Operators of food handling establishments and butchers in Portland are being urged to purchase meat exclusively from registered farmers, as part of ongoing efforts by the Portland Health Department to strengthen its food safety standards and enforcement measures. This call was made by Livestock Officer at the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) Portland branch, Odane Edwards, during the Portland Butchers...

The Government, in partnership with the World Bank, officially launched the AgriConnect Jamaica initiative on Wednesday (April 29). The programme aims to transform smallholder farming from subsistence-level activity into sustainable commercial success. Jamaica is among the first countries to implement this flagship initiative, which seeks to connect 300 million farmers globally and strengthen agricultural value chains by 2030. Speaking during...

The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining is targeting the recovery of yam through investment of $100 million. Portfolio Minister, Hon. Floyd Green, said the support is part of a broader strategic response to the agricultural industry, following the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa. He was speaking on Tuesday (April 28) during the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) Recovery and...

The Jamaica Agricultural Commodities Regulatory Authority (JACRA) is encouraging Jamaicans to support local chocolatiers to bolster the industry and the economy. Acting Senior Director for Cocoa and Coconut at JACRA, Chevonne Aschute, said local producers have been ramping up production, competing for the local supply of cocoa. “Since we grow what we eat and we eat what we grow, we...

Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Hon. Floyd Green, says the Government is repositioning the agricultural sector to bounce back faster and stronger from future extreme weather-related events. “Every time we go through a major weather event, we must not aim to just recover; we must aim to do it quicker and better than the time before,” he said. Mr....

The Jamaica Agricultural Commodities Regulatory Authority (JACRA) says cocoa production is expected to bounce back for the 2026/2027 crop period, which begins this October and runs through to September of next year. The positive outlook is based on the significant investment in recovery efforts through the provision of seedlings, fertilisers and technical support after the passage of Hurricane Melissa. Addressing...

Poultry farmers across the island are being encouraged to take proactive measures to manage heat stress in their flocks, as rising temperatures are expected in the coming months. Senior Plant Health and Food Safety Officer with the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), Francine Webb, noted that temperatures are expected to rise during the April to June period. “Below normal rainfall...