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The Government, on Tuesday received 1,000 bags of fertilizer from local manufacturer, Newport Fersan (Jamaica) Limited, in an effort to resuscitate the agricultural sector, following the passage of Hurricane Sandy. Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Roger Clarke, accepted the donation from the Newport Fersan’s Managing Director, Dennis Valdez at the company’s Wherry Wharf complex at Newport East, Kingston. In...

Jamaica is taking steps towards enhancing the resilience of its agriculture sector and coastal areas in an effort to protect the livelihood and food security of its people. The objectives will be achieved under the Jamaica Adaptation Fund Programme, which was formally launched on Friday by Minister of Water, Land, Environment and Climate Change, Hon. Robert Pickersgill, at the Knutsford...

Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Roger Clarke, says despite the expected downturn in the sugar industry, due to the passage of Hurricane Sandy, stakeholders must rely less on importation and increase production as a means of saving the sector. “We ought to be thinking about producing sugar for the export market, and to satisfying local demand. The price we...

Agriculture and Fisheries Minister, Hon. Roger Clarke, says the Cocoa Industry Board (CIB) has been instructed to divert a $15 million advance, previously received from the Ministry, for use in resuscitating the local cocoa industry, which was impacted by Hurricane Sandy. Speaking during the second Social Development Commission (SDC) Parish/Town Hall Meeting in May Pen, Clarendon, on October 31, Mr....

Minister of State for Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Ian Hayles, says here are no plans to increase imports of agricultural produce in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. He said that despite the estimated $2 billion in damage to the sector, adequate foodstuff will be available to meet the needs of consumers. “Let me make it quite clear, there will be...

The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries will be working to ensure that hurricane damage at the College of Agriculture, Science and Education (CASE) is addressed as soon as possible. Minister of State in the Ministry, Hon. Ian Hayles, made the commitment on Monday October 29, while addressing staff of the Portland-based institution, where he stopped, while on a tour of...

Minister of State for Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Ian Hayles, is advising all farmers, who have suffered losses as a result of the recent passing of Hurricane Sandy, to make a report to the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) by Friday (November 2), in order to be considered for assistance. “I am saying to all the farmers across the country,...

General Manager of the Banana Board, Janet Conie, said the agency will be working assiduously to facilitate the early recovery of farmers affected by the passage of Hurricane Sandy. Speaking to JIS News following a recent tour of banana farms in St. Mary, Mrs. Conie said the Board will be working very closely with the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries...

Thirty (30) tertiary level scholarships and three bursaries under the Jamaica 50 PetroCaribe Scholarship and Merit Awards programme will be presented by Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller in a special function on Friday (November 2). The 33 tertiary level awards form part of a 209 million dollar Jamaica 50 Scholarship initiative being funded by the PetroCaribe Development Fund. The scholarship...

State Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Ian Hayles, has said Hurricane Sandy has dealt a devastating blow to the country’s agricultural sector, with the latest estimates putting the cost of the damage at close to $2 billion. Mr. Hayles, who spoke to JIS News following a tour of several farms in Portland yesterday (October 29), said that close to...

The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries will be providing initial assistance of some $200 million to assist farmers, who were severely affected during the passage of Hurricane Sandy last week, in addition to fertiliser and other inputs to facilitate replanting. This was disclosed by Minister of State in the Ministry, Hon. Ian Hayles on Oct. 29, during a tour of...

Minister of State in the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Ian Hayles, says  early estimates indicate that close to 11,000 farmers across the island have been affected by Hurricane Sandy, with some 1,500 hectares of crops “totally destroyed.” “The level of devastation to the agricultural sector is going to take us a little time to get back on our...