The Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) is urging persons in eastern Jamaica to increase agricultural output to help protect the island’s food security. Hurricane Melissa devastated western parishes and this is expected to hamper food production and availability, with scarcity driving up prices. Senior Plant Health and Food Safety Officer with RADA, Francine Webb, said increased production in the east...

The Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) is calling all livestock farmers in Santa Cruz and surrounding areas to attend a Pop-Up Livestock Clinic at its St. Elizabeth Parish Office, 63 Coke Drive, on Wednesday (November 12). Speaking with JIS News, Livestock Specialist at RADA, Maxine Brown, said that activities will begin 10:00 a.m. “What we’ll be doing is working with...

Less than two weeks since the passage of Hurricane Melissa and Leroy Blake, a small farmer from Whitby district in Williamsfield, Manchester, was on his farm, cleaning and clearing fallen trees and other debris from the two-acre property. He was also seeing what could be salvaged from his round leaf yam crop, which had taken a beating from the high...

Following the recent passage of Hurricane Melissa, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, through the National Irrigation Commission Limited (NIC) has commenced distribution of free non-potable water to farming communities that have been significantly impacted. Distribution is now underway at the Beacon 1, Beacon 2 and Hounslow filling stations in St. Elizabeth, and the New Forest filling station in...

The Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) has mobilised to provide critical technical support and conduct comprehensive damage assessments for farmers impacted by the recent passage of Hurricane Melissa. The major category-five storm made landfall in New Hope, Westmoreland, on Tuesday (October 28) with maximum sustained winds estimated at 295 kilometres per hour (185 miles per hour), devastating western parishes and...

The Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) is urging farmers across Jamaica to complete their final rounds of preparation as Hurricane Melissa draws closer to the country. Director of Public Relations and Communication, Camille Beckford, told JIS News that RADA has been in constant communication with farmers, providing practical guidance to help them safeguard their crops and livestock. The entity has...

The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining has activated its emergency protocols and has convened its disaster management and mitigation committee in preparation for Hurricane Melissa. Portfolio Minister, Hon. Floyd Green, made the disclosure during a press briefing on Saturday (Oct. 25) at Jamaica House. He implored farmers and fishers to follow the Ministry’s advisories in their preparations for the...