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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.

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...

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).

More Than 800 Jamaican Employed Under REDI Project

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.

Braco Farmers Get Drip Irrigation System

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.

Jamaica Looking to Meet Fresh Produce Demand in United States

Minister of Agriculture, Labour and Social Security, Hon. Derrick Kellier (left), along with Member of Parliament for South West Clarendon, Hon. Noel Arscott (2nd left), listen as Managing Director of New Leaf Power, Robert Wright (third left), points out features of the Ebony Park solar power system, which was commissioned into service on August 11. Others pictured are Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Donovan Stanberry (fourth left), and Chief Executive Officer of the National Irrigation Commission (NIC), Mark Richards.

Solar System to Reduce Cost at Ebony Park NIC Facility

11 years ago Agriculture

National Farm Queen to Focus on Youth in Agriculture

Twenty-five year old, 2015 National Farm Queen Peta-Gaye Stewart has a vision for agriculture in Jamaica and that is to see more young people getting involved in the sector. She said Jamaica’s aging farming population will likely impact the country’s food security in the next few decades, and is calling for youth to join her in preventing this outcome. “The...

Picture # 085: President of the Jamaica Agricultural Society, Senator Norman Grant (seated second right) joins other members of the Caribbean Farmers Network (CaFAN) for photographs during the official launch of the

11 years ago Agriculture

Small Scale Farmers to Benefit From US$1.5 Million Project

Small scale farmers in Jamaica and across five other Caribbean countries are being empowered to play greater roles in the food security of the region, through the ‘Sustainable, profitable value chains and market linkages in the Caribbean’ project. The project which is estimated to cost some US$1.5 million was officially launched on August 4 at a ceremony held at the...

President of the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS), Senator Norman Grant, having a light conversation with Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Derrick Kellier, while on a tour of the Denbigh Agricultural, Industrial and Food Show in May Pen, Clarendon on Saturday (August 1).

11 years ago Agriculture

JAS To Receive 500 Breadfruit Trees From Dr. Garvey

The Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS) will be receiving a donation of 500 breadfruit trees from Dr. Julius Garvey, son of National Hero, the Right Excellent Marcus Mosiah Garvey. The trees are to be distributed to farmers and will also be planted at the Denbigh Showground in May Pen, Clarendon. This was announced by JAS President, Senator Norman Grant, at the...

Deputy Governor-General, Hon. Steadman Fuller (left), is presented with a pimento plant by General Manager, AGRO GRACE, Olive Downer Walsh (centre), during the first day of the 63rd Denbigh Agricultural and Industrial Show, at Denbigh showground, May Pen, Clarendon, on Friday, July 31. Mr. Fuller represented Governor-General, His Excellency, the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen. Assisting Ms. Downer is Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS) President and Denbigh Show Committee Chairman, Senator Norman Grant.

11 years ago Agriculture

Jamaica Agricultural Society Proposes the Creation of ‘Denbigh City’

The Jamaica Agriculture Society (JAS) is seeking to partner with key stakeholders to create a ‘Denbigh City’, at the Denbigh showground, in May Pen, Clarendon. President of the JAS, Senator Norman Grant, says under the initiative, it is proposed to have year-round activities being held at the 52-acre property, which currently hosts the annual three-day Denbigh Agricultural, Industrial, and Food...

11 years ago Agriculture

National Irrigation Commission to be Overhauled

Agriculture, Labour and Social Security Minister, Hon. Derrick Kellier, says the National Irrigation Commission (NIC) is to be comprehensively overhauled in a bid to further maximize the entity’s outputs by reducing water lost in the process of transmission to farmers. This, he anticipates, will be achieved through initiatives to upgrade the NIC’s facilities, such as the lining of canals, and...

Deputy Governor-General, Hon. Steadman Fuller (right), presents Director, Customer Solutions, Digicel, Patrick King (left), with an award for the company

11 years ago Agriculture

Governor-General Lauds Jamaica’s Farmers

Governor-General, His Excellency, the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen, has praised Jamaica’s farmers on their resilience and efforts, in contending with the prevailing drought and other challenges impacting the agricultural sector. The Governor-General said the farmers must be lauded for persevering despite the varying obstacles that could deter them from contributing to the country’s food security. “I am heartened by...

Minister of Agriculture, Labour and Social Security, Hon. Derrick Kellier (3rd left), plants a tree at the St. Andrew parish office of the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), to mark the Authority’s 25th anniversary, recently. Others (from left) are: President of the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS), Senator Norman Grant; Chief Technical Officer in the Ministry of Agriculture, Dermon Spence; Chairman of RADA, Richard Harrison, and Land Husbandry Officer with RADA, Robert Tulloch.

11 years ago Agriculture

RADA Assisting Farmers to Deal With Climate Change

The Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), is using its 25th anniversary celebrations across the island to equip farmers with skills to deal with climate change, and will showcase this thrust at the 2015 Denbigh Agricultural Show, in May Pen, Clarendon. According to Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of RADA, Lenworth Fulton, farmers and other interested patrons attending the three-day event, commencing...