The Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) is encouraging farming communities to establish protected seedling centres, to strengthen future recovery efforts. These are specific areas identified for the development of seedlings for future use. Seedling centres will be able to provide farmers with plants to help them recover after periods of loss. Senior Plant Health and Food Safety Officer with RADA,...

Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Hon. Floyd Green, says assessments indicate that the agriculture sector incurred losses totalling $4.73 billion from the Hurricane Beryl’s passage. Making a statement in the House of Representatives on Tuesday (July 16), Mr. Green said the assessments indicate that 48,852 farmers have been impacted. He added that approximately 23,040 hectares of farmland have been...

Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Hon. Floyd Green (second right), looks at a cabbage field in Bog Hole, during a tour of farms in Clarendon on Wednesday (July 17) to assess hurricane damage. Joining him are Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) senior managers (from left) Parish Manager for Clarendon, Wayne Reid; Principal Director for Field Services/Operations (Acting), Collin Henry;...

The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining has allocated $700 million as an immediate response to help farmers recover from the passage of Hurricane Beryl, which impacted the island on July 3. Portfolio Minister, Hon. Floyd Green, said this initial tranche of support will be used to purchase critical items urgently needed to help farmers rebuild their operations and do...

The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining has been working with local farmers to deal with yam rust disease, which has presented itself in Jamaica. Yam rust, also known as Goplana dioscorea and Goplana australis, is reportedly caused by a fungal pathogen. Research has indicated that its symptoms include yellow spots or pustules on upper leaf surfaces. Portfolio Minister, Hon....

The Development Bank of Jamaica (DBJ) will be providing $1 billion for on-lending to broiler companies and/or approved farmers who suffered losses during the passage of Hurricane Beryl. Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, outlined the support in the House of Representatives on July 16, where he gave an update on Hurricane Beryl relief and recovery. He said the...

A customer service hotline has been established for the agricultural and fisheries sectors to report damage and needs. Persons can call 888-Ask-RADA which is 888-275-7232. Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Hon. Floyd Green, made the disclosure during a post-Cabinet press conference held at Jamaica House on July 17. “You can call to deal with RADA (Rural Agricultural Development Authority)...

The National Irrigation Commission (NIC) is currently working to restore irrigation services to customers impacted by the passage of Hurricane Beryl on July 3. Public Relations Specialist with the NIC, Christeen Forbes, told JIS News in an interview today (July 16) that the Commission has since restored irrigation services to most schemes in the three regions, with all systems in...

The Jamaica Dairy Development Board (JDDB) is reporting the loss of 34,000 litres of cow’s milk as a result of the passage of Hurricane Beryl on July 3. Data was collected through an islandwide Impact Assessment following the hurricane. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at the JDDB, Devon Sayers, told JIS News that farm visits were done on July 4 at...