor, Ron Burgess; and State Minister in the Ministry, Hon. Luther Buchanan. Observing in the background is Programme Manager, GoJ/AFP, I. W. Wilson.

11 years ago Agriculture

Farmers Benefit from $92 Million in Support under Adaptation Fund Programme

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...

Minister of Agriculture, Labour and Social Security, Hon. Derrick Kellier (right), addresses farm workers at the M.G. Hurd Farm in Hudson Valley, New York, during his recent visit and tour of the facility. At third right is Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, Colette Roberts-Risden, who accompanied the Minister.

11 years ago Agriculture

Long-Serving Farm Workers Receive PM’s Length of Service Certificate

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...

Marketing Consultant at the Ministry of Agriculture, Dr. Derrick Deslandes, makes a point during a JIS ‘Think Tank’ on August 14.

11 years ago Agriculture

Local Supply of Fresh Produce Not Affected By Exports

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...

Consultant to the Agricultural Competiveness Programme, Dr. Derrick Deslandes (centre), makes a point as he addresses a recent JIS Think Tank, to provide details about the recent buyers mission to the island from the United States. He is flanked by Country Representative for the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation in Agriculture (IICA), Dr. Elizabeth Johnson; and Carlos Capote of JC Tropicals in Miami.

11 years ago Agriculture

US Buyers Impressed With Agro Parks

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, speaking at the official handing over of a drip irrigation system at food safety facility at the Braco Farms in Trelawny on Thursday (August 13).

11 years ago AgricultureTourism

More Than 800 Jamaican Employed Under REDI Project

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...

Agriculture, Labour and Social Security Minister, Hon. Derrick Kellier (4th right), inspects drip irrigation pipes on the Braco Farms in Trelawny, during a tour on August 13. The irrigation system is part of a $11.7 million project funded by the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF), which includes establishment of a food safety facility on the farm. Others looking on are Managing Director of JSIF, Omar Sweeney (3rd left); State Minister in the Ministry, Hon. Luther Buchanan (2nd right); and Member of Parliament for North Trelawny, Hon. Patrick Atkinson.

11 years ago Agriculture

Braco Farmers Get Drip Irrigation System

Eighteen small farmers, who cultivate fruits and vegetables on the Braco Farms in Trelawny, are benefitting from the installation of a drip irrigation system. The Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF) provided funding for the $11.7 million project, which included the establishment of a food safety facility, where the farmers can package and store their produce, which includes watermelon, cantaloupe, sweet...

Agriculture, Labour and Social Security Minister, Hon. Derrick Kellier (left) shares a light moment with Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries , Donovan Stanberry and Consultant with the Agricultural Competitiveness Programme, Nancy Cely-Icaza. Occasion was the opening ceremony of the Agricultural Competiveness Programme’s United States Buyer Mission on August 11, at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, New Kingston.

11 years ago Agriculture

Jamaica Looking to Meet Fresh Produce Demand in United States

Exporters and agro park producers are engaged in meetings with potential buyers from the United States (US), as the country looks to boost fresh produce exports to the North American country. The five-day buyer mission, organised by the Agricultural Competiveness Programme, aims to significantly strengthen, expand and advance relations between fresh produce buyers from Miami and New York and producers...