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Director, Tourism Linkages Network, Carolyn McDonlad Riley.
Director, Tourism Linkages Network, Carolyn McDonlad Riley.
Agriculture

Coffee Innovation Competition Added to Activities for Coffee Festival

Persons are being invited to participate in the Coffee Innovation Competition, the newest feature of the Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee Festival. Director, Tourism Linkages Network, Carolyn McDonald Riley told JIS News that the competition is a “unique opportunity to show...
Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., addresses a press conference at the Office of the Prime Minister in St. Andrew, on March 3.
Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., addresses a press conference at the Office of the Prime Minister in St. Andrew, on March 3.

More Help for Farmers Affected by Drought
Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr. (centre), looks at a floor plan for a new tilapia hatchery during a stakeholders’ validation meeting at the Caymanas Gold Club in St. Catherine, on March 2. Also observing are (from left) Managing Director, Bernard Sustainable Limited, Keroma Bernard; CEO, National Fisheries Authority, Dr. Gavin Bellamy; Chief Technical Director, Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Orville Palmer and Director, Holland Aqua, Frans Aarsten.
Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr. (centre), looks at a floor plan for a new tilapia hatchery during a stakeholders’ validation meeting at the Caymanas Gold Club in St. Catherine, on March 2. Also observing are (from left) Managing Director, Bernard Sustainable Limited, Keroma Bernard; CEO, National Fisheries Authority, Dr. Gavin Bellamy; Chief Technical Director, Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Orville Palmer and Director, Holland Aqua, Frans Aarsten.

Climate-resilient Aquaculture Hatchery to Double Fry Supply of NFA
Patrons view birds at a booth during the Hague Agricultural Show, which was held in Trelawny on Ash Wednesday, February 22.
Patrons view birds at a booth during the Hague Agricultural Show, which was held in Trelawny on Ash Wednesday, February 22.

Hague Agricultural Show Rebounds from Two-Year COVID-19 Hiatus
A $2.3-billion allocation has been made to continue work on the Southern Plains Agricultural Development Project in the upcoming fiscal year. The sum has been budgeted in the 2023/24 Estimates of Expenditure, tabled in the House of Representatives by Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Dr. the Hon. Nigel Clarke, recently. The project, which began in December 2019, aims to provide access to irrigation water on fallow sugar lands, to increase agricultural productivity through the modernisation of the agricultural sector. It includes construction of wells and canal network and the development of the associated agricultural infrastructure in the arable areas of Amity Hall and Bridge Pen in St. Catherine and Parnassus in Clarendon. Up to December 2022, the drilling of three wells and yield test were completed in Parnassus, and abstraction licences were approved by the Water Resources Authority. Other physical achievements of the project include the completion of capacity-building for climate resilience and crop modelling, the design of agricultural buildings, the irrigation network design, the irrigation and road/draining works, and a gender-responsive training manual for farmer groups. For fiscal year 2023/24, anticipated physical targets of the project are to commence the construction of agricultural buildings and to complete the construction of irrigation network and roads/drainage infrastructure, as well as to complete the rehabilitation of Hartlands canal. This is in addition to the re-tender for contract to construct pump houses and reservoir at Amity Hall/Bridge Pen and the acquisition of GIS equipment for the NIC. (more) Southern Plains…2 The project is being implemented by the Ministry Agriculture and Fisheries, with co-funding from the Government of Jamaica and the Caribbean Development Bank. It is slated to end in December 2024. An additional $361.7 million has been earmarked to undertake activities in fiscal year 2024/25, if necessary.
A $2.3-billion allocation has been made to continue work on the Southern Plains Agricultural Development Project in the upcoming fiscal year. The sum has been budgeted in the 2023/24 Estimates of Expenditure, tabled in the House of Representatives by Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Dr. the Hon. Nigel Clarke, recently. The project, which began in December 2019, aims to provide access to irrigation water on fallow sugar lands, to increase agricultural productivity through the modernisation of the agricultural sector. It includes construction of wells and canal network and the development of the associated agricultural infrastructure in the arable areas of Amity Hall and Bridge Pen in St. Catherine and Parnassus in Clarendon. Up to December 2022, the drilling of three wells and yield test were completed in Parnassus, and abstraction licences were approved by the Water Resources Authority. Other physical achievements of the project include the completion of capacity-building for climate resilience and crop modelling, the design of agricultural buildings, the irrigation network design, the irrigation and road/draining works, and a gender-responsive training manual for farmer groups. For fiscal year 2023/24, anticipated physical targets of the project are to commence the construction of agricultural buildings and to complete the construction of irrigation network and roads/drainage infrastructure, as well as to complete the rehabilitation of Hartlands canal. This is in addition to the re-tender for contract to construct pump houses and reservoir at Amity Hall/Bridge Pen and the acquisition of GIS equipment for the NIC. (more) Southern Plains…2 The project is being implemented by the Ministry Agriculture and Fisheries, with co-funding from the Government of Jamaica and the Caribbean Development Bank. It is slated to end in December 2024. An additional $361.7 million has been earmarked to undertake activities in fiscal year 2024/25, if necessary.

