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KINGSTON — Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Dr. Christopher Tufton says despite the challenges which the agricultural sector faced during the 2009/2010 period, the industry recovered well to demonstrate sustainable growth. “Jamaica's agricultural sector continues to move forward, with a continuation of the steady increases achieved over the last three years,” he said, while delivering the 2009/2010 annual review...

The Papaya Mealybug which was detected in the Caribbean in 1993, has been found in Jamaica. The pest was detected in September of last year and confirmed in October in several residential communities in St. Andrew. These areas are:- Mannings Hill Road, Hughenden, and Constant Spring. It is not yet clear how the pest got into the country. To date,...

The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries plans to develop a comprehensive programme for effective glut management and response. Portfolio Minister, Hon. Dr. Christopher Tufton, speaking at his Hope Gardens office in Kingston on January 25, said the initiatives are being developed to support the $50 million Glut Management Fund established last year.  “There are initiatives (such as) cold storage and...

Consumers in St. Ann are lauding the one day farmers’ market held on Friday (January 21) at the Rural Agricultural Development Authority’s (RADA) parish office in Claremont, calling for more such events to be held. Scores of residents supported the market, which was one of six organised by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries at various centres across the island,...

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...