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KINGSTON — Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Robert Montague, is confident that the country can achieve self-sufficiency in beef production. He stated that Government’s plan to significantly boost production of beef to meet 60 to 65 per cent of local consumption needs by 2020 is achievable. Minister Montague was addressing a National Consultation on Jamaica's Livestock Sector held yesterday...

KINGSTON — Approval has been granted by the National Irrigation Commission (NIC) Board of Directors for the expenditure of $1.5 million, to upgrade three abandoned community catchment systems  in the parish of St. Elizabeth. The systems are located in  Southfield, Lititz and White Hill, all known for their agricultural production. This was announced by Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon....

MONTEGO BAY — Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Robert Montague, says the Government is committed to ensuring the survival of the livestock industry, noting that several strategies are being implemented in collaboration with state and private agencies. "We are confident that the livestock industry will survive. We are confident that with the policies of the Government and the investments...

KINGSTON — Minister with responsibility for Information and the Public Service, Senator Hon. Arthur Williams, says no restriction has been placed on food processors exporting to the United States. In a response to a release published on Tuesday claiming that temporary bans have been imposed on food processors, Mr. Williams said the Bureau of Standards Jamaica has informed him that...

MONTEGO BAY — The Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) office in Montego Bay, St. James, is moving to increase vegetable production in the parish, through the implementation of a state-of the art Greenhouse to produce vegetable seedlings. The project has come about with assistance from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). The Greenhouse is valued at approximately $1 .5 million...

KINGSTON — Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Robert Montague, says he is working to have the Bodles Research Station in St. Catherine, renamed in honour of the late Jamaican scientist, Dr. T.P. Lecky. Speaking at the institution’s 2011 Open Day on Tuesday (November 8), the Minister argued that the work of the renowned scientist has benefited the country and...

KINGSTON — In an effort to boost production and productivity, as well as increase investment in the sugar cane industry, the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries is proposing to inject some $1.7 billion into the Cane Expansion Fund by 2014. Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Robert Montague, made the point as he addressed the 75th Annual Conference of the...

KINGSTON — The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries presented machinery valued at US$300,000 to the Jamaica Rice Producers Association (JARPA) on November 3 as part of efforts by the Government to re-develop the local rice industry. Portfolio Minister, Hon. Robert Montague, handed over the equipment to the rice producers, which consists of two rice combine harvesters, during a brief ceremony...

KINGSTON — Agriculture and Fisheries Minister, Hon. Robert Montague has announced a 23% price increase in the price of cocoa to farmers. The farmers will now be paid J$ 2,000 as total payment per box of wet cocoa for the October/2011 to September 2012 crop from J$1, 620.00 last year. The increase was approved at a recent Board of Director's...

MONTEGO BAY — With nine parishes inspected to date, the Apiculture Unit in the Ministry of Agriculture is reporting that less than two per cent of bee hives are infected with the American Foulbrood Disease (AFB). Head of the Unit and Chief Plant Protection Officer, Reginald Peddy, told JIS News that the intent is to bring the infection rate for...

KINGSTON — The Caribbean Export Development Agency (Caribbean Export) has launched a special assistance programme to provide grant support to firms exporting food products to the United States (US). This new facility is in line with the agency's efforts to ensure that firms within Jamaica and the wider Caribbean region are able to meet the requirements of the US Food...

Upgrading the island's infrastructure, in particular the seaports, has been one of the major objectives of the Ministry of Transport and Works, led by Minister, Hon. Mike Henry. This is being done in order to capitalise on the island’s strategic geographical location in relation to other countries in the western hemisphere, says Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Dr. Alwin Hales,...