The Sugar Company of Jamaica Holdings (SCJH) has been tasked with accelerating the pace of reallocating lands formerly used for sugar-cane cultivation into alternative agricultural endeavours. Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Hon. Floyd Green, made the announcement during a press briefing at the Ministry’s offices in Kingston on Wednesday (January 31). “I must commend the SCJH, because we have...

The Agricultural Produce (Amendment) Act, which will facilitate the imposition of harsher penalties for praedial larceny, has been gazetted and is now in effect. Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Hon. Floyd Green, made the disclosure during a press briefing at the Ministry’s offices in Kingston on Wednesday (January 31). The maximum fine for breaches under the law has moved...

Head of the Praedial Larceny Prevention Coordination Unit, Superintendent Oral Pascoe, is urging farmers affected by praedial larceny to make reports to the police. “We have actually seen in some parishes where reports have gone up significantly. So, for example, in Trelawny we are seeing where there are over 80 reports of praedial larceny. Previously there was none,” Superintendent Pascoe...

The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining is looking to attract more young people to work and invest in the sector. Portfolio Minister, Hon. Floyd Green, said that getting the youth involved in agriculture is critical in securing the future of farming and food security on the island. “I would say that’s important. I’ve always said to people, why not...

Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Hon. Floyd Green, says the islandwide new FACE of Food Stakeholder sessions have served to highlight the commitment of farmers and fishers to the sector. The Ministry brought the curtains down on the sessions in the parish of Trelawny, recently. The 13th and final session, held at Glistening Waters, attracted several stakeholders and sought...

The Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) is urging Jamaicans to exercise due diligence when buying livestock, to avoid purchasing stolen animals. The call comes against the background of incidents of praedial larceny that have robbed farmers of their livestock and placed consumers at risk of buying stolen meat or live animals. Senior RADA Livestock Specialist, Maxine Brown, says persons should...

A team has been assembled at the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining’s Bodles Research Station in St. Catherine to advance work on the genetics of the Jamaica Hope cattle breed, given Jamaica’s changing climate. Portfolio Minister, Hon. Floyd Green, explained that “Jamaica was a big leader when we developed the Jamaica Hope, and the Jamaica Hope was the best...

Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Hon. Floyd Green, says that small ruminant genetic breeding can be a profitable enterprise for Jamaicans. Speaking on Friday (January 26) at the College of Agriculture, Science and Education (CASE) Founders’ Weekend in Portland, the Minister outlined that “a part of the small ruminant industry is that you don't have to do anything with...

The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining wants more farmers to get involved in goat rearing. Portfolio Minister, Hon. Floyd Green, said the small ruminant sector in Jamaica needs support to meet the local demand. “We love our curried goat, but about 80 per cent of that is imported. Often it is mutton or sheep. We are not meeting our...