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A pilot project of tagging and providing a 'passport' for animals in the cattle industry, to prevent praedial larceny as well as diseases, has been progressing smoothly since its introduction in September 2005. Implemented under the Animal Identification System, plastic and metal tags have been affixed to the ear of each head of cattle, with numbers to indicate parish and...

As the campaign against praedial larceny gains momentum islandwide, members of the farming community in Portland are strengthening their co-operation with the Police to eliminate the problem in the parish. The problem of praedial larceny is particularly rampant in the communities of Mount Pleasant and Hope Bay, with the perpetrators depriving the farmers of their crops. Hilma Wedderburn, the Jamaica...

The historic Holland Bamboo Avenue in St. Elizabeth is being given a face-lift, by the Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo), Ministry of Agriculture and the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA). Hurricane Ivan, which lashed the island in 2004, seriously damaged the bamboo trees, as did a number of illicit bush fires, resulting in a marked decline of the plants....

Approximately 85 hectares of tree crops such as ackee, sour sop, breadfruit and june plum were planted in Hanover last year, under the Ministry of Agriculture's Fruit Tree Crop Programme. Parish manager for the Rural Agricultural Development Authority's (RADA) Hanover office, Bernard Goffe, told JIS News that although the farmers fell short of the target of 90 hectares, the "project...

The Research and Development Division (RDD) of the Ministry of Agriculture has put measures in place to eradicate three of the pests and viruses, which affect hot pepper, a non-traditional crop, which contributes more than US$1 million to the economy. The initiatives, which are being undertaken at an annual cost of some $500,000, comprise tackling the pepper gall midge, broad...

Plans are in high gear for the 19th staging of the St. Mary Agri Expo, which is slated for April 16 and 17 at James Bond Beach. The annual show, which is sponsored by the St. Mary branch of the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS), is designed to showcase the best of agricultural production in the parish. Among the major attractions...

Work is proceeding smoothly on the Pedro Plains irrigation project in St. Elizabeth for which Prime Minister P.J. Patterson broke ground in January of 2005. The project forms part of the government's National Irrigation Development Master Plan (NIDP), which is being piloted by the National Irrigation Commission (NIC), with a view to increase farmer participation in the agricultural sector. The...

The Ministry of Agriculture has given its support to the development of the local organic agriculture sector through an investment of $20 million in the National Organic Agriculture Enhancement Project (NOAEP). The funds will assist with the development of a national policy on organic agriculture, international and local organic certification, as well as research and development. Speaking with JIS News,...

Farmers have been encouraged to make better use of modern technology, so as to obtain better yields. Speaking yesterday (November 29) at a special agricultural expo and field day for students at Lacovia High School, St. Elizabeth Homecoming Foundation (SEHF) Director, Dr. Randolph Watson stressed that it was high time for farmers in the country to take a more business...

The Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS) is reporting that it does not foresee an extensive shortage of vegetables and pulses, in light of the recent rains, which has caused problems in the agricultural sector. As a result, the JAS is urging supermarket chains not to rush to import agricultural produce. Speaking with JIS News, President of the JAS, Senator Norman Grant...

The Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), in its preliminary release, has reported that crops valued at $9.37 million were destroyed as a result of the recent heavy rains and flooding. While the northern parishes were not as badly affected as the southern, the parishes of Clarendon, St. Catherine, St. Andrew, St. Thomas, St. Elizabeth, Manchester and Westmoreland were most affected....

A large crowd turned up at the Ministry of Agriculture's Hope Gardens headquarters in Kingston this morning (Sept. 29) for the one-day exposition highlighting the country's food safety and food security system. Over a dozen booths were on display, showcasing the Ministry's various initiatives, projects and services, including its state of the art export facilities. The large turnout of supporters,...