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A decision on whether Jamaica can begin the growing of rice on a commercial scale is to be made in another six months. This was disclosed by Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Christopher Tufton, while on a tour of an experimental plot at the Bodles Research Station in Old Harbour, St. Catherine on Wednesday (Jan. 28). Dr. Tufton told JIS News...

Culinary Specialist with Grace Kitchens and Consumer Services, Maizie Miller, has added to the call for Jamaicans to make greater use of home-grown produce, in light of the global economic challenges. Mrs. Miller was giving the keynote address at the Manchester branch of the Jamaica Agricultural Society's (JAS) half yearly meeting held at the Anglican Church Hall in Mandeville yesterday...

The Food Storage and Prevention of Infestation Division (FSPID) is conducting research, aimed at extending the shelf life of five varieties of sweet potatoes, and to determine cyanide levels in cassava. The varieties of potatoes being targeted by the research are Eustace, Fire on Land, Clarendon, Quarter Million, and Miss Mack, which are sold on the local and international markets....

The Food Storage and Prevention of Infestation Division (FSPID), is seeking to build on 50 years of success, by putting measures in place to enhance its operations, and exploring ways in which it can execute its duties more effectively and efficiently. "We will also be making representation to increase our staff complement, as well as our units into other areas...

The Ministry of Agriculture has allocated $12.7 million towards a project, now underway in St. Ann, which is aimed at increasing the production of certain crops in the parish. St. Ann Parish Manager for the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), Pedro Worghs, told JIS News that the crops being targeted included carrots, Irish potato, yam, dasheen, sweet potato, ginger, red...

The Cascade Producers Marketing Organisation, in Hanover, a group comprising some 25 farmers from that rural district, signed an agreement with the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations (UN) yesterday (Jan. 21) which guarantees the farmers some $225,000 in assistance for production of the 'Lucea Yam'. According to FAO representative in Jamaica, Dr. Dunstan Campbell, the agreement,...

There was a 14.4 per cent increase in domestic crop production for the October to December 2008 quarter, as compared to the similar quarter of 2007. Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Christopher Tufton, presenting fourth quarter production figures at a press briefing held yesterday (Jan. 19) at his Hope Gardens office in Kingston, said that the sector overall, based on preliminary...

More than 700 banana and plantain farmers, whose crops were damaged or destroyed during the passage of Hurricane Dean in August 2007, have been benefiting from assistance under the European Union Banana Support Programme's (EUBSP) Hurricane Dean Resuscitation/Rehabilitation Training Programme, since its inception last November. More than 2,500 hectares of domestic banana and plantain trees, amounting to approximately 95 per...

Plans are being made for the expansion of the Ministry of Agriculture's Land Administration and Management Programme (LAMP) outside of St. Catherine, where it currently operates.This is in an effort to assist the holders of unregistered lands in other parishes to formalize ownership of their properties. Activities are being developed in this regard, and when finalized, should see more landowners...

Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Christopher Tufton, has said that agriculture must be transformed into a modern and competitive sector in order for it to survive and grow. Dr. Tufton was speaking on November 7 at the agriculture task force workshop at the Terra Nova Hotel in Kingston, to discuss the draft vision for the sector as part of Jamaica's plan...

The Ministry of Agriculture and Lands will be spending approximately $2.4 million over the next six months to provide training in apiculture for 22 young men and women, under phase three of its Beekeeping Apprenticeship Programme. Chief Apiculture Officer in the Ministry, Reginald Peddy in an interview with JIS News recently, explained that the programme, which is expected to get...

Prime Minister, Portia Simpson-Miller on (June 28) officially commissioned into operation the Pedro Plains Irrigation System, which will benefit scores of farmers in South St. Elizabeth. In delivering the keynote address, Mrs. Simpson-Miller noted that the irrigation system will address the needs of farmers in Pedro Plains, Little Park and Beacon. "Today is your day. for everyone wishing to put...