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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...

Some 40 small farmers in St. Thomas and St. Mary, who previously cultivated banana, are to benefit from support under the Economic Diversification Programme for Banana Producing Parishes. The European Union (EU) is providing funding for the programme, through its Banana Support Programme, which seeks to provide alternative income-generating opportunities for banana farmers, who have been displaced due to hurricane...

The training programme of the 4-H Movement in Hanover is to be strengthened, as the Minister of State in the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Ian Hayles, has committed $250,000 from the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), to help the organisation. Mr. Hayles gave the commitment while addressing the Annual General Meeting  of the Hanover 4-H Clubs, held at the...

The training programme of the 4-H Movement in  Hanover is to be strengthened, as the Minister of State in the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Ian Hayles, has committed $250,000 from the  Constituency Development Fund (CDF), to help the organisation. Mr. Hayles  gave the commitment while addressing the Annual General Meeting  of the Hanover 4-H Clubs, held at the...

Agriculture and Fisheries Minister, Hon. Roger Clarke, says the Hope Estate in St. Andrew, site of the Hope Botanical Gardens and Zoo, in St. Andrew, is currently being operated by the Nature Preservation Foundation (NPF) Limited, under 49-year lease agreement from the Government. Responding to questions posed by Opposition Spokesperson on Agriculture, J.C. Hutchinson, during Wednesday’s (June 20) sitting of...