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Despite the impact of the prolonged drought, Jamaica's agricultural sector recorded a 3.1 per cent increase in gross production in the first quarter of 2010 (January to March), according to Agriculture and Fisheries Minister, Hon. Dr. Christopher Tufton. While the figure was significantly lower than the 33.5 per cent recorded during October to December 2009, the Minister pointed out that...

The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries is to embark on a new phase of the drive against praedial larceny, aimed at safeguarding Jamaica's lobster population, to ensure its long term sustainability Chief Technical Director in the Ministry, Dr. Marc Panton, has explained that the thrust is underpinned by revisions to the Fisheries Act, as regard fishing for lobster, particularly where...

Managing Director of the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF), Mrs. Scarlette Gillings, has lauded the contribution of the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS) to the development and growth of the agricultural sector. In a speech prepared for the 101st Annual General Meeting of the Portland Association of Branch Societies and the Eleventh Portland Farmers Agricultural Exposition, and delivered by JSIF's agricultural...

Access to assistance from the Rural Economic Development Initiative (REDI) project for community development, was outlined at the 101st Annual General Meeting of the Portland Association of Branch Societies of the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS) in Port Antonio on Wednesday (April 21). Agricultural Specialist at the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF), Mr. Vincent Thompson, said that the project, operated by...

The Government earned some $57 million during the 2009 fishing season, from a levy imposed on conch exports, Chief Technical Director in the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Dr. Marc Panton, has reported. Speaking at the closing ceremony for the Improving Jamaica's Agricultural Productivity Project (IJAPP) fisheries extension training course, held at the Fisheries Division's offices, Marcus Garvey Drive, Kingston,...

The Government, through the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, is currently in the process of establishing an Aquaculture Fisheries Monitoring Committee, as part of efforts to resuscitate the local aquaculture industry. Chief Technical Director in the Ministry, Dr. Marc Panton, said that the committee's terms of reference are currently being developed, with a primary mandate to examine the industry's output...

Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Dr. Christopher Tufton, has suggested the implementation of a specific timeframe within which scrap metal stakeholders be allowed to engage in trading. He said that this would form part of measures to ensure that valuable equipment, which have been stolen, are not sold within the trade. "I am of the view that we need...

Professor Alvin Wint, Pro Vice Chancellor and Chairman of the Board for Undergraduate Studies at the University of the West Indies (UWI), will chair the Commission to enquire into the regulatory, institutional and pricing arrangements in the sugar industry. This was disclosed by Minister with responsibility for Information, Telecommunications and Special Projects, Hon. Daryl Vaz, at the weekly Post Cabinet...

Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Hon. Audley Shaw, has said that the 12 per cent growth in agriculture in 2009 resulted in the creation of 10,000 new jobs, bringing total employment in the sector to 235,000. "It is important for us to know and remind ourselves of the importance of the agricultural sector. That it contributes, through the...

Revisions to the Fisheries Act, currently being pursued by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries to facilitate development of the sector, are at an advanced stage, Chief Technical Director in the Ministry, Dr. Marc Panton, has disclosed. Speaking at the closing ceremony for Improving Jamaica's Agricultural Productivity Project's (IJAPP) fisheries extension training course at the Fisheries Division, Marcus Garvey Drive,...

The Government is to establish a Food Safety Agency, which will have sole responsibility for monitoring food imports, to ensure their wholesomeness for consumption, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Mr. Donovan Stanberry, has disclosed. Speaking with JIS News, Mr. Stanberry informed that establishment of the facility is expected to reduce to one, the number of entities,...

Prime Minister, the Hon. Bruce Golding announced today (April 20), that Cabinet has approved an arrangement with Tate & Lyle for the provision of 100,000 tons of sugar, with prepayment of US$26 million this year, and US$20 million next year, to facilitate planting of the crop and preparation of the factories for production. Making his contribution to the 2010/11 Budget...