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The agricultural sector has been given a $1.2 billion boost through a loan from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), which is to be used to fund the five-year Agricultural Competitiveness Programme. This loan agreement was signed on November 25, at the Ministry of Finance and the Public Sector, National Heroes Circle, between Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Hon....

The local citrus industry has received some much-needed assistance from the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) to tackle citrus greening disease, which has been severely impacting the island over the past two years. Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Dr. Christopher Tufton and FAO representative for Jamaica, Bahamas and Belize, Dr. Jerome Thomas, this morning (November 16) signed a US$480,000...

The Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) is playing its part to help farmers in Hanover, who have been affected by recent flood rains. "We have already issued some chickens and feed, seeds and some seedlings to farmers," Acting Parish Manager for RADA, in Hanover, Audley Bailey told the monthly meeting of the Hanover Parish Council, on November 11. Mr. Bailey...

Despite dense clouds and intermittent rainfall, hundreds of patrons flocked the Minard Estate in Brown's Town, St. Ann on Thursday (November 11) to support the 13th staging of the Minard Livestock Show and Beef Festival. The event, hosted by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries and the Agro Investment Corporation, was held under the theme, "Partnering in Livestock Production". "The...

Ground was broken Wednesday (November 10) for a $36 Million rehabilitation of the Rocky Point Fishing Beach, Clarendon, funded by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries and the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony, Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Dr. Christopher Tufton, said the work at the facility is in response to what the Government has...

Plans are in high gear for the 13th staging of the Minard Livestock Show and Beef Festival, which will be held on Thursday, November 11, at the Minard Estate in Brown's Town, St. Ann. The annual event will be hosted by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries in collaboration with the Agro Investment Corporation, under the theme, 'Partnering in Livestock...

Brand Jamaica was once again on display, as a wide selection of local foods were well represented by several companies at the recently held Grocery Innovations Canada (GIC) 2010 trade show in Toronto. The Jamaican booth, coordinated by JAMPRO featured delectable items from baked goods, tea and coffee, to sauces and spices. JAMPRO's Vice-President for Trade and Business Development, Ms....

The National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) is now on the ground investigating reports of a crocodile population in Great Pond, St Elizabeth which is allegedly hunting domestic animals. NEPA has also received reports that members of the community are catching and restraining the crocodiles. This is a dangerous practice and community members are encouraged to allow the NEPA officers...

Agriculture and Fisheries Minister, Honourable Dr. Christopher Tufton has called on veterinary professionals to continually work towards improving animal health and welfare by way of available tools, such as advocacy, scientific research and lobbying to enact appropriate legislation. "It is the responsibility of humans to ensure animal welfare and include steps to achieve proper housing, nutrition, disease prevention, humane and...

Wood packaging material coming into Jamaica must bear the mark of compliance with the International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures No. 15 (ISPM 15), signifying that they have been treated for pests, as of next January. Chief Plant Quarantine Produce Inspector in the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Sheila Harvey, told the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce's Ninth Annual Customs seminar, at...

Chief Technical Director in the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Dr. Marc Panton, says proper on-farm water management continues to be a critical component for reducing production costs and improving crop yields. Speaking at an International Project Management Day function, at the Knutsford Court Hotel in New Kingston, on October 4, Dr. Panton stressed that water was a crucial commodity...

Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Dr. Christopher Tufton, has called on the Jamaica 4-H Clubs to tap into the talents and skills of its members to create sustainable business ventures. The Minister, who was addressing the annual general meeting of the clubs' Island Advisory Council held on October 30 at the St. Matthews Anglican Church in Santa Cruz, St....