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Minister of Agriculture, Labour and Social Security, Hon. Derrick Kellier (left) tours the papaya grove at Advanced Farms/Martha’s Best Papaya in Martha Brae, Trelawny on Friday (April 17), before handing over $1 million in grant assistance for improvements to the packaging house. Others from (second left) are: Director General in the Ministry, Don McGlashan; Farm Manager, John Mendez; Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Donovan Stanberry; General Manager of Advanced Farms, Ian Fulton; and Minister of State in the Ministry, Luther Buchanan.

Agriculture Ministry Provides Grant Assistance to Two Food Export Facilities

Two food export entities in western Jamaica have benefitted from grant assistance amounting to $ 2.1 million from the Ministry of Agriculture, to undertake improvements to their facilities. Portfolio Minister, Hon. Derrick Kellier, handed over the cheques to the operators...

Programme Manager of the agriculture component of the Government of Jamaica Adaptation Fund Programme, Mr. I.W. Wilson, addresses a recent JIS ‘Think Tank’.

Agricultural Sector Benefitting from Adaptation Fund

Minister of State for Agriculture, Labour and Social Security. Hon Luther Buchanan (centre), and Member of Parliament for Central St. Mary, Hon. Dr. Morais Guy (left), engage Membership Manager at the All Island Banana Growers’ Association, Jennerie Elliott, at the 2015 St. Mary Agri-Expo, held April 6, at the Gray’s Inn Sports Complex, in Annotto Bay.

Growth Impacting Agricultural Parishes

Minister of Agriculture, Labour and Social Security, Hon. Derrick Kellier (second left), examines a large dry coconut during a tour of the display area of the Montpelier Agricultural Show in St. James, on April 6. Others (from right) are: Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Donovan Stanberry; Mayor of Montego Bay and President of the St.
James Association of Branch Societies of the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS), Glendon Harris and Zonal Director of the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) in Western Jamaica, Donald Robinson. — Minister of Agriculture, Labour and Social Security, Hon. Derrick Kellier (second left), examines a large dry coconut during a tour of the display area of the Montpelier Agricultural Show in St. James, on April 6. Others (from right) are: Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Donovan Stanberry; Mayor of Montego Bay and President of the St. James Association of Branch Societies of the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS), Glendon Harris and Zonal Director of the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) in Western Jamaica, Donald Robinson.

Farmers Commended for Contribution to Growth of Economy

Minister of Agriculture, Labour and Social Security, the Hon. Derrick Kellier, addresses the launch of Farmers’ Month and the 120th Anniversary Celebrations of the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS), held today (April 8), at the JAS’ headquarters downtown Kingston.

High Int’l Demand for Local Produce

11 years ago Agriculture

Public Announcement – Annual Lobster Close Season April 1 – June 30

The Licensing Authority of the Fisheries Division in the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries wishes to advise the public that the annual Close Season for spiny lobsters commences on April 1 and ends on June 30, 2015. The Fisheries Division wishes to further advise that new Regulations governing the Close Season for spiny lobsters are in effect. These Regulations stipulate...

11 years ago Agriculture

Agriculture Minister Hails Jamaica 4-H Clubs

Agriculture, Labour and Social Security Minister, Hon. Derrick Kellier, has hailed the Jamaica 4-H Clubs as one of the foremost youth training institutions in the country and Caribbean. Speaking at the launch of the agency’s 75th anniversary celebrations at its head office in St. Andrew on Wednesday, April 1, Mr. Kellier said the organisation continues to provide opportunities for youngsters...

State Minister in the Ministry of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining, Hon. Julian Robinson (left), signs agreement on April 2, in Rose Hill, Manchester, for the establishment of a hi-tech greenhouse project in the parishes of Manchester, St. Elizabeth, and St. Ann, funded by the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF) - $153 million, and the Jamaica Bauxite Institute (JBI), $54 million. Also signing (from second left) are: Managing Director for JSIF, Omar Sweeney; Executive Director at JBI, Parris Lyew-Ayee, and Member of Parliament for South Manchester, Hon. Michael Peart.

