Some 1,000 vulnerable subsistence farmers, who were most severely affected by the passage of Hurricane Sandy last year, will receive much-needed assistance, which will provide them with food security and a means of resuscitating their income. The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, on Monday, May 27, signed an agreement to provide $30 million in grant funding to 50 farmers in...

The Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS) and telecommunications giant, Digicel, on Monday, May 20, signed a $30 million contract to provide support for the Denbigh Agricultural Industrial and Food Show over the next three years. Speaking at the signing event held at Digicel’s downtown Kingston headquarters, JAS President, Senator Norman Grant, commended the company on the partnership, which started 12 years...

The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries is to partner with the University of Technology (UTech), to explore measures that can be implemented to effectively reduce the incidence of praedial larceny in the agricultural sector. Speaking at the St. Andrew Rotary Club’s weekly luncheon, held at the Four Seasons Hotel, on May 14, Portfolio Minister, Hon. Roger Clarke, said UTech has...

The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries is to receive assistance from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University in the United States, to develop the research capacity of the local agricultural sector. Portfolio Minister, Hon. Roger Clarke, who made the disclosure on May 14, informed that a delegation from the university, located in Tallahassee, is currently in the island meeting several stakeholders...

Several statutes, which have not been adhered to over the years, will be put into force as the Agriculture and Fisheries Ministry continues its drive to crack down on farm thieves. This includes a permit system for the slaughter of animals and stipulations as to when a person can carry out such activities. This was announced at a post-Sectoral Debate...

The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, on Thursday, May 9, signed an agreement with Caribbean Broilers to immediately put 800 acres of land into sorghum production, at Amity Hall in St. Catherine. Planting began on Thursday under the project, which is among the first initiatives being undertaken in the establishment of the Ministry’s flagship Agro Parks concept. Speaking at the...

The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries will be stepping up inspections at retail outlets, as it strengthens tracking systems to bolster the fight against praedial larceny/farm theft. “This year we are moving to put greater emphasis on monitoring end-users…we are not convinced that the thieves can dispose of stolen goods, particularly livestock, without the collaboration of large buyers/distributors,” Minister of...