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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...

KINGSTON — The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, is finalising a programme that could boost dairy production, through the increased use of fresh milk in the school feeding programme. Making the disclosure at a press conference on Wednesday (November 16), Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Robert Montague, said that the Ministry will...

KINGSTON — The operational capacities of three sugar estates, which the Government has divested to the China National Complete Plant Export Corporation (COMPLANT), have been significantly boosted by the acquisition of some US$15 million worth of machinery and vehicles. The equipment, which have been procured for Frome, Westmoreland; Monymusk, Clarendon; and Bernard Lodge, St. Catherine, include: tractors, trailer heads, and...

KINGSTON — With the start of the planting season for competitive crops, such as Irish potatoes and onions, the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries is rolling out a $500 million line of credit, through the Development Bank of Jamaica (DBJ), to support the farmers. The funds are being made accessible through the Peoples’ Cooperative (PC) banks, at an interest rate...

KINGSTON — The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries has unveiled a programme under which farmers will get critical inputs enabling them take full advantage of the crop planting season, as the Government seeks to empower them to engage in best practices to strengthen food security. Under the Growing Resources Obtaining Wealth (GROW) Project, the Ministry is providing for registered farming...

KINGSTON — Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Donovan Stanberry, says the Fisheries Division will become an executive agency within a year, thereby providing for improved management of the sector. "We are committed to the restructuring of the Fisheries Division and we are on course to convert it into an executive agency, fully resourced with equipment to...

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...