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The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries is encouraging more use of sweet potato as a healthy starch staple, based on the health and investment benefits of the product, as confirmed by research. Such benefits include its local availability, overseas demand and economic viability. Additionally, the fact that it is well accepted culturally, suggests that most consumers will be receptive to...

The Jamworld Fishing Village in Portmore should be completed by August to facilitate the relocation of fisherfolk, who ply their trade along the Causeway. A $72 million contract for the completion of works at the Jamworld complex, to facilitate the move, was signed yesterday (April 23) at the Ministry of Transport and Works' Maxfield Avenue office. The contract, which was...

Approximately 6,000 Jamaican men and women are expected to be employed on farms in Canada this year. Larkland Stone, Chief Liaison Officer at the Jamaica Liaison Service (JLS), which oversees the Farm Work Programme in Canada, said that the figure represented the same amount as last year. "At this time, based on projections and the fact that we have picked...

Jamalco has donated 50 bags of fertiliser along with sweet pepper, tomato and cucumber seeds valued at more than $150,000 to farmers in South Manchester. The items were handed over at a Farmer's Day held recently at Campbell's Castle All-age School in the parish, where the farmers also benefitted from training to improve agronomic practices in hot pepper production. Community...

The New Forest/Duff House Irrigation Society in Manchester staged their 2nd Annual Agricultural Expo on Thursday (April 16), showcasing produce from communities in the area. Chairman of the group, Simon Supersad, said that the annual event resulted from the need for farmers to organize and market their produce in a structured manner. "We are mobilising our resources to expose the...

Some 100 farmers from South St. Elizabeth and Manchester are to receive 1000-gallon polyethylene tanks, as Government seeks to increase farmers' access to irrigation water to boost agricultural production. The provision is being made under the Black Tank Project, which was launched yesterday (April 16) by the National Irrigation Commission (NIC), at the St. Steven's Anglican Church in Pedro Plains,...

Tourejon Food Processors Jamaica Limited, located at the Denbigh Industrial Estate, Clarendon, is one company that is helping to increase domestic food crops, while contributing to technology transfer. They received support under the domestic food crop production programme, currently administered by the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), on behalf of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries. Assistance is provided based...

Over 260 Jamaicans departed for Canada and the United States, today (April 15) to join the Ministry of Labour and Social Security's (MLSS) Overseas Employment Programme, as farm workers. About 166 persons left the Overseas Employment Office, East Street, Kingston, to join the programme in Canada, while another 96 left in the afternoon for the United States where they will...

The Coffee Industry Board (CIB), is recruiting some 3,000 new coffee farmers, as the Government moves to resuscitate the production of non-Blue Mountain Coffee. At a meeting held with farmers in Eastern Westmoreland on April 14 at the Enfield Primary School, Director General of the CIB Christopher Gentles, said that a number of initiatives were being put in place to...

Minister of Agriculture Dr. Christopher Tufton, has said that greater emphasis is now being placed on marketing in the agricultural sector, with the establishment of a marketing unit in the Ministry. "I am encouraging our farmers, all agricultural organisations, such as the Jamaica Agricultural Society, the Jamaica 4-H Clubs, and other related groups, to partner with the stakeholders of agriculture,...

It is no surprise that 19-year-old St. Elizabeth 4-H Clubbite, Whitney Smith, is an admirer of parishioner, Agriculture and Fisheries Minister, Dr. Christopher Tufton. She credits the Minister with the "rare talent of listening." "His humility and eagerness to listen, tell me that he is serious about his work as a representative of the people," she explains. Whitney recalls that...

Thirty-five 4-H Clubs in St. Mary participated in the Annual St. Mary 4-H Achievement Day activities, held at the Oracabessa High School, on April 7. The function, which featured a number of competitive and entertaining events, was held under the theme: 'Youth Response to Food Security'. Among the highlights of the day's activities was the selection of the St. Mary...