Measures to monitor activities in Jamaica’s livestock industry have formally commenced, following  the launch of Government’s $35 million National Animal Identification and Traceability System (NAITS), on November 13, by Agriculture, Labour and Social Security Minister, Hon. Derrick Kellier. The system, which was launched during the annual Minard Livestock and Beef Festival, at Minard Estate, Brown’s Town, St. Ann, will primarily...

The Jamaica Egg Farmers Association (JEFA), is assuring Jamaicans that an adequate supply of table eggs will be available for the festive season, and that there will be no significant increase in price. In an interview with JIS News, President of the JEFA, Roy Baker, said the projection for December is 13.2 million eggs, more than enough to meet the...

As the citrus industry battles with the citrus greening disease, the Government is assuring of its continued drive to effectively manage the disease and ensure the sustainability of the industry. This assurance comes from Chief Technical Director in the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Dermon Spence, who noted that the Ministry has been undertaking several measures, including aggressive vector control...

Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Labour and Social Security, Hon. Derrick Kellier, is urging sugar cane industry stakeholders to strive towards achieving greater productivity and increased production during the forthcoming 2014/15 crop season, and beyond. This, he says, is necessary in order to cushion the local sector from the impact of a possible further decline in global sugar market prices....

Cane farmers are being urged to protect the crop lien arrangement, available through the Sugar Industry Authority (SIA), as they would face significant challenges accessing loans if this facility is jeopardized, due to the actions of some farmers. Executive Chairman of the SIA, Ambassador Derick Heaven, issued the caution on November 6, at the annual general meeting of the All-Island...

Minister of State for Agriculture, Labour, and Social Security, Hon. Luther Buchanan, is urging stakeholders in the sugar industry to agree on a formula, which will allow cane farmers to share in the anticipated revenues from electricity co-generation. “So when we get…to that place where bagasse and the sugar factories play a major role in generating electricity, (farmers) can truly...

With dairy farmers only producing 10 per cent of the US$50 million worth of fresh milk and milk products consumed by Jamaicans annually, the Jamaica Dairy Development Board (JDDB) is on a mission to significantly boost productivity in the sector. Local farmers produce between 12 and 13 million litres of fresh milk per year, valued at over $800 million. When...