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...

The Agricultural Produce (Amendment) Act, which will facilitate the imposition of harsher penalties for praedial larceny, was passed in the Senate on Friday (December 15). The maximum fine for breaches under the law will now move from $250,000 or three months in prison, to $3million or three years in prison. In piloting the legislation, Leader of Government Business in the...

Three young agricultural entrepreneurs have been awarded by the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) for establishing outstanding enterprises and blazing a trail in the local agriculture sector. Taking the top prize was 28-year-old Kacheif Brown, a goat and cattle farmer from Westmoreland, whose modern goathouse is equipped with special pens and guarded by canine security. In second place...