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Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Derrick Kellier, said that training programmes have been put in place to raise awareness about health and safety issues among workers participating in the Overseas Employment Programme. The move comes in the wake of the deaths of two farm workers from a job-related accident in Ontario, Canada in September 2010. The Labour Minister,...

Minister of State for Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Ian Hayles, is encouraging more young people to get involved in agriculture, stating that this is critical for the sustainability of the sector. “Agriculture is important to the development of any nation, therefore it is important that you get involved and get involved now,” he told students of the Maggotty High School...

Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Roger Clarke, says ensuring that exporters meet the requirements of the Food Safety Modernization Act will be one of his immediate priorities. Speaking with JIS News, Mr. Clarke said with United States (US) authorities expected to carry out inspections next month; focus will be placed on all areas dealing with the export of agricultural...

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Reginald Budhan, says the food safety certification course being offered by the University of the West Indies (UWI) is vital to the country meeting international requirements, particularly United States (US) regulations. "The US constitutes one of our most important export markets. This training programme is particularly critical to us at...

KINGSTON — Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Robert Montague, says the future for the cocoa industry remains bright, based on initiatives being undertaken by the Government and the high level of interest from overseas processors in the local brand. “We are the finest flavour in the world and we have been having many enquiries from around the world from...

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Donovan Stanberry, says that the six-month project undertaken by the Ministry, to eradicate the American Foulbrood Disease (AFB), has put bee-keepers in a position to effectively manage the disease and move the industry forward. He was speaking yesterday (Dec. 20) at the Bodles Agricultural Research Station in St. Catherine, where some...

KINGSTON — Residents of Waterford, Portmore, St. Catherine, should begin to see a reduction of their mosquito nuisance over the next few weeks, as a biological control programme progresses. As part of the experimental phase of this programme, some three to four thousand  Gambusia specie of the mosquito eating fish, known locally as the ‘Tiki Tiki’, were deployed in a...

KINGSTON — The Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) is looking to partner with private interests to increase the number of farmers’ markets being held across the island. The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries-instituted markets, held since January, were postponed during the months of July and August to allow parishes to be totally involved in preparations for the annual Denbigh Agricultural...

KINGSTON — To ensure the sustainability and efficiency of the small ruminants industry, 14 Artificial Insemination (AI) technicians have been trained under the just concluded €5.8 million European Union Food Facility (EUFF) project. The technicians were presented with Certificates of Competence, as well as AI kits, during the closing ceremony on the lawns of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries,...

KINGSTON — Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Robert Montague, has called for comprehensive research on traditional herbs Jamaicans have been using for medicinal purposes for local use. Speaking at a workshop on roots and tubers, fruits and spices, Thursday (December 1) at the Caymanas Golf and Country Club, St. Catherine, the Minister pointed out that herbs have been part...

KINGSTON — Head of the Economic and Social Development Division of the European Union (EU), Helen Jenkinson, has encouraged beneficiaries of the recently concluded € 5.8 million EU Food Facility (EUFF) to build on its successes. Speaking at the project’s closing ceremony at the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hope Gardens, Kingston on Wednesday (November 30), Ms. Jenkinson lauded farmers...

KINGSTON — Prime Minister, Hon. Andrew Holness, is forecasting that the agricultural sector will see continued growth as a result of the "careful plans" that are being implemented by the Government. He said the plans, which include enhancing extension services to farmers, providing fertilizer and other inputs, and bringing technology to the sector, including greenhouses, have brought four consecutive years...