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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...

The Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) parish office in Lucea, Hanover,  has received a new Mazda 4x4 pick-up truck, valued at $2.2 million,  to be used in its farming activities in the parish. Minister of State in the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Ian Hayles, handed over the keys to the RADA acting Parish Manager, Ransford Barnes, at a...

Jamaica’s banana industry is to benefit from a €180,000 ($20 million) grant under the European Union Banana Support Programme (EUBSP), which will be used to effect institutional strengthening within the sector. This commitment was formalised at a contract signing at the All Island Banana Growers Association’s (AIBGA) South Avenue offices in Kingston on Wednesday May 2, 2012 involving AIBGA Chairperson,...

Agriculture and Fisheries Minister, Hon. Roger Clarke, has endorsed the annual pan-jerked chicken competition, staged by the Caribbean Broilers Group of Companies, describing it as an example of the government’s emphasis on entrepreneurship and producing and eating more local foods. Speaking at the launch of the 2012 tournament on May 1 at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, New Kingston, Mr. Clarke...