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In a recent interview regarding the delay in the importation of the second batch of fertilizer, the Minister of Agriculture explained that the setback was as a result of a directive from the Office of the Contractor General to open the procurement process. The fact however, is that the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce and the Jamaica Commodity Trading...

The Social Development Commission (SDC), St. Elizabeth Parish Office, in partnership with the Jamaica Information Service (JIS), will be staging an Agri- Business Expo on February 19, at the Santa Cruz Community Centre, in the parish. This will be staged to sensitise unemployed young people in the parish about agri-business opportunities that exist in two non-traditional agricultural areas, namely bee-keeping...

Proceeds of a coffee festival held recently in Cedar Valley, St. Thomas, are to be donated to the Cedar Valley Primary and Junior High School, to aid in the erection of a perimeter fence, as part of the school's security management strategy. Some $80,000, proceeds from two festivals, will be given to the school at a special handing over ceremony...

The Ministry of Agriculture today (Feb.17) launched its HIV/AIDS Workplace Policy, joining the list of Government and private sector organisations that have taken a stand against HIV/AIDS discrimination in the workplace. The programme, through a collaborative and culturally sensitive approach, is committed to reducing the incidence and impact of HIV and AIDS, and creating a caring and supportive environment where...

Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Christopher Tufton, on Friday (February 13) reopened the Calabash and Great Bays fishing facilities in St. Elizabeth, which were done at a cost of over $10 million. Work on the projects included upgrading of gear sheds, installation of security grille, installation of electrical wires and meter box, to facilitate reconnection of electricity which was out for...

The agricultural sector recorded the most growth in the final quarter of 2008, Director General of the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ), Dr. Wesley Hughes has disclosed. Dr. Hughes said that the 7.5% increase in real value added in agriculture, forestry and fishing, October-November 2008, was due largely to the lowering of some input prices and favourable weather conditions. He...

The Fisheries Division of the Ministry of Agriculture, has acquired a motorcycle, which will enhance its capacity to manage and protect Jamaica's fisheries resources. Speaking Wednesday (Feb.11) at the handing over ceremony, at the Ministry, Hope Gardens, Kingston, Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Christopher Tufton, thanked The Nature Conservancy (TNC) for donating the motorcycle. "One of the big challenges that the...

Some 2,000 farmers in four of the parishes hardest hit during the passage of Tropical Storm Gustav last year, are to benefit from the Ministry of Agriculture's US$3.2 million ($278.4 million) agricultural rehabilitation assistance programme, which is being funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Agriculture Minister, Dr. Christopher Tufton, and Director of the USAID Mission in...

The Consulate General in New York in the United States of America (USA), continues its 'Arts & Literary Salon' series this Thursday (Feb. 12), featuring the book 'Nyam Jamaica' by Rosemary Parkinson. The event, which will begin at 6:30 p.m. will entail a book presentation and signing followed by a reception. 'Nyam Jamaica' is a 424-page tome, which takes the...

McGrath High School, Treadways, St Catherine, will hold its first agricultural fair on Thursday, February 12, under the theme 'Eat What You Grow: Grow What You Eat'. Principal, Cynthia Anderson told JIS News that, as the school is in a farming community, the fair will demonstrate to the community, successful ventures which have been undertaken in modern agriculture and food...

As Jamaica weathers the current economic challenges, key leaders must understand their role in working to overcome the difficulties that have been created, according to Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Christopher Tufton. The minister, who was the keynote speaker at a Manchester Chamber of Commerce function at the Golf View Hotel, Mandeville, on Thursday(February 5), said that with sound policy direction...

The Ministry of Agriculture will be establishing pepper mashers, in an effort to satisfy the increasing demand for mashed hot peppers in the agro-processing trade. Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Christopher Tufton, said the Ministry, through its Agricultural Support Services Project (ASSP) unit, has written a proposal to secure funding for one such facility, which would be operated as a business....