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The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has completed work on a draft Swine Sector Review for Jamaica's pig industry. This review forms part of an undertaking by the FAO in four Caribbean countries, under the organisation's Regional Swine Influenza Project, through which requests for the document's preparation were made. The other countries in which similar reviews were drafted are: Barbados,...

Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Representative to Jamaica, Bahamas and Belize, Dr. Jerome Thomas, says strategic systematic and sustained responses are needed to address the challenges threatening the food and nutrition security of Caribbean countries. Dr. Thomas argued that "there is every reason to believe" that the Caribbean region’s food and nutrition security status has been negatively affected by factors,...

With the restructuring of Jamaica's sugar industry now moving full speed ahead, there are some social consequences, one of which is the need for resettlement of  persons who were living in estate barracks. With this in mind, the Government has made provisions in the 2012/2013 financial year, for the resettlement of some 876 residents of sugar estates across the country...

Agriculture and Fisheries Minister, Hon. Roger Clarke, says the Ministry is currently conducting research on cassava, aimed at using the tuber as a partial substitute in the production of animal feeds. Speaking at the  Jamaica Pig Farmers Association (JPFA) annual general meeting at the Golf View Hotel in Mandeville, on September 27, Mr. Clarke informed that scientists at the Ministry's...

Two contracts valued at $41. 2 million for the construction of housing solutions for sugar workers in  Westmoreland, were signed by Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Roger Clarke, in Savanna-la-mar, on  September 28. Ground was also broken for the commencement of infrastructure works for both contracts, immediately following the signing. Managing Director of Share-Con Limited, Clive Sterling, signed on...

Stakeholders in the international processed food industry will converge in Jamaica next month for the 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 co-hosted by the United States of America (USA). This is the first time that a small...

The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries is moving to further enhance production in nine key crops and sectors, as part of short term efforts to counter the challenges associated with rising global food prices that could have serious implications for Jamaica. Portfolio Minister, Hon. Roger Clarke, says the crops and sectors identified include: Irish potato, onion, yam, honey, small ruminants,...

Ten families, formerly residents of the Causeway Fishing Village in Portmore, St. Catherine, have been presented with titles to their new properties in Portmore Villa by State Minister for Transport, Works and Housing, Hon. Richard Azan. The titles were handed over during a ceremony held at the Ministry’s offices in Kingston, on September 24. A total of 16 families who...

The Jamaica Emergency Employment Programme (JEEP), since its launch  in March this year, has provided more than 15,000 previously jobless Jamaicans with employment opportunities, and impacted various sectors of the economy. Agriculture is among the areas benefitting from the programme, which is now in its second phase, and is designed as a major plank of the Government's thrust to stimulate...

The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries is partnering with authorities in the United States of America (USA) to implement the 'Traveller's Don't Pack a Pest' programme in Jamaica. The initiative, which will be launched next month, involves collaboration with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services' Division of Plant Industry (FDACS); the United States Department of Agriculture - Animal...

The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, will over the next three years, be investing some US$8 million in the development of eight agro parks in six parishes across the island. These are: St. Thomas, St. Catherine, Clarendon, Manchester, St. Elizabeth and Trelawny. Portfolio Minister, Hon. Roger Clarke, in a statement in the House of Representatives on Tuesday (September 18), said...

The Government will be launching the country's National Food and Nutrition Security Policy in October. This was disclosed by Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Roger Clarke, during a statement to the House of Representatives on September 18. The Minister explained that the policy, which will be launched by Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller, aims to provide...