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The Government is seeking to make a number of changes in the country's trade policy in order to benefit local producers. Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Dr. Christopher Tufton gave this assurance at the Annual Conference of the St. Elizabeth Jamaica Agriculture Society (JAS) chapter, held at the Sharon Baptist Church, in the parish on Thursday, June 18. "If...

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Donovan Stanberry, has said that while crop insurance is critical to the agricultural sector, individuals need to play a proactive role in their approach to disasters. Speaking at a technical workshop on Weather Risk Management Strategies for the Agricultural Sector, at the Hilton Kingston Hotel on Thursday June 18, Mr. Stanberry...

The Jamaica Goat Farmers Association is looking to put a number of projects in place to increase goat farming in Jamaica, which will boost animal stock, meet the high demand, and reduce the price for goat meat. These initiatives, which will be funded through an expected $81 million grant from the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), include the setting up...

Goat farmers in Manchester were sensitised about all aspects of goat rearing at a seminar, organised by the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), at its offices in Mandeville, Manchester on June 16. The farmers were provided with information on areas such as nutritional and health issues affecting goats; the effects of feeding grains as a supplemental feed on small ruminants...

Farmers who have been affected by the Beet Army Worm in St. Elizabeth, will begin receiving assistance next week. This was announced by Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Dr. Christopher Tufton, at a meeting with farmers, held at the Pedro Plains Anglican Church, in St. Elizabeth, on June 17. "I have instructed that the parish tractor service be made...

Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Hon. Audley Shaw, has said that the food processing sector has the potential to earn the country about US$500 million each year. Speaking at Sterling Asset Management Limited at its new Barbados Avenue offices, on June 17, Mr. Shaw stated that with the required support, food processing could make up the shortfall left...

Manager of the St. Ann branch of the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), Pedro Worghs, has reported high yields from the production and productivity programme for farmers in the parish. "This programme involves a number of selected crops, namely, Irish and sweet potatoes, hot pepper, carrot, onion and dasheen," Mr. Worghs told JIS News. He added that the programme was...

The Sugar Company of Jamaica (SCJ) began paying off its former employees, on Tuesday (June 16), as a prelude to the divestment of the factories and fulfilling a commitment made last year by the Government. A release from the SCJ reported that $1.8 billion was paid out to 5,573 employees at the five Government-owned estates across the country - Bernard...

Approximately 7,000 farmers from across Jamaica are being targeted for a one-day marketing conference at the Trelawny multi-purpose stadium on Thursday (June 25). The conference is being organised by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries and the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), as they culminate their production and marketing drive to advance market driven agricultural production among farmers. The objective...

Parish Development Officer for the Jamaica 4-H Clubs in Manchester, Malonia Harper, has pointed out that a proposal has been put forward to use the school garden project in the parish, to enhance the school breakfast and lunch programmes. Speaking recently at the monthly meeting of the Jamaica 4-H Clubs Parish Advisory Council, in Mandeville, Mrs. Harper said the proposal...

Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) Zonal Director, Bernard Goffe, has commended the St. Ann branch of the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS), for moving agriculture and rural development forward. Mr. Goffe was speaking on behalf of RADA's Chief Executive Officer, Al Powell, at the annual general meeting of the branch, on Wednesday (June 10) at the St. Mark's Anglican Church Hall,...

Minister of Agriculture Dr. Christopher Tufton, has said that extension officers are to undergo retraining and recertification to maintain high levels of service to farmers. "I therefore encourage farmers to partner with RADA(Rural Agricultural Development Authority) to get better yields, better productivity and enjoy better living standards," Dr. Tufton said. The Minister was speaking at the handing over of water...