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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...

KINGSTON — Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Robert Montague, says the Ministry will be reviewing the number of crops which are currently cultivated commercially in Jamaica. This, in a bid to reduce the number from 64, to between 15 and then 20 and, in the process, streamline the crops in which Jamaica is deemed to have competitive and comparative...

KINGSTON — The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries will shortly launch an islandwide, $50 million banana resuscitation programme, Minister Robert Montague has announced. Mr. Montague says the programme, to be undertaken in collaboration with the Development Bank of Jamaica (DBJ) and the People’s Cooperative (PC) Bank, is aimed at resuscitating some 300 acres of the fruit. Speaking at the eighth...

KINGSTON — Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Robert Montague, says the Ministry is in the process of reorganizing the farmers markets, which have been used as outlets for excess agricultural production. Speaking at the eighth anniversary of the Jamaica Agricultural Society's (JAS) ‘Eat Jamaican’ campaign, at the Denbigh Show Ground, May Pen, Clarendon, last Friday (November 25), Mr. Montague,...

KINGSTON — President of the Jamaica Exporters' Association (JEA), Vitus Evans, is lauding the measures by the Government to stabilize the economy, noting that they will serve to boost productivity and economic growth. "We welcome the reduction in interest rates, the stabilisation of the exchange rate and the firm grip on inflation," he stated at the organisation’s 45th Anniversary Annual...

KINGSTON — Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon Robert Montague, wants increased consumption of local produce to significantly reduce food importation. Speaking at the eighth anniversary of the Jamaica Agricultural Society’s (JAS) "Eat Jamaican" Day celebrations, at the Denbigh Show Grounds, May Pen, Clarendon, on Friday (November 25), Mr. Montague lamented that Jamaica’s food import bill averages US$806 million per...

KINGSTON — The Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS) has launched its first major in-store project to give momentum to the promotion, distribution and consumption of domestic agricultural production. The pilot project was unveiled at one of the larger Corporate Area supermarkets and outlets for fresh fruits, vegetables and ground provisions, Michi Super Centre, Thursday (November 24), to increase the accessibility of...

KINGSTON — Minister of Agriculture, Hon. Robert Montague, on November 22 signed six contracts valued at some $289 million to carry out works on two irrigation systems, which will enable a total of 687 farmers to increase their production. The irrigation systems are sited in Yallahs, St. Thomas, and New Forest/Duff House in Manchester. The contracts, for the supply and...