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Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Dr. Christopher Tufton, has said that beef production is slated for increased attention by the Ministry this financial year, with new initiatives being added to those already implemented for the dairy sector. Dr. Tufton said the Ministry would be focussing on investing and marketing, technical support, abattoirs and traceability for food safety and health....

A formal agreement signed in 1999 between bauxite alumina company, ALPART and the Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI) led to the establishment of the Sam Motta Goat and Sheep Demonstration Training Centre (SMGSDTC) in Knockpatrick, Central Manchester. The centre, which is named after Sam Motta, a livestock scientist who contributed to the introduction of forage evaluation and utilisation...

The commitment to establish a youth arm of the Red Poll Cattle Breeders Society in member countries including Jamaica, and successful embryo transfers for a local breeder, were two of the main highlights of the 12th World Red Poll Congress taking place in Jamaica. This was disclosed by Chairman of the Jamaica Red Poll Cattle Breeders Society, Dr. Karl Wellington...

The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries is enlisting the help of animal owners, particularly dog owners in ensuring the eradication of screwworms. Despite the continued success of the National Screwworm Eradication Programme, (NSEP) in employing measures to rid the country of the new world screwworm fly, the lack of full participation from dog owners, has been a major setback. This...

The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries is encouraging more use of sweet potato as a healthy starch staple, based on the health and investment benefits of the product, as confirmed by research. Such benefits include its local availability, overseas demand and economic viability. Additionally, the fact that it is well accepted culturally, suggests that most consumers will be receptive to...

The Jamworld Fishing Village in Portmore should be completed by August to facilitate the relocation of fisherfolk, who ply their trade along the Causeway. A $72 million contract for the completion of works at the Jamworld complex, to facilitate the move, was signed yesterday (April 23) at the Ministry of Transport and Works' Maxfield Avenue office. The contract, which was...

Approximately 6,000 Jamaican men and women are expected to be employed on farms in Canada this year. Larkland Stone, Chief Liaison Officer at the Jamaica Liaison Service (JLS), which oversees the Farm Work Programme in Canada, said that the figure represented the same amount as last year. "At this time, based on projections and the fact that we have picked...

Jamalco has donated 50 bags of fertiliser along with sweet pepper, tomato and cucumber seeds valued at more than $150,000 to farmers in South Manchester. The items were handed over at a Farmer's Day held recently at Campbell's Castle All-age School in the parish, where the farmers also benefitted from training to improve agronomic practices in hot pepper production. Community...

The New Forest/Duff House Irrigation Society in Manchester staged their 2nd Annual Agricultural Expo on Thursday (April 16), showcasing produce from communities in the area. Chairman of the group, Simon Supersad, said that the annual event resulted from the need for farmers to organize and market their produce in a structured manner. "We are mobilising our resources to expose the...

Some 100 farmers from South St. Elizabeth and Manchester are to receive 1000-gallon polyethylene tanks, as Government seeks to increase farmers' access to irrigation water to boost agricultural production. The provision is being made under the Black Tank Project, which was launched yesterday (April 16) by the National Irrigation Commission (NIC), at the St. Steven's Anglican Church in Pedro Plains,...

Tourejon Food Processors Jamaica Limited, located at the Denbigh Industrial Estate, Clarendon, is one company that is helping to increase domestic food crops, while contributing to technology transfer. They received support under the domestic food crop production programme, currently administered by the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), on behalf of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries. Assistance is provided based...

Over 260 Jamaicans departed for Canada and the United States, today (April 15) to join the Ministry of Labour and Social Security's (MLSS) Overseas Employment Programme, as farm workers. About 166 persons left the Overseas Employment Office, East Street, Kingston, to join the programme in Canada, while another 96 left in the afternoon for the United States where they will...