The Banana Board has commenced distribution of fertiliser to 2,573 banana and plantain farmers who were impacted by the passage of Tropical Storm Grace in August. General Manager of the Banana Board, Janet Conie, told JIS News that the provision is being made through a $50-million grant from the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries at no cost to the farmers....

Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce with oversight responsibility for Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Audley Shaw, is encouraging farmers who were part of the sugar industry to pivot into planting other crops. “The sugar industry has been in decline, but I want to use this opportunity to remind everyone, including our farmers [that] there are other opportunities. Everywhere sugar cane...

Persons requesting pest risk analysis services from the Plant Quarantine/Produce Inspection Branch of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries are now required to do so through the Jamaica Single Window for Trade (JSWIFT) platform. “So, persons wishing to import a plant product that has not been imported into Jamaica before or you are importing a product that we have already...

Jamaica is to benefit from the Sustainable Agriculture in the Caribbean (SAC) Project, launched today (October 28). The virtual event was hosted by lead agency World University Service of Canada (WUSC). SAC is a multi-country economic growth initiative funded by the Government of Canada through Global Affairs Canada (GAC) and is being implemented in Jamaica, Guyana, Dominica, Saint Lucia and...

President of the Jamaica Association of Public Health Inspectors (JAPHI), Karen Brown, is encouraging backyard poultry farmers to obtain a butcher’s licence. Speaking at a Jamaica Information Service (JIS) Think Tank at the agency's regional office in Montego Bay, St. James, recently, Ms Brown said that while licensing is not yet mandatory for this group, it is important in order...

The Government is expanding support for young people pursuing training and other engagements in agriculture. Minister with responsibility for Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Audley Shaw, said that $120 million has been allocated to the College of Agriculture, Science and Education (CASE) in Portland, as part of a commitment to facilitating development within educational institutions. Additionally, he said the Ministry will...

The Rural Youth Economic Empowerment Programme (RYEEP) will be expanded to provide more young people with the necessary training, along with the requisite tools, so that they can pursue successful agricultural businesses. Minister with responsibility for Agriculture and Fisheries, the Hon. Audley Shaw, said that the move is in keeping with the Government’s commitment to increase youth engagement in the...