The Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) is urging all small ruminant farmers to keep accurate and current records of their animals. This is necessary for the Authority to assist farmers to improve farm operations across the island. In a recent interview with JIS News, Livestock Specialist at RADA, Maxine Brown, said the Authority has created goat record-keeping books for farmers....

The Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) is reminding livestock owners to stock up on critical supplies for their animals during the rainy season. RADA’s Senior Plant Health and Food Safety Officer, Francine Webb Lawrence, says farmers should have a checklist for their livestock. “Ensure that you have stocked up at least a week’s supply of feed, medicine and water because,...

The Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) is reminding farmers to report damage to their property after natural hazards such as hurricanes. Earlier this year, heavy rains caused an estimated $63 million in crop damage in St. Elizabeth alone. An accurate evaluation of damage by storms, hurricanes, floods and periods of heavy rains is crucial to arranging relief efforts by the...

Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Hon. Floyd Green, says partnerships are key to addressing current issues and creating a sustainable agricultural future for the Caribbean. “How can we ensure that more of our small, older farmers have access to the water they need to move their agriculture enterprise forward? How can we ensure that they’re planning with the new...

Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Hon. Floyd Green, has been elected Chairman of the Western Central Atlantic Fishery Commission (WECAFC). He was elected during the staging of the 19th WECAFC session, held in Bridgetown, Barbados, from September 6 to 8. The Minister said Jamaica is honoured to be the Chair of WECAFC. “WECAFC continues to be essential in our...

Work on the Essex Valley Irrigation Infrastructure Development Programme is moving at an accelerated pace, according to Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Hon. Floyd Green. The programme aims to assist in Jamaica’s achievement of food security and modernising the agricultural sector by increasing the area in St. Elizabeth under formal irrigation by 50 per cent and the yield of...

Farmers are being encouraged to consider climate-smart agricultural practices, including the use of aquaponics, for their farms. This form of sustainable agriculture is akin to the use of greenhouses and drip irrigation for plants. Research and Outreach Coordinator at the College of Agriculture, Science and Education (CASE), Garth Scott, explained to JIS News in an interview, that aquaponics is an...

One hundred and seventy-two farmers from St. Ann, with the majority being women, have successfully graduated from a Farmer Field School training programme, spearheaded by the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA). The inaugural training initiative, which was supported by the HEART/NSTA Trust and the Jamaica Bauxite Management Limited (JBM), aimed to empower local farmers with essential skills and knowledge to...

Thirty-four communities in St. Elizabeth continue to benefit from the National Irrigation Commission (NIC)’s drainage of the upper and lower morass of the Black River. Drain maintenance works conducted by the NIC facilitates flood mitigation for several communities, including Siloah, Santa Cruz, New River, Holland, Slipe, Middle Quarters, Thorton, Maggotty and Lacovia. NIC Director for Engineering and Technical Services, Rohan...