Southern Plains Agricultural Development Project Gets $2.3 Billion

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Agriculture

RADA Trains More Than 14,000 Farmers in Five Years

The Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) has trained more than 14,000 farmers in the last five years on best practices in livestock and crop production. Delivered through its extension service, training aims to improve sustainable production and to ensure that international protocols are maintained. Livestock Specialist at RADA, Maxine Brown, said that having one livestock officer in each parish has...
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Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Dr. the Hon. Nigel Clarke, speaks after tabling the 2023/24 Estimates of Expenditure in the House of Representatives on February 14.
AgricultureFinance & Public ServiceFisheriesParliament

Work Continues on Essex Valley Irrigation Project

The Essex Valley Irrigation Infrastructure Development Programme, being implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, is to continue in the upcoming fiscal year through an allocation of nearly $4.5 billion. Details of the allocation are outlined in the 2023/24 Estimates of Expenditure, tabled in the House of Representatives by Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Dr. the Hon....
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AgricultureFinance & Public Service

$66.5M Allocated for Soil Fertility Mapping Project

Work is to continue on the soil fertility mapping project in the upcoming fiscal year, with approximately $66.58 million allocated to the initiative. The provision is contained in the 2023/24 Estimates of Expenditure, tabled in the House of Representatives recently. The project, being implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, aims to increase productivity and the quality of agricultural...
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Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr. (FILE)
Agriculture

Plant Quarantine Act Modernisation Nearing Completion

The Plant Quarantine/Produce Inspection Branch is one step closer to completing the process of modernising the Plant Quarantine Act, to make it more comprehensive in dealing with protection and quarantine issues. Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr, said this amendment will result in Jamaica having a modern Plant Health Act, in accordance with international standards. “The draft...
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Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr. (centre), in discussion with Director of Agriculture and Fisheries at Food For the Poor, Nakhle Hado (right), while Chief Strategic Officer, Environmental Solutions Limited, Stephen Jones, looks on. They were in the process of observing a drone (foreground) being used to irrigate an onion farm in St. Thomas, during a tour on Thursday (February 16).
AgricultureTechnology

Agriculture Ministry Invites Investment in Drone Technology

The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries is inviting investment in drone technology to ramp up production in the agriculture sector. Speaking during a tour of onion farms in St. Thomas on Thursday (February 16), portfolio Minister, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr. said the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) is investing in two drones to assist farmers with irrigation, and the Ministry...
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Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr. (centre), in discussion with Director of Agriculture and Fisheries at Food For the Poor, Nakhle Hado (right), while Chief Strategic Officer, Environmental Solutions Limited, Stephen Jones, looks on. They were in the process of observing a drone (foreground) being used to irrigate an onion farm in St. Thomas, during a tour on Thursday (February 16).
Agriculture

Agriculture Ministry Heightening Praedial Larceny Prevention Efforts

Several measures are being implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries to heighten praedial larceny prevention and safeguard the sector. Portfolio Minister, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., told journalists during a tour of onion farms in St. Thomas on Thursday (February 16) that submissions are being made to Cabinet to assist in wiping out the illicit practice. “We are and...
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Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., addresses a Plant Quarantine Exporters’ Forum, held on February 14, at the Ministry’s offices in Kingston.
AgricultureFinance & Public Service

Fresh Produce Exports Earn US$78 Million Annually

The average annual export of Jamaica’s fresh produce industry is approximately 34.5 million kilogrammes (kg), with estimated earnings of US$78.32 million. Currently, Jamaica exports to more than 30 countries worldwide, with the United States of America (USA), Canada, the United Kingdom and Cayman Islands being the most important markets for Jamaican produce. “Yam export is a significant contributor to this...
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Governor-General, His Excellency, the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen, delivers the Throne Speech during the 2023/24 Ceremonial Opening of Parliament at Gordon House on Duke Street in downtown Kingston, on Tuesday (February 14).
AgricultureGovernor GeneralParliament

Increase in Agricultural Output

Agro-parks and production zones have recorded a 230 per cent increase in output for the 2022/23 fiscal year, compared to 2021/22. This was achieved following the Government’s provision of more than $1 billion to expand infrastructure and production in eight agro-parks and nine agro-economic Zones. Governor-General, His Excellency, the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen, who made the announcement, highlighted the...
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