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The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries has stepped up activities geared towards safeguarding the island's livestock population against a possible outbreak of the Influenza A (H1N1) virus. Director of Veterinary Services in the Ministry, Dr. Osbil Watson, said that animal disease surveillance, laboratory diagnoses, and farmer education and public awareness programmes, which have been ongoing over the past several months,...

Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries Hon. Dr. Christopher Tufton, will highlight opportunities for investment in Jamaica's agricultural sector at a seminar slated for May 12 in New York City USA. Themed, 'Farming is Back', the session, which is being organised and hosted by the Jamaican Consulate in New York, will focus on production, post harvest processing, greenhouse technology, among other...

Ebony Park HEART Academy, in Clarendon, one of Jamaica's chief agricultural training institutions, is well on its way to ensuring the country's food security, through its agro-processing operations. The institution has embarked on a drive to minimise wastage of agricultural produce, by processing an array of products, including jams, jellies, hot pepper sauce and tomato paste. At the recently staged...

Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Dr. Christopher Tufton, has said that the Ministry is ready to assist farmers who wish to grow rice by identifying suitable land, technical support and machinery, once the current pilot project proves that viable yields are possible without burdening consumers by passing on undue costs. "Jamaicans consume some 100,000 tonnes of imported rice annually,...

As Jamaica moves to improve its skills in greenhouse technology in order to boost agricultural production and local food security, 12 young persons have been enrolled in a Modified Environment Agriculture Certification Programme at the Ebony Park HEART Academy in Clarendon. The 12 young persons are learning skills to correctly fabricate greenhouses, as well as use protected horticultural and agricultural...

The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries has said that there is no evidence that the 'Swine Influenza' which continues to devastate several countries across the globe, originated in animals. At a meeting of the National Emergency Animal Disease Committee (NEADCOM) yesterday (April 29), at the Veterinary Services Division of the Ministry, it was stressed that the disease appears to be...

Opposition Spokesperson on Agriculture, Roger Clarke, has recommended that the Government accelerate its land reform and divestment programme to stimulate agricultural production. Mr. Clarke also urged the Government to identify parcels of land it owns in each parish, and distribute them, by way of reversible lease, to small farmers. "Any farmer occupying Government lands and not producing, give it to...

President of the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS), Senator Norman Grant, has reiterated the commitment of the organisation to empowering farmers and facilitating increased production within the agricultural sector. Giving the main address at the 100th annual general meeting and 10th farmers' exposition of the Portland Association of Branch Societies, held recently at the JAS compound in Port Antonio, Senator Grant...

The country's food security has been further strengthened with the opening of a new Molecular Biology Laboratory, at the Veterinary Services Division of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, in Kingston. Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Dr. Christopher Tufton, who officially opened the laboratory today (April 29), said the facility will help with the "detection of genetic diseases and diseases...

Hemsley "Bookie" Johnston, a Clarendon farmer who turned 101 years old on Valentine's Day, has been recognised by the Jamaica 4-H Clubs for service to the Movement and the agricultural sector. Mr. Johnston was presented with a special award at the 4-H Clubs' National Achievement Day and Expo, at the Denbigh Showgrounds, Clarendon, on Friday, April 24. He was hailed...

Fifty two year-old Ansel Williams from Trelawny, is an accomplished yam farmer, who has made a 'decent' livelihood out of his lifelong occupation, which began when he was just 13 years old. He proudly cites many creditable achievements, which were made possible as a result of his efforts, and the accumulation of savings from his 'yam money' over many years....

Jamaica's National Emergency Animal Disease Committee is monitoring local pig farmers to ensure that all safety measures are in place to protect animal and public health in light of the outbreak of swine flu in Mexico and other countries. Director of the Veterinary Services Division of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Dr. Osbil Watson, told JIS News that there...