Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Roger Clarke, is reporting an 18 per cent growth in agriculture during the first quarter of this year, and a 13.1 per cent increase in the last quarter of 2013. Addressing the opening ceremony of the Montpelier Agricultural and Industrial Show, in St. James, on April 21, the Minister pointed to exceptional growth rates...

The Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) is stepping up its drive for farmers to register with the Agricultural Business Information System (ABIS) as it continues efforts to tackle praedial larceny. The Authority is reporting that there are currently over 167,278 registered farmers across Jamaica, and it has embarked on a campaign to get even more to get on board.​ Registration of farmers began in the late 1990s through ABIS, which is the official means...

Developments related to export markets for sugar in the post-2017 period are expected to be discussed during the 45th Annual International Sugar Organization (ISO) Council conference, scheduled for the Hilton Rose Hall Resort and Spa, in Montego Bay, St. James, from May 27 to 29. Agriculture and Fisheries Minister, Hon. Roger Clarke, who spoke at the conference’s media launch, on...

Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Roger Clarke, has again called for greater youth participation in agriculture, while reiterating Government’s commitment to facilitating entrepreneurial activities in the sector. “Given the youth’s willingness to adapt to new ideas, concepts and technology, it goes without saying that the future of agriculture in Jamaica resides with our young people,” the Minister said. He...

A total of $110 million has been allocated in the 2014/15 Estimates of Expenditure for the European Development Fund (EDF) Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) Capacity Building Project. The project aims to contribute to facilitating increased and more diversified exports of agricultural and agro-processed products to the European Union (EU) market. As of February 2014, equipment was procured for laboratories at...

The Government has allocated $3.1 million in the 2014/2015 Estimates of Expenditure for the Wind Powered Irrigation Feasibility Assessment Project. The Estimates of Expenditure are to be considered by the Standing Finance Committee of Parliament from April 8 to 10. The objectives of the project are to conduct a wind assessment in the Pedro Plains area of St. Elizabeth by...

An allocation of $30.6 million has been made in the 2014/15 budget, to upgrade several of the island’s abattoirs, under the Diversification of the Caribbean Livestock through the Production of Small Ruminants project. The project’s goal is to contribute to achieving self-sufficiency in regional meat consumption, initially through the development of the small ruminant industry; increase the availability of quality...