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State Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Ian Hayles, says the continued input of local industries will create the jobs necessary to further develop the country. He emphasised that a major focus of the new Government is the creation of jobs, and “it’s our local (companies) that are going to play that role in going forward." The State Minister was...

Agriculture and Fisheries Minister, Hon. Roger Clarke, said that stakeholders within the small ruminants industry have benefitted significantly from the recently concluded Food Facility Project for Jamaica. The two-year project, from June 2009 to November 2011, was undertaken by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) through €5.9 million in funding from the European Union (EU). Speaking at last week’s Jamaica...

Agriculture and Fisheries Minister, Hon. Roger Clarke, says the Government has received a US$15.1 million loan from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), to assist in financing the Agricultural Competitiveness Programme (ACP). Addressing the Christiana Potato Growers’ Co-operative Association’s annual general meeting  in Manchester, on February 16, Mr. Clarke said the ACP, to be implemented by the Ministry through the Agro-Investment...

The Coffee Industry Board (CIB), in collaboration with stakeholders (farmers, the  coffee growers association and coffee dealers),  has set up a Task Force  to aggressively fight the Coffee Berry Borer, which poses a serious threat to the industry. The Coffee Berry Borer is a microscopic beetle that invades the coffee berry in its early stage, eventually destroying the berry.   Speaking...

Agriculture and Fisheries Minister, Hon. Roger Clarke, has urged the country’s potato and goat farmers to produce more, in order to further reduce imports and the associated costs, and safeguard the nation’s food security. Speaking at the annual general meetings of the Christiana Potato Growers and Jamaica Goat Farmers Associations, in Manchester and St. Catherine, respectively, on February  16, Mr....

Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Roger Clarke, has said that the Research and Development Division must play a greater role in driving growth in the industry. Mr. Clarke was addressing staff of the Bodles Research Station on February 15, at the facility station’s location in Old Harbour, St. Catherine. He noted that research “isn’t something sexy,” and the work...

Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Roger Clarke, has informed that the Government has so far realised a total of $1.0304 billion from the privatisation of government owned sugar factories. Speaking  in the House of Representatives, today (February 14),  Mr. Clarke said the  St. Thomas Sugar Estate was sold for $67.067 million ($42.5 million for the factory and $24.56 million...

The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries will be expanding turmeric and ginger production as it seeks to expand the island's spice industry. Portfolio Minister, Hon. Roger Clarke, made the announcement on February 8 during a tour of the Ministry's Export Division on Marcus Garvey Drive in Kingston. "We will launch, in two weeks time, a project to put into production,...

Agriculture and Fisheries Minister, Hon. Roger Clarke, is calling for greater involvement of young people in agriculture. This comes against the background of what he says are “worsening” global food insecurity challenges being experienced by many countries, which is compounded by the economic crisis. Speaking at the handing over of a refurbished poultry abattoir at the Garvey Maceo High School,...

The Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS) has moved to facilitate greater dialogue among the sector’s stakeholders, by establishing its Chamber. This is expected to facilitate the hosting of regular fora among sector interests, thereby accommodating an exchange of ideas and views on the industry’s development. The Chamber is a forum which will seek to highlight challenges in the sector and provide...

The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries is intensifying its fight against lethal yellowing disease, as it seeks to protect and preserve the coconut industry, which earned $1 billion last year. The Ministry is working with Mexico and Brazil to find solutions, but in the meantime, has rolled out the “Black” approach, which is aimed at replacing infected trees, with healthy...

Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Roger Clarke, has announced that the Ministry will collaborate with the Scientific Research Council (SRC) to implement a Rural Youth Employment Project. The project, to be undertaken initially as a pilot, will get underway within a month. Speaking at the handing over of a refurbished poultry abattoir at the Garvey Maceo High School in...