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Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Dr. Christopher Tufton, has said that farm roads will not be neglected under the Jamaica Development Infrastructure Programme (JDIP). He said quality rural roads not only serve residents, but improve access to farms and markets thereby contributing to rural development and national food security. “We are not going to neglect the small communities because...

Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Dr. Christopher Tufton, has said that the government’s objective of developing a commercially viable and sustainable sugar cane sector was on target. Addressing a two-day regional seminar put on by the European Union’s Accompanying Measures for former Sugar Protocal Countries (AMSP) organization, at the Ritz Carlton Hotel, Montego Bay, Thursday (January 20), Dr. Tufton noted...

Marketing Consultant with the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), Derrick Deslandes has attributed the high supply of locally produced fresh vegetables to the successful production thrust by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries; the tenacity of local farmers; and good weather. Speaking at a JIS ‘Think Tank’ on January 13, Mr. Deslandes said that consumers should take advantage of the...

PORT ANTONIO — Radical Farms, which produces tomatoes for the local and exports markets, was officially opened on Wednesday (January 12) by Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Dr. Christopher Tufton. Operated by Ryan Chung, the farm, located on the outskirts of Port Maria in St. Mary, utilises greenhouse technology in the cultivation of the crop.  The facility has been...

The Ministry of Health, in association with the Bureau of Standards, advises that before consuming ackee, individuals must ensure that: the ackee is mature and fully opened; thoroughly cleaned by removing the seed and the pinkish/reddish membrane; washed properly and cooked before eating; dispose of the water and cook other foods such as salt fish, ground provisions and rice, separately....

The Government’s Agricultural Business Information System (ABIS) provided the information to the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries to identify the current oversupply of fresh vegetables in the market and raise an alert. Marketing Consultant with the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), Dr. Derrick Deslandes, speaking at a JIS Think Tank news briefing, recently, said that after technical crews went into...

The Government is moving swiftly to implement stricter penalties for persons who fish illegally in Jamaica’s waters. Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Dr. Christopher Tufton, speaking at his Hope Gardens headquarters earlier this week, said that the new Fisheries Act, which is currently being drafted, will address a range of issues governing interaction with marine resources. He said that...

With one month into the 2010/11 sugar crop season, Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Dr. Christopher Tufton, is optimistic that the production target of 150, 000 tonnes will be reached. The figure is 27,000 tonnes more than the 123,000 tonnes produced in 2009/10. Speaking at the official launch of the season at the Frome Estate in Westmoreland on January...

The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, through its Export Division, is undertaking a spice development programme, which will target a number of spice crops for expansion and export. "Jamaica has a reputation for quality spices and we are trying to develop a spice industry," said General Manager of the Export Division, Sylburn Thomas.He told JIS News that the initiative is...

Prime Minister, the Hon. Bruce Golding, says he is excited about the growth prospects for the sugar industry, noting that investors have been putting forward the necessary capital for the retooling of plants. He was speaking Wednesday December 15 at the official opening of National Rums of Jamaica Limited's state-of-the- art facilities at Clarendon Distillers Limited (CDL), located at Monymusk...

Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Dr. Christopher Tufton, yesterday (December 14) announced a $310.5 million emergency loan fund for coffee dealers, which will provide them with cash flow to meet capital requirements. Jointly funded by the Export/Import (EXIM) Bank and the Development Bank of Jamaica (DBJ) the loan, which will be offered through the Coffee Industry Board (CIB), has...

Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Dr. Christopher Tufton, has called on farmers to approach agriculture with clear management techniques as is done in other industries. "Agriculture is transforming, things are changing, and agriculture has to be demand- driven. Gone are the days when you grow and then hope that there is a market. We want you to become investors...