Government support for agriculture will be strengthened this year to boost productivity and enhance the sector’s contribution to gross domestic product (GDP). Agriculture currently contributes about 8.3 per cent of GDP, and the aim is to get to the nine per cent mark, said Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining Minister, Hon. Floyd Green. “I believe that [this] will be an exceptional...

The Portland police is encouraging livestock farmers to make timely reports of thefts of their animals. Superintendent in charge of the parish, Lloyd Darby, said that too many farmers are making late reports, which hampers the ability of the police to nab those responsible for the theft. “Sometimes it is long after the fact that they get the police involved,”...

The Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) is encouraging private-sector support for the Backyard Gardening Programme. Under the initiative, kits containing seeds, fertiliser, chemicals and tools such as small forks and shovels, as well as information, are provided to interested persons across the island to support planting. Speaking at a recent JIS Think Tank, Chief Executive Officer at RADA, Winston Simpson,...

The Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) is encouraging farmers to increase security around their farms, especially during the festive season. Senior Livestock Specialist with RADA, Maxine Brown, said farmers can invest in technology to keep their farms safe. “Farmers can use motion detectors with lights, so when movement takes place the light will come on and alert you that something...

Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Hon. Floyd Green (left), presents a backyard gardening kit to Corporate Area resident Arlene Nelson, at the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) St. Andrew Parish Office on Monday (December 18). The Ministry, in collaboration with RADA, is continuing the ‘Backyard Garden Kit’ initiative with the aim to assist residents in urban and peri-urban areas...

The Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) is encouraging farmers to improve their disaster management practices, in light of recent earthquake activity jolting Jamaica. RADA Livestock Specialist, Maxine Brown, says general disaster management practices can be used to reduce damage caused by earthquakes, hurricanes, heavy rains and flooding. “After a natural hazard, farmers should make sure that they… and their families...

Plans are under way to expand the country’s animal tagging programme to include small ruminants. Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator the Hon. Kamina Johnson Smith, provided an update on the National Animal Identification and Traceability System while piloting the Agricultural Produce (Amendment) Act, 2023 in the Senate, recently. As a means of combatting praedial larceny, the Government...