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Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Christopher Tufton, has accused Opposition spokesman, Roger Clarke, of acting irresponsibly in his statements on the issue of cheap, organic-based fertilizer imported by the Government last year to assist local farmers. "Irresponsible and, frankly speaking, selfish," Dr. Tufton described statements made by the Mr. Clarke in the House of Representatives on Tuesday, and at a press...

The Citrus Growers Association (CGA) will be holding an extraordinary general meeting on March 17, to make a determination on the terms and conditions laid down by the Government for them to access short -term, public financing to assist with this year's crop. Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Christopher Tufton, told the House of Representatives on Tuesday(March 3) that he met...

Finance and Public Service Minister, Audley Shaw, has said that the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) is looking at assisting in the expansion of an agricultural greenhouse technology pilot project in his North East Manchester constituency. Addressing the launch of the FINPYME company competitiveness programme at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, in Kingston on Monday (Mar. 2), Mr. Shaw said that during...

Chairman of the Management Committee of Cave Valley Coffee Co-operative Limited, Douet Reid, has called on coffee farmers, particularly those involved in the cultivation of non-Blue Mountain coffee, to join forces to revitalise the sector as it can be profitable. Mr. Reid, who was speaking at the recent launch of the Cave Valley Coffee Co-operative in Cave Valley, St. Ann,...

The Ministry of Agriculture's Centre of Excellence, which will be officially launched on March 18, at Bodles Research Station, St. Catherine, is geared to become the nexus for co-operation on agriculture. Director of the Centre, Dr. Wayne Henry, told JIS News that the Centre will be the "nexus for regional and international co-operation on agriculture", and that the Government of...

Executive Director of the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), Al Powell has reiterated the Authority's commitment to providing the best extension service, and most effective marketing assistance to farmers. Giving the main address at an open day organized by the RADA Portland Office, Mr. Powell said this undertaking was out of recognition of the critical role the farming community plays...

The Ministry of Agriculture will be publishing the retail and farm gate prices of popular produce, to help consumers better plan their budgets. The publication, which is being prepared, will be made available on a weekly basis, the Ministry has reported. With the Marketing Division of the Ministry reporting up to a 700 per cent increase between farm gate and...

Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Christopher Tufton, has announced that refurbishing of the Wait-A-Bit multi-purpose building, in Upper Trelawny, as a yam packaging house for farmers of the parish, would get underway soon. He pointed out that the project would cost some $15 million, and would be completed within six months. "We are moving ahead with the plans that were announced...

Persons and businesses found stockpiling lobster for the annual closed season, from April to June, will face heavy penalties, when the new Fisheries Act comes into effect. This was revealed by Acting Director of the Marine Branch of the Fisheries Division of the Ministry of Agriculture, Ian Jones, in an interview with JIS News. "Following imminent passage of the new...

State Minister for Agriculture, J.C. Hutchinson, has urged farmers to join their local Production and Marketing Organisation (PMO), to benefit from assistance from the Ministry of Agriculture. The PMOs, which comprise groups of farmers at the district level, are responsible for distributing farming inputs, which are channelled through the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA). "We have put in place a...

Persons are being warned not to fish in fish sanctuaries or they could face hefty fines ranging from $250,000 to $2,000,000. Acting Director of the Marine Branch of the Fisheries Division, Ian Jones, speaking to JIS News during a tour of the Black River Bay fish sanctuary last week, said that previously, the fines were so low that some fishers...

The Ministry of Agriculture is looking at using artificial shelters to replenish lobster stock in the fish sanctuaries being established across the island, and will be seeking private sector support in the process. These shelters, called condominiums, have already proved to be a success, where they are being used in lobster breeding at the Bowden Fish Sanctuary in St. Thomas....