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The ability of the agricultural sector to effectively compete will be greatly enhanced this fiscal year, with an allocation of $289 million to the Agricultural Competitiveness Programme. As contained in the 2012/13 Estimates of Expenditure, now before the House of Representatives, the allocation will provide for the undertaking of research in export practices/constraints for non-traditional products in the United States,...

The capacity of the coffee industry should improve this fiscal year with a $16 million allocation to the Competitive Coffee Enterprises Programme in the 2012/13 Estimates of Expenditure, now before the House of Representatives. The project, which began in September 2010, aims to provide capacity building of coffee cooperataives in the central and northern regions of Jamaica; improve the competitiveness...

Approximately 240 Irish potato and onion farmers are to benefit from a sum of $250 million which will be on-lent through the National People’s Co-operative Bank of Jamaica Limited (NPCB) network. The sum is part of the $458 million allotment in the 2012/13 Estimates of Expenditure to assist farmers under the Agricultural Support Project, being funded by the Caribbean Development...

The Input Supplies Project (ALBA Food Initiative) has been allotted $49 million in the 2012/13 Estimates of Expenditure, now before the House of Representatives. The project aims to improve production and productivity in the agricultural sector through the provision of critical inputs, such as high quality seeds and other planting material, fertilizer, farm tools and small machinery. It is being...

The sugar industry should be significantly enhanced with a $1.9 billion allocation for this sector in the 2012/13 Estimates of Expenditure, currently before the House of Representatives. Of the sum, $1.8 billion will go towards carrying out the activities of the Sugar Transformation Unit, which include compensation of employees, grants and contributions, and rental of property, machinery and equipment; while...

In keeping with the Government’s drive to promote sustainable development in the traditional banana growing areas of Jamaica, the Banana Support Project has received  an allotment of  $220 million in the 2012/13 Estimates of Expenditure, now before the House of Representatives. The project, which is being implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, through funding from the European Union,...

Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Roger Clarke, got a first hand view of Jamaica Blue Mountain beans being roasted, grounded and brewed in Atlanta, Georgia, on May 11, when he toured Blue Mountain Inc. The Minister, along with  Senator Norman Grant  and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Donovan Stanberry,  also tasted the brew, with  Mr. Grant, one of the...

Farmers in the coffee industry are to benefit from fertiliser acquired by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries at a cost of $20 million to improve crop productivity. The nearly 12,000 bags of fertiliser, procured from local manufacturer, Newport Fersan (Jamaica) Limited, were presented to portfolio Minister, Roger Clarke, on May 8, at the company's Wherry Wharf complex at Newport...

The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries will be seeking to establish permanent wholesale farmers' markets at strategic locations across the country. This was disclosed by Portfolio Minister, Hon. Roger Clarke, at the launch of the Kingston and St. Andrew Association of Branch Societies/Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS) annual Agricultural and Industrial Show, ‘Agrofest’, at the JAS, Church Street offices, on May...

An agency agreement has been signed between the Sugar Industry Authority (SIA) and COMPLANT/Pan Caribbean Sugar Company Limited, to sustain the viability of the sugar industry. The agreement gives Pan Caribbean the right to market its own sugar, under the provisions of the Sugar Industry Control Act. Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Roger Clarke, explained that for the next...

Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Roger Clarke, is calling on cane farmers to significantly increase the number of hectares under production, so as to boost sugar output and increase earnings from the sector. The Minister, who was speaking at a public awareness seminar for industry stakeholders held on May 2 at the Golf View Hotel in Manchester, said the...

Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Roger Clarke, says banana exporters must look to tap into non-traditional overseas markets. This, he said, is critical for the country to resume export of the crop in the significant volumes it did, in earlier years. Speaking at the signing of a $20 million (€180,000) grant funding contract to benefit the sector on May...