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The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries is reporting an estimated $700 million in damage to the sector from Hurricane Sandy, which impacted the island on October 24.                 Portfolio Minister, Hon. Roger Clarke, says a preliminary assessment is indicating that some areas, particularly banana and farm roads, suffered considerable damage. “The estimates coming out of 11 parishes indicate that we have...

Travellers, who take uncertified plants, animals or food into the country, are placing agriculture and public health at risk, as these items could contain harmful pests and diseases. This is the word from Chief Technical Director in the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Dr. Marc Panton, as he addressed the Kingston launch of the ‘Don’t Pack a Pest’ public awareness...

The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries on October 17, 2012 officially launched  the ‘Don’t Pack a Pest’ public awareness initiative at the Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay and at the Falmouth Cruise Ship Pier in Trelawny. The programme is a collaborative effort between Jamaica and the United States, through the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Division of...

MONTEGO BAY - State Minister for Industry, Investment, and Commerce, Hon. Sharon Ffolkes-Abrahams, has underscored the need for local food processors to maintain high standards in their operations, in order to ensure consumer safety, and enhance Jamaica's competitive edge in the global marketplace. "The maintenance of high standards, with respect to (the) quality (of food) and consumer safety and protection,...

The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries will be enhancing extension support to farmers, by increasing the time officers spend out in the field. “I want to see the extension officers out there in the field, working with the farmers on a daily and continuing basis,” said portfolio Minister, Hon. Roger Clarke. He was addressing the graduation ceremony for over 30...

The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, is increasing its appeal for Jamaicans to support the country’s farmers through the consumption of more local produce.  During a tour of farming communities in St. James yesterday (Oct.11), State Minister in the Ministry, Hon. Ian Hayles, also called on importers to be patriotic and buy local where it is available. “It cannot be...

Agriculture and Fisheries Minister, Hon. Roger Clarke, has emphasised the need to position agriculture as the main driver which will assist in piloting Jamaica out of its current economic challenges. Highlighting the country's almost US$1 billion food import bill, which he describes as "unsustainable," the Minister said this and other economic hurdles need to be substantially addressed through agriculture. Speaking...

Agriculture and Fisheries Minister, Hon. Roger Clarke, says Jamaica must always strive towards achieving food security and to cut down on its food import bill. "When one recognises the problems we have been facing with food security, and just recently, we had these problems with grain (shortage), it is telling us that we cannot rest on our laurels. We have...

Local manufacturers will get an opportunity to participate in the development of standards for value-added agricultural products and further expand their markets in terms of agro-processing and food exportation, at the upcoming 26th session of the Codex Committee on Processed Fruits and Vegetables (CCPFV). The meeting, scheduled for the Hilton Rose Hall Hotel, Montego Bay, from October 15-19, is being...

Agriculture and Fisheries Minister, Hon. Roger Clarke, has underscored the need for the zoning of arable lands, to ensure they are utilised for cultivation and other agricultural purposes. Speaking at Wednesday's (October  3) final African, Pacific and Caribbean (ACP) Fish II Programme validation workshop, organised by the Ministry and the Belize–based ACP Regional Co-ordinating Unit, at the Farmers' Training Centre,...

An Aquaculture Development Plan is to be implemented this year, with assistance from the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO). Agriculture and Fisheries Minister, Hon. Roger Clarke, says some $22 million will be allocated from the Fisheries Management Development Fund (FMDF), to carry out the exercise. The Minister was addressing an African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Fish II Programme validation workshop,...

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is moving to assist local pig farmers in generating bio-energy from their operations, which could boost their income and benefit the renewable energy sector. FAO Sub-Regional Livestock Development Officer for the Caribbean, Dr. Cedric Lazarus, said the organisation is making arrangements to facilitate a visit to Jamaica by German bio-energy expert Professor Jens Born...