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 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...

Farmers across the island are being urged to look out for diseases that can affect their crops following tropical storm Melissa. Heavy rainfall creates ideal conditions for pests and pathogens to thrive, damaging crops and causing setbacks to the productivity of fields. Senior Plant Health and Food Safety Officer with the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), Francine Webb, said the...

The Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) is encouraging farmers across the island to harvest mature crops ahead of tropical storm Melissa, to minimise loss. In an interview with JIS News, Senior Plant Health and Food Safety Officer with RADA, Francine Webb, said at this time, fields will be in various stages of production. “If you have crops that are near...

Cultivation of the Wambugu apple variety in Jamaca could cut the import bill for the fruit, which amounts to hundreds of million each year, says Chief Executive Officer of the Agro-Investment Corporation (AIC), Vivion Scully. “Jamaica imported over 1.4 million kilograms of apples last year, costing us more than $260 million and you can do the conversion in US dollars....

The Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) is urging farmers across the island to prepare themselves and their farms for the passing of Tropical Storm Melissa. As of Tuesday, October 21, at 2:00 p.m., a Meteorological Service of Jamaica Bulletin indicated that a Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for the island, with Tropical Storm Melissa moving over the Caribbean Sea,...

Farmers in St. Ann are calling on their colleagues across Jamaica to seek knowledge and upskill their talent in agro-processing, as a means to create value-added products from their produce. The appeal comes as farmers gathered at the Claremont Seventh-day Adventist Church in the parish on October 16, for a jerk seasoning processing workshop, organised by the Scientific Research Council...