Twenty-eight agricultural extension officers from across Jamaica have successfully completed an intensive two-day specialised soil management training programme, aimed at strengthening climate-resilient farming and improving agricultural productivity nationwide. The officers were recognised during the programme’s closing ceremony at the Liguanea Club in New Kingston on Tuesday (February 17). The initiative was implemented through a partnership between the Ministry of Agriculture,...

Thirty-three farmers at the Parnassus Agro-Park have received farm tools and supplies from the Government, valued at approximately $30 million, equipping them to increase production, strengthen their livelihoods, and contribute to Jamaica’s food security. Among the items are one-acre irrigation systems, fencing materials, seeds, seedlings, crop inputs for one-acre and half-acre plots, and small tools such as mist blowers and...

The Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) is urging onion farmers in Heartease, St. Thomas, to take steps to manage the rise in foliar disease affecting their crops. Foliar disease primarily affects the leaves. These infections are usually caused by fungi, bacteria or viruses, and they interfere with photosynthesis, weaken plant growth, and reduce crop yield and quality. It can affect...

Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Hon. Floyd Green, is encouraging farmers to plant more fruit trees, particularly ackee and breadfruit, to meet local and overseas demand and replenish crops lost during Hurricane Melissa. “We’re on a drive to expand our fruit trees, especially ackee and breadfruit. Clearly, ackee is our second largest export. We’re seeing tremendous demand for it...

The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining has listed priority areas of focus for the 2026-2027 financial year, to boost the sector’s resilience after Hurricane Melissa’s devastation. These included advancing the work to establish a national food reserve, as well as the Minerals Institute, greenhouse clusters and new Agro-Parks. The Ministry also plans to rehabilitate six fishing beaches and 70...

The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining will implement a $100-million large-scale recovery programme for banana and plantain farmers, after Hurricane Melissa wiped out the country’s commercial crop during its passage on October 28. The programme, which will be implemented by The Banana Board and the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), is expected to assist approximately 5,000 banana and plantain...

Bath Botanical Gardens in St. Thomas will be rehabilitated over a five-month period at a cost of $29.5 million. The Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF), along with the Ministries of Tourism, and Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, signed a contract with SM Quality Construction for the undertaking on Thursday (February 5), at JSIF’s Richmond Avenue offices in Kingston. The project will...