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Banana and Plantain Farmer, Winsome Crosdale-Delaney, speaking at a recent JIS Think Tank.

Farmer Hails Banana Board’s Continued Support

Portland-based banana and plantain farmer, Winsome Crosdale Delaney, is lauding the Banana Board for the invaluable support provided in enabling her to boost production. Speaking to JIS News in a recent interview, she said over the past 12 years, the...

Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Hon. Floyd Green (second left), with representatives from the Papine High School 4-H Club during the 2023 Agricultural Show (Agrofest) for Kingston and St. Andrew. They are (from left) students, Andrew Matthewson, Grade 10; Jessica Williamson, Grade 11; Rihanna Simpson, Grade 11, and Terome Rookwooe, Grade 10; and Agricultural Science teacher, Mark Jones. The event was held on the Ministry’s playfield in Kingston, on Saturday (May 27).

Special Emphasis on Farm Roads This Year

Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Hon. Floyd Green (left), views the aquaponic display at the Jamaica 4-H Clubs booth, during a tour at the Kingston and St. Andrew Agricultural Show (Agrofest), held on Saturday (May 27) at the Ministry’s playfield in Kingston. Others (from second left) are Regional Manager, Eastern Region, Jamaica 4-H Clubs, Alain Cox and President, Association of Branch Societies (ABS), Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS), Albert Green.

Agriculture Ministry to Address Challenges in Drought Mitigation Plan

Outgoing Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr. (right), examines a package of breadfruit while viewing a display of locally produced items, during the opening ceremony for the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)-hosted Bridging Organizations and Networks Development (BOND) Learning Guide for Trainers Workshop, on Monday (May 22) at the Medallion Hall Hotel in Kingston. Looking on is event facilitator and chair, Hedda Rose Dunkley.

FAO Hosting Bridging Organisations and Networks Development Farmers Workshop

General Manager of the Banana Board, Janet Conie, speaks at a recent JIS ‘Think Tank’.

Banana Farmers Urged to Increase Surveillance for Pests and Diseases

Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr. (third left), hands the first-place trophy to the 4-H Girl of the Year, Natoya Williams (third right), while Boy of the Year, Ishmael Smythe (fourth right), looks on. The two, who were crowned during the National 4-H Achievement Day Expo at the Denbigh Showground on May 12, also received a monetary prize. Sharing in the moment are (from left) Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Dermon Spence; Acting Executive Director of the Jamaica 4-H Clubs, Garfield Ewart; Chairman of the Board of the Jamaica 4-H Clubs, Collin Virgo and Emcee, Tishauna Mullings.

3 years ago AgricultureYouth

Agriculture Minister Commends Jamaica 4-H Clubs for Championing Youth in Agriculture

Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., has heaped praises on the Jamaica 4-H Clubs for the organisation’s commitment to promoting the engagement of young people in the agriculture sector. Addressing Friday’s (May 12) National 4-H Achievement Day Expo at the Denbigh Showground in Clarendon, where the best of youth in agriculture from across Jamaica was highlighted and...

Land Management Officer at the Rural Agricultural Development Authority, Robert Tulloch (left), with Compost Expo patron, Carolyn Stewart. The Expo was held at the National Solid Waste Management Authority’s head office in Kingston on May 12.

3 years ago Agriculture

Backyard Gardeners Encouraged to Use Compost to Boost Plant Health

The Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) is encouraging backyard gardeners to utilise composting to boost soil nutrients. Composting is the process of decomposing organic solid wastes. The resulting compost, a dark, crumbly, rich material, which is used as a fertiliser, improves the soil’s composition. Land Management Officer at RADA, Robert Tulloch, says composting is an excellent way for persons in...

Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr. (right); Group President and Chief Executive Officer of Jamaica Broilers Group, Christopher Levy (left) and Vice President, Best Dressed Chicken Division, Dave Fairman, show off baby chicks during a ceremony for the reopening of the upgraded Cumberland Hatchery in Portmore, St. Catherine, on May 10. Joining them is Vice President of the Hi-Pro Division, Colonel (Retired) Jaimie Ogilvie.

3 years ago Agriculture

Best Dressed Chicken’s $200-Million Hatchery Upgrade A Boost for Poultry Sector

The almost $200-million expansion of Best Dressed Chicken’s Cumberland Hatchery in Portmore is being hailed by Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., as a major boost for the agriculture sector. The expansion increases the hatchery’s capacity by 70 per cent, allowing the company to better meet the demands of the local market and, particularly, small poultry farmers,...

This St. Thomas resident displays some of the onions from the massive yield produced by farmers in the parish.

3 years ago AgriculturePrime Minister

Prime Minister Lauds St. Thomas Farmers for Outstanding Onion Production

Onion farmers in St. Thomas are being lauded by Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, for their continuous strides in production, including their recent massive crop. Speaking during his latest visit to the parish for the handover of a social housing unit, Mr. Holness said, “I could not come into St. Thomas without also mentioning the progress that you...

Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr. (right), greets Assistant General Manager of GK General Insurance Company Limited, Jordon Tait, at a ceremony to handover a cheque to the company, for the provision of farmer insurance. The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries has committed to give its full support to the first 1,000 farmers (700 males and 300 females) and youths below the age of 29, who signed up with GK Weather Protect Policy. The ceremony was held at the Ministry’s offices in Kingston on May 4.

3 years ago AgricultureHealth & Wellness

PHOTOS: Agriculture Ministry presents cheque to GK General Insurance Company Limited

Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr. (right), greets Assistant General Manager of GK General Insurance Company Limited, Jordon Tait, at a ceremony to handover a cheque to the company, for the provision of farmer insurance. The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries has committed to give its full support to the first 1,000 farmers (700 males and 300...

Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr. (right), along with (from left), Kingston and St. Andrew Association of Branch Societies Executive Member, Lansford Moore, and Market Development Officer at H&L Agro, Kingsley Palmer, display market produce during the launch of AgroFest 2023, at the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), St. Andrew Parish Office on May 5.

3 years ago Agriculture

PHOTOS: Agriculture Minister Launches AgroFest 2023

Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr. (right), along with (from left), Kingston and St. Andrew Association of Branch Societies Executive Member, Lansford Moore, and Market Development Officer at H&L Agro, Kingsley Palmer, display market produce during the launch of AgroFest 2023, at the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), St. Andrew Parish Office on May 5.

Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., addresses Wednesday’s (May 3) post-Sectoral Debate press briefing at the Ministry office in Kingston.

3 years ago Agriculture

Agriculture Ministry Placing Renewed Focus on Storage and Cold Chain Facilities

The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries will be placing renewed focus on the island’s storage and cold chain facilities to extend the quality, nutritional value, and shelf life of produce. To this end, Portfolio Minister, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., says the Ministry is looking to rehabilitate the Colleyville cold storage facility in Mandeville, Manchester. The establishment of proper drying facilities...