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The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries is pushing to expand the local sugar industry and bring back some 20,000 hectares of land into sugar cane production, over the next four years. Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Roger Clarke, made the announcement at a seminar on: ‘Revolutionising the Sugar Cane Industry through Drip Irrigation’, held in Kendal, Manchester, on July...

State Minister in the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Ian Hayles, says the government is seeking to increase the number of plots under the National School Garden Programme to 10 per parish. He informed that with the 2012/13 allocation of $6 million, "we intend to seek an additional $4 million” to put this plan into motion. Mr. Hayles made...

Minister of State in the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Ian Hayles, is imploring all Jamaicans to support the local agricultural sector by buying and eating Jamaican products. “I am appealing to all Jamaicans, rich and poor alike show how much you love Jamaica; show us your level of patriotism; show us brand loyalty and buy Jamaican," he urged....

Jamaicans will be in for a special treat with some additions to the usual fare of displays, exhibits and competitions at the Denbigh Agricultural, Industrial and Food Show this year. The show will be staged from August 4 to August 6, 2012, on the Denbigh Showground in May Pen, Clarendon. Addressing a Jamaica Information Service (JIS) ‘Think Tank’  on July...

Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Roger Clarke, says praedial larceny is having a multifaceted effect on the wellbeing of the country, and is proposing harsher penalties for praedial larcenists. He described them as a scourge on the land, in terms of their impact on agricultural production in the country. "They have made our farmers have sleepless nights. It (praedial...

The Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) Hanover office has stepped up its production of plant seedlings to meet the needs of the approximately 6,000 registered farmers in the parish. According to Western Zonal Director with RADA, Bernard Goffe, the aim is to maintain the consistent increase in domestic crop output recorded since 2006. Farmers produced 4,590 tons of food last...

The Government is moving towards the implementation of a merged structure between the Agricultural Credit Board and the Department of Co-operatives and Friendly Societies. This was announced by Minister of State for Industry, Investment and Commerce, Hon. Sharon Ffolkes-Abrahams on July 18, during her contribution to the 2012/13 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives. She noted that the move...

Longstanding Board member of the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS), Senator Norman Grant, has returned to the helm of the organisation. Senator Grant regained the Presidency via acclamation, having been the sole nominee for the position in the executive elections held Wednesday (July 11), during the JAS’ annual general meeting at the Denbigh showground in May Pen, Clarendon. He previously served...

Agriculture and Fisheries Minister, Hon. Roger Clarke, has urged the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS) to reposition itself, in order to better serve its members, and play a more leading role in advancing the local sector. Addressing the organisation's 117th annual general meeting at the Denbigh showground, May Pen, Clarendon, on July 11, Mr. Clarke called on the JAS to "rise...

Agriculture and Fisheries Minister, Hon. Roger Clarke, says there has been an overwhelming response by farmers to the Ministry’s multi-million ginger project, currently being implemented across the island. Speaking at the Jamaica Agricultural Society's (JAS) 117th annual general meeting, at the Denbigh showground in May Pen, Clarendon, on July 11, Mr. Clarke disclosed that the 150 acres of land, initially...

Agriculture and Fisheries Minister, Hon. Roger Clarke, says the government’s new tax package targeting imported food items will benefit the Jamaican farmer and the local agricultural sector. He made the comments against the background of Government’s decision to apply additional stamp duties on imported meats, fish, ham and bacon instead of taxing animal feeds, fresh fruits, vegetables, tubers, fish and...

Minister of State for Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Ian Hayles, is encouraging farmers in St. James to stick with banana production, noting that the sector offers significant potential for job creation and earnings. He made the appeal on June 28, as he addressed the Annual General Meeting of the All Island Banana Growers Association’s (AIBGA) St. James Area Council held...