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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...

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...