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Chief Executive Officer of the National Irrigation Commission (NIC), Dr. Mark Richards (centre), addressing a JIS ‘Think Tank’ on March 19. Others (from left) are: Commercial Department Manager at the NIC, Mrs. Lorraine Geddes-McDonald and Director of Engineering and Technical Services at the NIC, Mr. Milton Henry.

NIC Provides Water for 36,066 Hectares across the Island

With a major focus on advancing irrigated agriculture, the National Irrigation Commission (NIC) is operating 10 irrigation schemes that cover 36,066.20 hectares in the eastern, central and western regions of Jamaica. Addressing a JIS ‘Think Tank’ on March 19, Chief...

President of the Jamaica Agricultural Society’s St. James Association of Branch Societies, and Mayor of Montego Bay , Councillor Glendon Harris, announces that the 32nd staging of the Montpelier Agricultural and Industrial Show in St James, on Easter Monday (April 6), will be dedicated to the memory of the late Minister of Agriculture, Roger Clarke. He was speaking at the press launch of the show in Montego Bay on March 18.

Montpelier Show Dedicated To Memory of Roger Clarke

The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, has imposed an immediate import restriction on poultry products from North America the main source from which Jamaica imports poultry products.

Agriculture Ministry Imposes Restrictions on Poultry Imports

Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Derrick Kellier (left), and St. Thomas farmer, Gary McLean (second left), lift bags of recently harvested onions, during a tour of the Yallahs Agro Park in the parish. Also sharing in the moment are: Advisor to the Minister, Phyllis Mitchell (left, background), Zonal Director, Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), Percival Shaw (right), and Chief Technical Director in the Ministry, Don McGlashan.

1.1 Million Kilograms of Onions to be Reaped

Chief Executive Officer of the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), Lenworth Fulton, examines items on display at the Caribbean Food Safety and Security Conference, held from March 17 to 18, at the Hyatt Ziva Rose Hall Resort in Montego Bay. Mr. Fulton addressed the conference on March 18. The conference was held under the theme: 'Food safety and security global perspective ... Caribbean readiness'.

RADA CEO says Food Security is National Priority

State Minister for Agriculture, Labour, and Social Security, Hon. Luther Buchanan (right), and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Donovan Stanberry (2nd left), are engaged in conversation with Public Information Director in the Division of Plant Industry of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Denise Feiber (2nd right), during the recent re-launch of the ‘Don’t pack A Pest’ campaign, at Donald Quarrie High School, Harbour View, St. Andrew . With them are Outreach and Risk Communications Coordinator in the United States Department of Agriculture – Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Plant Protection and Quarantine, Heather Curlett (3rd left); and Senior Director of Kingston Operations, Jamaica Customs Agency, Selina Clarke Graham.

11 years ago Agriculture

Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries Re-Launches ‘Don’t Pack A Pest’ Campaign

The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries has re-launched the ‘Don’t Pack a Pest’ campaign, as part of efforts to prevent possible introduction of pests and diseases to Jamaica which could potentially harm the country’s agricultural sector and natural resources. This engagement aims to heighten public awareness about the items that are prohibited for cross border travel. The Ministry is collaborating...

11 years ago AgricultureBudget 2015/2016

21 More Agro Parks to Be Established

Government is moving to expand the network of Agro Parks across the island, with an additional 21 parks to be established over the next two fiscal years. This was announced by Minister of Finance and Planning, Dr. the Hon. Peter Phillips, while opening the 2015/16 Budget Debate in Parliament on March 12. Dr. Phillips informed that some eight agro parks...

Member of Parliament for North Eastern St.. Elizabeth, Raymond Pryce (right), looks on as Chair of the Digicel Foundation, Jean Lowrie Chin (foreground), cuts the ribbon to open to the Shade House, which the Foundation handed over to the JCDC at the Louise Bennett Garden Theatre, in Kingston, on March 11. Others observing are: Chairman of the Ranny Williams Re-development Committee and Board Commissioner of the JCDC, Pamela Redwood (2nd right); and Executive Director of the JCDC, Delroy Gordon.

11 years ago Agriculture

JCDC Receives Shade House

The Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) has received a Shade House valued at $2.2 million from the Digicel Foundation. The Shade House, which was handed over at the Louise Bennett Garden Theatre in Kingston on March 11, will enable the JCDC to have an independent and sustainable source of plants for the decoration of its various cultural activities. Chair of...

Minister of Agriculture, Labour and Social Security, Hon. Derrick Kellier (seated centre), and Managing Director of Red Stripe, Cedric Stewart (seated right), shake hands after signing a lease agreement for 250 acres of lands at Cheesefield, St. Catherine for the cultivation of cassava. The signing ceremony was held on March 10, at the company’s Spanish Town Road offices. Others (standing from right) are: State Minister in the Ministry, Hon. Luther Buchanan; Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Donovan Stanberry; Deputy Chairman of the Agro Investment Corporation (AIC), Jonathan Brown; Chief Executive Officer of the AIC, Everton Spencer; and Chairman of Red Stripe, Richard Byles.

11 years ago Agriculture

Minister Kellier Hails Red Stripe’s Cassava Project

Minister of Agriculture, Labour and Social Security, Hon. Derrick Kellier, is lauding the move by Red Stripe to use cassava as a replacement for imported barley in the production of beer, noting that this has opened up opportunities for farmers. He said the initiative by Red Stripe is providing “a sure market” for the tuber. Minister Kellier was speaking on...

Chief Executive Officer of the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), Lenworth Fulton.

11 years ago Agriculture

New Trelawny RADA Offices Completed

Work has been completed on the new building to house the Trelawny parish offices of the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA). Chief Executive Officer of RADA, Lenworth Fulton, said once the utility services have been connected the building will be officially opened. “We have to wait for the connection of water … electricity…and we are now waiting on the connection...

11 years ago AgricultureBudget 2015/2016

Gov’t Budgets over $172 Million for Revitalisation Of Banana Industry

The Government has budgeted over $172 million for the revitalising of the banana industry in the 2015/16 fiscal year. Some 381 hectares of the fruit will be planted and support services provided to farmers by the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), under the Jamaica Accompanying Measures (JBAMS) project. The project, which commenced in September 2013, and is slated to run...

11 years ago AgricultureBudget 2015/2016

$56 Million Allocated to Small Ruminants Project

The livestock industry is slated to benefit from an allocation of some $56 million for the upgrading of two abattoirs, facilitate training in animal husbandry, and to increase the availability of breeding stock. The allocation, under the Diversification of the Caribbean Livestock through the Production of Small Ruminants project, has been made in the 2015/16 Estimates of Expenditure, now before...