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Jamaica is looking to identify new consumer markets in China, United States, Canada, Europe, and South Korea, as it seeks to stimulate demand for its coffee, which is rated among the world's finest. Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Dr. Christopher Tufton, addresses a coffee farmers' forum in Balcarres, Portland on Wednesday, July 21. The forum was held to address...

Cocoa Farmers in St. Mary are happy with the Cocoa Sector Revitalisation Project, which was officially launched in the parish on Wednesday (July 21). The two-year project, a partnership between the European Union (EU), the Cocoa Industry Board and the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, costs $71 million. "I think this is a good project, because it is geared towards...

Following its conversion into an Executive Agency on May 1 this year, the Forestry Department within the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries is now being transformed into a more efficient entity. Even though it remains a part of Central Government, the agency now has more responsibility for its own management and performance, and as such, can be classified as a...

Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Dr. Christopher Tufton, launched the anticipated fish wire project, which imposes a new minimum size for the mesh wire used in fish pots, on Friday July 23. The new minimum size of one and a half inch mesh wire, replaces the one and a quarter inch mesh wire being used in the construction of...

Two agricultural projects, valued at a total cost of $125 million, were officially launched in St. Mary on July 21, will provide support for displaced banana farmers and revitalise the cocoa industry. The initiatives: Project CARE - Catapulting Agriculture into Rural Enterprise, and the Cocoa Sector Revitalisation Project, are funded by the European Union (EU) Banana Support Programme. Speaking at...

The long whispered rebirth of Jamaica's bauxite/alumina sector became evident on July 22, as the Ewarton Alumina Refinery in St. Catherine was officially reopened. The plant is expected to start up with the proapproximately 321,000 tonnes, of its total capacity of approximately 625,000 tonnes of alumina, this year. It will employ 629 workers, raising employment hopes at Rusal's WINDALCO and...

The Forestry Department on Monday (July 19) officially opened its new training facility, which will be used to train staff in both forestry and customer service standards. The facility will also aid in the development of forestry reserves, both locally and regionally, through the provision of critical information gained from ongoing research activities. Speaking at the official opening and dedication...

President of the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS), Councillor Glendon Harris, has said that the farmers' group must become engaged in a process of renewal, in order to empower its members. "To contribute greatly to improving the standard of living of their families, their communities and the entire nation, each branch society must begin to take charge of community representation," the...

Expansion work to almost double wind generating capacity at Wigton Wind Farm, Manchester, is now far advanced, following ground breaking two months ago. By November, nine new 2 megawatt Vestas V80 wind turbines will come into operation. Wigton will also open a Resource Centre, to provide technical information on wind energy generation. The expansions will double Wigton Windfarm's renewable energy...

One of the United Kingdom's (UK) oldest and most prestigious chocolatiers, Charbonnel et Walker, is interested in using Jamaican cocoa in the production of its range of handcrafted chocolates. Next month, the Chairman of the company, Galvin Weston, will be visiting Jamaica for meetings with representatives of JAMPRO and coco industry authorities, to look at potential joint venture investment in...

Executive Chairman of the Sugar Industry Authority (SIA), Ambassador Derrick Heaven, has said that the sugar industry has many economic possibilities in Jamaica, once it is managed well with the requisite capital. "The sugar industry has a bright future; we have bottomed out, and are now on the way up. The linkages with this industry are tremendous, and Jamaica has...

Agriculture and Fisheries Minister, Hon. Dr. Christopher Tufton, has welcomed local implementation of the Competitiveness Coffee Enterprises programme for farmers in several of the island's coffee producing regions. The programme, a joint initiative between Jamaica and Guatemala, aims to improve the competitiveness of coffee farmers in both countries, while developing the administrative capacity and value-added component of the beneficiary co-operatives...