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Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Dr. Christopher Tufton, has said that measures are being put in place to assist the coffee industry, which is facing challenges due to the current global economic climate. Dr. Tufton explained that while most of the coffee produced locally is sold outside of Jamaica, with Japan being a key market, there has been a...

Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Dr. Christopher Tufton, says his Ministry is developing a Food Security and Nutrition Policy programme, to help define food security and how it can influence the nutritional requirements of Jamaicans. Speaking at the launch of the 58th Denbigh Agricultural Show, at Hi-Pro ACE, White Marl, St. Catherine, Wednesday (June 16), the Minister said he expected...

The Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF) recently hosted a forum at the Clarendon parish office of the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), to sensitise persons to the Rural Economic Development Initiative (REDI). Agricultural Specialist with JSIF, Vincent Thompson, told the large audience that the programme is seeking to create employment and empower rural communities, by supporting investments in agriculture and...

As part of a Protected Agriculture Project in North East St. Catherine, a greenhouse was officially opened in the community of Top Mountain, Thursday (June 10). The greenhouse is one of four constructed by the Christiana Potato Growers' Association in the Pear Tree Grove and Top Mountain communities at a cost of approximately $6 million, through funding by the Constituency...

Farmers are to benefit from an upcoming project involving the use of small hand-held tools to assist with land preparation, Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Dr. Christopher Tufton, told a Farmers' Forum at Town Hall, Guys Hill, St. Catherine, Thursday (June 10). The Minister said that the tools will be leased to the farmers through the Rural Agricultural Development...

Nearly 200 farmers, in eight parishes, are currently benefitting from the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries' Financial Access for Responsible Members (FARM) programme. The initiative, which commenced in November 2009, aims to enhance Jamaica's agricultural output by facilitating individuals serious about making a livelihood out of farming, with access to funding to finance their undertakings. Upwards of $87 million has...

Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Dr. Christopher Tufton, has lauded farmers in Manchester for sticking to best practices resulting in increased yields from their crops. The Minister, who was addressing a town hall meeting at Little Ochi Conference Room, Alligator Pond, Manchester, on Thursday (June 3), cited data which showed the parish accounting for 18 per cent of national...

Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Dr. Christopher Tufton, has announced that the new design work to curb the erosion of the Alligator Pond Fishing Beach, in Manchester, will be in place within another 30 days. Addressing fisherfolk and farmers at a town hall meeting on Thursday (June 3) at the Little Ochi Conference Room in the community, Dr. Tufton told...

Newly appointed Chairman of the Sugar Industry Commission of Enquiry, Professor Alvin Wint, has stated that public hearings, geared at developing a new framework for the sector, will begin on Monday, June 14 at the Bernard Lodge Sugar Estate, St. Catherine. Speaking Tuesday (June 1) at a press conference at the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hope Gardens, Kingston, Professor...

The Food Storage and Prevention of Infestation Division (FSPID) of the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce continues to mitigate rodent infestation in food/feed stores, post offices, prisons and hospitals. Stakeholders in the food industry have been empowered, through various training programmes and consultations, to take responsibility for rodent control through proper environmental management, according to a Ministerial Report on...

The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries is seeking to make the process of starting an agricultural enterprise easier, with the creation of the Agro Investment Corporation. Started in October 2009, the Corporation is the business facilitation arm of the Ministry and is responsible for investment promotion and facilitation, and project and market development. It is a merger of the Agricultural...

The Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF) has embarked on a series of sensitisation meetings across the island, to heighten farmers' awareness about its Rural Economic Development Initiative (REDI) programme, and how it will benefit them. The programme, which was launched earlier this year, is being funded by the World Bank and is expected to benefit more than 22,000 persons in...