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KINGSTON — The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries has finalised arrangements for farmers to access low-cost loans for the production of Irish potatoes and onions. Portfolio Minister, Hon. Robert Montague, who announced the initiative as he opened the 2011 Denbigh Agricultural Show on July 30, informed that the Development Bank of Jamaica (DBJ) and the People’s Cooperative (PC) Bank have...

KINGSTON — Three fishing beaches, rehabilitated under the Improving Jamaica’s Agricultural Productivity (IJAP) programme, were officially handed over to the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries by the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) on October 7, 2011. Renovated at a cost of $81 million, the Old Harbour Bay, Savanna-la-Mar, and Rocky Point fishing beaches located in St. Catherine, Westmoreland,...

KINGSTON — The pig/pork industry is set to benefit from a US$93,000 ($8.4 million)  value chain analysis of the industry, which will be carried out by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, and the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF). The six-month comprehensive study is aimed at underpinning the development of the industry. Agreement for the initiative was signed by Minister...

KINGSTON — The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries is implementing a number of strategies to narrow the gap between fish imports and exports, as it seeks to improve the sustainability of the industry. Noting that over 28,000 metric tonnes of fish, valued at $7.8 billion,  are imported annually, Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Robert Montague, noted that the plan...

KINGSTON — Several eager young men and women from the eastern St. Andrew communities of Kintyre and Highlight View (Mud Town), were on Friday (September 30) presented with ornamental fish farming systems to start their own businesses. The project will enable 14 individuals to empower themselves, through employment in the thriving field of ornamental fish farming. Speaking at the launch...

KINGSTON — The Government is looking to improve the supply of irrigation water to farmers in Yallahs, St. Thomas to boost agricultural production in the parish. Cabinet has approved a $47 million contract to Bacchus Engineering Works Limited for the installation of pipes and fittings and ancillary works for the Eastern Yallahs Irrigation System, Phase 1. Speaking on September 29...

KINGSTON — The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries has spent approximately $15 million to acquire state-of-the-art equipment and to renovate the country's laboratory facilities and infrastructure, Portfolio Minister, Hon. Robert Montague, has informed. This, he says, is to ensure the quality and safety of Jamaica's agricultural products, so as to enhance access to markets, particularly overseas. Speaking at a food...

Agriculture and Fisheries Minister, Hon. Robert Montague, said that Jamaica has the capacity to produce adequate numbers of livestock, competitively and comparatively, to supply meat for the local and export markets. This, he contended, however, is contingent on the collaborative efforts of all sector stakeholders in harmonising activities, particularly relating to animal health and disease surveillance, food safety, and veterinary...

KINGSTON — Agriculture and Fisheries Minister, Hon. Robert Montague, is urging public health officers to ensure that meat inspections are done at the location where the animals are slaughtered. Additionally, he wants the officers to make sure that butchers are registered with the local health Board, and are in possession of a log book, as stipulated by the regulations governing...

KINGSTON — Effective January 1, 2012, agri-processors requesting waivers from the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, must get their applications certified by the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA).   The move, portfolio Minister, Hon. Robert Montague explained, is to ensure that the processors are not indebted to farmers or other suppliers, outside of their regular credit arrangements. Speaking at a...

KINGSTON — Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Robert Montague, says Cabinet will soon deliberate over the drafting of a Food Safety Act, to set safety standards for imported foods. Mr. Montague said this is necessary as, “the protection of our Jamaican people is of paramount importance to the Government of Jamaica”. He was speaking at a food safety workshop...

KINGSTON — Cabinet has approved a $90.7 million contract to Marksman Limited for the provision of security services for Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries and its facilities across the island. Speaking on September 21 post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House, Minister with responsibility for Information, Telecommunications and Special Projects, Hon. Daryl Vaz, said that the contract period is for two...