Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Roger Clarke, says the Government remains committed to increasing the production of local foods as it intensifies efforts to promote food security and safety in Jamaica. He noted that the local domestic production of staples such as yams, bananas, sweet potatoes, pumpkins, Irish potatoes, and tomatoes continues to increase incrementally, while the island is...

On Wednesday, October 16, Jamaica will join the rest of the world in celebrating World Food Day under the theme: ‘Healthy People Depend on Healthy Food Systems’. The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, in recognition of World Food Day 2013, will be staging a National Ceremony and Exhibition on the day at the Greater Portmore High School in St. Catherine....

President of the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS), Senator Norman Grant, has expressed his organisation’s support for the most recent measures being put in place, or proposed, to stamp out praedial larceny. Speaking at a post-Board meeting briefing at the Society’s downtown Kingston headquarters on October 9, Senator Grant said in addition to assigning a special squad to apprehend those who...

Some 26 retirees of spirit distillers, J. Wray and Nephew Limited, who have collectively given over 800 years of service to that entity, were recently honoured during a special luncheon hosted by the firm in Mandeville, Manchester. The retirees, all men, were recognized for service, ranging up to 50 years, which they gave at various levels and in several capacities...

Minister of Water, Land, Environment and Climate Change, Hon. Robert Pickersgill, says that 75,000 seedlings will be distributed by the Forestry Department this year for the replenishing of forests. This represents a 120 per cent increase over the 31,000 seedlings issued last year, and is aimed at garnering national support towards the care and sustainability of the environment. The Minister...

Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Roger Clarke, says that the Agro Parks project is going well with crops already reaped at the three facilities in operation and replanting underway. “At Plantain Garden (St. Thomas) we just finished reaping onions, and we are preparing now to put some more in. Pumpkins are now growing. Ebony Park (Clarendon), that one is...

As part of a national drive to encourage young people to get involved in  agriculture, the Government has set aside some 100 acres of  land  for young farmers at the Amity Hall Agro Park, in St. Catherine, while also seeking start-up financing for them. Chief Executive Officer at the Agro-Investment Corporation (AIC), Everton Spencer, told JIS News on October 3,...