Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., says the Ministry’s ‘Grow Smart, Eat Smart’ campaign aims to drive resilience in the sector. Mr. Charles was making his contribution to a panel discussion held during a Ministers’ Summit at the World Free Zones Organization (World FZO) AICE Conference 2022, in Montego Bay, St. James, on Wednesday (June 15). “We...

The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries is assessing the local honeybee stock for the presence of Africanised bees. State Minister, Hon. Franklin Witter, said that, to date, “DNA samples have been collected for genetic analysis. Preliminary results have been received and a final report will be made to the stakeholders as soon as the DNA tests are completed in full”....

The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries is planting 2,000 fruit trees across the island in a bid to increase habitats for honeybees. The move comes as the vagaries of climate change, such as excessive rainfall and high wind, reduce the honeybees' access to nectar and pollen, thereby affecting the country’s output in honey production. State Minister, Hon. Franklin Witter, said...

The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries is providing support to bee farmers in protecting their hives from pests that could threaten the industry. “The management of pests such as the varroa mites and the small hive beetles forms a great part of the work being done by the Apiculture Unit,” said State Minister, Hon. Franklin Witter. “This is executed through...

The Jamaica 4-H Clubs National Female and Male Youth Farmers, Chelisa Osbourne and Julio Gordon, are ready to invest their winnings into expanding their pepper and goat enterprises, respectively. The duo copped the coveted titles at the 4-H Clubs National Achievement Expo held recently at the Denbigh Showground in Clarendon, taking home cash and prizes valued at over two million...

Jamaican women in Agriculture are to benefit from the advocacy and mentorship of the newly launched ‘Association of Phenomenal Women’ by the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS). Since 2018, the JAS has been selecting impactful women across the country for its ‘Phenomenal Women in Agriculture’ award. With this field of candidates, the organisation has identified the need for a dedicated entity...

The Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS) on Wednesday (June 8) awarded 20 women from across different areas of influence in the country’s agricultural sector, for the sterling contributions they have made to drive the industry forward. The awards were handed out during the annual ‘Women in Agriculture’ conference at the Terra Nova All-Suite Hotel in Kingston, under the theme “The Achievers”....

Agriculture and Fisheries Minister, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., has hailed the private sector as a critical partner in the expansion of the local dairy industry. He noted that entities such as Serge Island and Trade Winds Citrus Limited (Tru Juice), are “playing their part in driving the industry to regain the pride of place that it once held in Jamaica's...

The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, through the Praedial Larceny Prevention Unit, is ramping up efforts to curb the theft of agricultural produce across Jamaica. Addressing farmers at the eighth staging of the St. Ann Agricultural, Industrial and Food Show at Port Rhoades Sports Club in Discovery Bay, St. Ann, on May 26, Portfolio Minister, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., said...