11 years ago AgricultureTechnology

Farmers to Benefit from Major Greenhouse Project

More than 200 farmers in the parishes of Manchester, St. Elizabeth and St. Ann, are to benefit from a $200 million hi-tech farming project involving some 20 greenhouses at eight sites. The project is being funded by the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF), which is donating $153 million, and $54 million from the Jamaica Bauxite Institute (JBI). Land will be...

Wife of the Governor-General, Her Excellency, the Most Hon. Lady Allen (4th right), and Chairman, Jamaica 4-H Clubs, Senator Norman Grant (6th left), cut the clubs’ 75th anniversary commemorative cake, during Wednesday’s (April 1) launch of activities marking the celebrations, at the agency’s Old Hope Road head office in St. Andrew. Lady Allen is Patron of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations. Among those sharing the occasion are: Agriculture, Labour and Social Security Minister, Hon, Derrick Kellier (centre); Youth and Culture Minister, Hon. Lisa Hanna (3rd left); and members of 4-H Clubs across Kingston and St. Andrew.

11 years ago Agriculture

Land Set Aside in Agro-Parks for Young People

The Ministry of Agriculture is moving to increase youth involvement in the sector by providing young people with access to land in the nine agro-parks currently in operation. Portfolio Minister, Hon. Derrick Kellier, made the announcement while addressing the launch of the Jamaica 4-H Clubs’ 75th anniversary celebrations on Wednesday, April 1, at the agency’s headquarters on Old Hope Road,...

Agriculture, Labour and Social Security Minister, Hon. Derrick Kellier (2nd right); and Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of Argentina, in Jamaica, Juan Nuñez (right), are shown product samples by Jamaica Exporters’ Association (JEA) President, Marjory Kennedy (3rd left), at the JEA’s Breakfast Forum, held today (March 31), in Kingston, under the theme: ‘Building Export Markets in the Agro-Industry’. Mr. Kellier was the guest speaker. Also observing is JEA Vice President, Stephen Dawkins.

11 years ago Agriculture

Divestment of Commercial Assets in Cocoa Industry Far Advanced

Agriculture, Labour and Social Security Minister, Hon. Derrick Kellier, says the Government’s proposed divestment of its commercial assets in Jamaica cocoa industry, spearheaded by the Cocoa Industry Board (CIB), is now in the “final stages” of implementation. He notes that there is “strong” local and overseas interest in the sector, “to establish new acreages as well as rehabilitate existing acreages.”...

Agriculture, Labour and Social Security Minister, Hon. Derrick Kellier (right), listens keenly to a point being made by General Manager, Jamaica Cane Product Sales Limited, Karl James (left), at Jamaica Exporters’ Association (JEA) Breakfast Forum, held at the organization’s Winchester Road head office in Kingston, on March 31, under the theme: ‘Building Export Markets in the Agro-Industry’. Mr. Kellier was the guest speaker. Also listening are: JEA Vice President, Stephen Dawkins (2nd left), and President, Marjory Kennedy.

11 years ago Agriculture

Agro-Parks Will Enhance Country’s Competitiveness – Minister Kellier

Agriculture and Fisheries Minister, Hon Derrick Kellier, says the Government’s agro-park programme is being maximized to enhance Jamaica’s global competitiveness in the production and exportation of non-traditional produce. He says the move to this end includes Global GAP certification of the nine agro-parks currently in operation. GAP is an acronym for Good Agricultural Practice (GAP), and Global GAP, as an...

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

11 years ago Agriculture

Agriculture Minister Cautions against Importing Pork

Minister of Agriculture, Labour and Social Security, Hon. Derrick Kellier, has cautioned consumers and stakeholders in the food industry, not to panic in the face of the reported shortages in the pork industry and to resist the urge for imported alternatives. “I wish to refer to the current situation as it relates to the reported shortages in the pork industry....