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KINGSTON — Jamaica has not imported a number of vegetable crops, including lettuce, tomato, cabbage, carrots, and bell peppers, since the start of this year. Making the disclosure at a press conference on the domestic food crop sector for the first quarter of the year, on  May 2, Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Dr. Christopher Tufton pointed out that,...

KINGSTON — The Hounslow post-harvest and packaging facility in St. Elizabeth is to be opened by early June, says Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Dr. Christopher Tufton. He said that the 8,800-square foot plant, which will be operated by GraceKennedy Limited, will serve as a “buying house for agricultural produce, where value will be created through post-harvest management." “We...

KINGSTON — Local farmers are displaying their typical resilience, with recovery from Tropical Storm Nicole now estimated at some 85 per cent, as they increase production and repay the loans with which they were assisted to replant their crops and sustain their livelihood. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), Al Powell, explains that most farmers...

KINGSTON — Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Dr. Christopher Tufton has signalled the Ministry's intention to stage Farmers' Market once per month, as part of the overall thrust to increase and support domestic crop production. He assured that in promoting  the Farmers’ Market, the Ministry is not seeking to replace or compete with traditional markets. “However, we do feel...

MANDEVILLE — Marketing Consultant at the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), Dr. Derrick Deslandes, says support for the ‘Eat Jamaican’ campaign is growing, as many persons are turning out at the road shows across the island. Speaking with JIS News at the May Pen leg of the road show, which was held on April 29, Dr. Deslandes said the project...

KINGSTON — Domestic food crop production for the January to March quarter was the highest in 11 years, with some 147,378 tonnes produced, 24.4 per cent more than the corresponding quarter for 2010. This increased production propelled the agricultural sector to grow by 14 per cent overall for the quarter, when compared with the similar period last year. Minister of...

MANDEVILLE — Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Dr. Christopher Tufton says the agricultural sector is currently receiving more favourable attention from financial institutions. Speaking at an Arable lands Irrigated and Growing for the Nation (ALIGN) business meeting on April 27, at the St. Dorothy’s Anglican Church, in Church Pen, St. Catherine, the Minister said that while he is yet...

PORT ANTONIO — The Rural Agricultural Authority (RADA) is reporting that approximately $3.5 million in sales was generated from the fourth farmers' market held in Portland last week. RADA Marketing Officer for the parish, Erica Daley, told JIS News that 64 farmers from Portland, St. Mary, St. Catherine, Clarendon, St. Ann and St. Elizabeth participated in the market held at...

MANDEVILLE — Ground was broken for a $34 million post-harvest facility in Coleyville, Manchester, on April 27, by Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Dr. Christopher Tufton. The project will provide much needed post-harvest management for agricultural crops in and around the area. Addressing the ceremony, Dr. Tufton said the project will provide tremendous opportunities to small farmers in three...

MONTEGO BAY — The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries will be playing a more direct role in the staging of agricultural shows across the island, with a minimum $500,000 in sponsorship committed for each event. With approximately six major agricultural shows held across the island during the course of any one year, including the Denbigh Agricultural Show in Clarendon, the...

MONTEGO BAY — Preliminary figures show, more than 20 per cent increase in domestic crop production for the first quarter of 2011, over the similar period last year. Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Dr. Christopher Tufton, who made the announcement at the opening of the Montpelier Agricultural and Industrial Show yesterday April 25 in St. James, said that the...

MANDEVILLE — As part of ongoing efforts to cushion the effects of the temporary cessation in bauxite mining, mining company Alpart, and its community council is providing $3 million in agricultural assistance to farmers in St. Elizabeth. At the handing over ceremony held on April 18, at the Alpart Sport Club, in Nain, in the parish, the farmers received 450...