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Opposition Spokesperson on Agriculture, Roger Clarke, has recommended that the Government accelerate its land reform and divestment programme to stimulate agricultural production. Mr. Clarke also urged the Government to identify parcels of land it owns in each parish, and distribute them, by way of reversible lease, to small farmers. "Any farmer occupying Government lands and not producing, give it to...

President of the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS), Senator Norman Grant, has reiterated the commitment of the organisation to empowering farmers and facilitating increased production within the agricultural sector. Giving the main address at the 100th annual general meeting and 10th farmers' exposition of the Portland Association of Branch Societies, held recently at the JAS compound in Port Antonio, Senator Grant...

The country's food security has been further strengthened with the opening of a new Molecular Biology Laboratory, at the Veterinary Services Division of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, in Kingston. Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Dr. Christopher Tufton, who officially opened the laboratory today (April 29), said the facility will help with the "detection of genetic diseases and diseases...

Hemsley "Bookie" Johnston, a Clarendon farmer who turned 101 years old on Valentine's Day, has been recognised by the Jamaica 4-H Clubs for service to the Movement and the agricultural sector. Mr. Johnston was presented with a special award at the 4-H Clubs' National Achievement Day and Expo, at the Denbigh Showgrounds, Clarendon, on Friday, April 24. He was hailed...

Fifty two year-old Ansel Williams from Trelawny, is an accomplished yam farmer, who has made a 'decent' livelihood out of his lifelong occupation, which began when he was just 13 years old. He proudly cites many creditable achievements, which were made possible as a result of his efforts, and the accumulation of savings from his 'yam money' over many years....

Jamaica's National Emergency Animal Disease Committee is monitoring local pig farmers to ensure that all safety measures are in place to protect animal and public health in light of the outbreak of swine flu in Mexico and other countries. Director of the Veterinary Services Division of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Dr. Osbil Watson, told JIS News that there...

When the Jamaican/Canadian Farm Work Programme started in 1966, H.W. Smith Holdings Limited was one of the first holdings to accept Jamaican workers. Eight of the 264 Jamaicans, who travelled to Canada that first year, worked on the farm located in St. Catharines, Ontario. So impressed were the owners by the hard work of the Jamaicans, that over the 43...

Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Dr. Christopher Tufton, has said that beef production is slated for increased attention by the Ministry this financial year, with new initiatives being added to those already implemented for the dairy sector. Dr. Tufton said the Ministry would be focussing on investing and marketing, technical support, abattoirs and traceability for food safety and health....

A formal agreement signed in 1999 between bauxite alumina company, ALPART and the Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI) led to the establishment of the Sam Motta Goat and Sheep Demonstration Training Centre (SMGSDTC) in Knockpatrick, Central Manchester. The centre, which is named after Sam Motta, a livestock scientist who contributed to the introduction of forage evaluation and utilisation...

The commitment to establish a youth arm of the Red Poll Cattle Breeders Society in member countries including Jamaica, and successful embryo transfers for a local breeder, were two of the main highlights of the 12th World Red Poll Congress taking place in Jamaica. This was disclosed by Chairman of the Jamaica Red Poll Cattle Breeders Society, Dr. Karl Wellington...

The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries is enlisting the help of animal owners, particularly dog owners in ensuring the eradication of screwworms. Despite the continued success of the National Screwworm Eradication Programme, (NSEP) in employing measures to rid the country of the new world screwworm fly, the lack of full participation from dog owners, has been a major setback. This...

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...