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State Minister in the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Franklin Witter (right), and Co-Executive Director, Food For the Poor, Kivette Silvera, visit a booth during World Bee Day 2022 activities at the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries’ Kingston office on Friday (May 20).
State Minister in the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Franklin Witter (right), and Co-Executive Director, Food For the Poor, Kivette Silvera, visit a booth during World Bee Day 2022 activities at the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries’ Kingston office on Friday (May 20).

Agriculture Ministry Provides $10-Million Feed Subsidy for Bee Farmers

Jamaica’s bee farmers are being encouraged to take advantage of a $10-million subsidy from the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries to support the purchase of feed. State Minister, Hon. Franklin Witter, said the sum allocated doubles the amount provided in...
Agriculture and Fisheries Minister, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., addresses the Ministry’s post Sectoral Debate media briefing, on May 18 at its Old Hope Road offices in Kingston and online.
Agriculture and Fisheries Minister, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., addresses the Ministry’s post Sectoral Debate media briefing, on May 18 at its Old Hope Road offices in Kingston and online.

Major Irrigation Scheme For Pedro Plains, St. Elizabeth
Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., makes his contribution to the 2022/23 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on May 17.
Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., makes his contribution to the 2022/23 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on May 17.

Increase In Production Of Selected Crops And Livestock
Agriculture and Fisheries Minister, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., making his contribution to the 2022/23 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on Tuesday, May 17.
Agriculture and Fisheries Minister, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., making his contribution to the 2022/23 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on Tuesday, May 17.

Research For New Blends To Reduce Cost Of Fertiliser
Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., makes his contribution to the 2022/23 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on May 17.
Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., makes his contribution to the 2022/23 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on May 17.

Domestic Food Production Increased In 2021

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AgricultureFisheries

Agriculture Ministry Calls on Jamaicans to Protect Bees

The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries is calling on Jamaicans to safeguard the island’s food security by protecting honeybees. On May 20, the world will recognise World Bee Day under the theme ‘Bee Engaged: Celebrating the diversity of bees and beekeeping systems’. Chief Plant Protection Officer in the Apiculture Unit of the Ministry, Hugh Smith, said “the more pollinators we...
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Jamaica’s agriculture sector is slated to benefit from millions of dollars in support to bolster food security by strengthening the country’s agricultural output and improving sustainability and resilience within the sector. The initiatives, to be implemented through partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), include a $38-million Food Loss and Waste (FLW) Reduction programme that will focus on strengthening food value chain operations. It is part of strategic food security actions for the new fiscal year. “That will speak to a strategy for reducing food losses along value chains, supporting our farmers to reduce post-harvest losses, and extending produce shelf-life to ensure enhanced farm and household cash inflows,” said Agriculture and Fisheries Minister, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr. He was making his contribution to the 2022/23 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on Tuesday (May 17). The Ministry will also be collaborating with the FAO to undertake projects to improve phytosanitary, food safety and market access opportunities along the hot pepper value chain, with funding of $152 million, and improve rural livelihoods through resilient agri-food systems, at a cost of $152 million. The partnership will also include the $45-million Rocky Point Fishing Beach Improvement Project to include provision of landing equipment, fish cleaning and storage facilities, mangrove protection, as well as training for users, and the identification of two technical projects valued at $37 million for implementation across the sector. (more) Jamaica Gets…2 In the meantime, Minister Charles Jr. informed that under the South-South Cooperation Programme, which is a partnership with FAO, China and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), Jamaica will benefit from a project valued at approximately US$2 million. It is aimed at strengthening post coronavirus (COVID-19) recovery policies and programmes that facilitate better decision-making; promoting digitalisation and ecommerce strategies among farmers and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs); and providing inputs for digitalisation of rural areas and for participation in the United Nations’ 1,000 Digital Village Initiative as a post COVID-19 measure. The Minister noted that the FAO has greatly assisted the sector with technical training, funding of programmes and initiatives, and its continued support in the upcoming year in key focus areas is in line with the organisation’s thrust to support food security in the region.
AgricultureParliamentSectoral Debate 2022/23

Jamaicans Get Funding To Strengthen Food Security, Agriculture Resilience

Jamaica’s agriculture sector is slated to benefit from millions of dollars in support to bolster food security by strengthening the country’s agricultural output and improving sustainability and resilience within the sector. The initiatives, to be implemented through partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), include a $38-million Food Loss and Waste (FLW) Reduction programme that will focus on strengthening...
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Agriculture and Fisheries Minister, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., making his contribution to the 2022/23 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on Tuesday, May 17.
AgricultureParliamentSectoral Debate 2022/23

Agriculture Minister Announces New ‘Grow Smart, Eat Smart’ Campaign

The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries is introducing a new campaign dubbed ‘Grow Smart, Eat Smart’ as part of the national food security thrust. The initiative will target several priority areas, among them crop production, climate-smart practices and technologies, access to finance, and advancing and expanding insurance for farmers, with a focus on praedial larceny. It will also facilitate development...
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Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr. (second right), presents Jamaica 4-H Clubs’ Portland Parish Manager, Norma Myers (second left), with the Clover Award for Portland Club volunteer, Carlene Hardy. Occasion was the Clubs’ National Achievement Exposition, held at the Denbigh Showground in Clarendon on Friday (May 13). Others sharing the moment (from left) are Executive Director of the 4-HClubs, Dr. Ronald Blake and Chairman of the organisation, Colin Virgo.
Agriculture

Agriculture Minister Lauds 4-H Clubs

The Jamaica 4-H Clubs is being lauded for its work in preparing young people to pursue careers in the agriculture industry and contributing to the country’s efforts to achieve food security. Speaking at the Clubs’ National Achievement Exposition held at the Denbigh Showground in Clarendon on Friday (May 13), Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., said that...
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Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., addressing the recent Agriculturalist’s Distinguished Women in Agriculture Awards Ceremony, held at the Medallion Hall Hotel in Kingston.
AgricultureGender AffairsYouth

New Agri Programme For Women And Youth

The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries will be partnering with the World University Service of Canada (WUSC) to increase female participation in the livestock industry. Portfolio Minister, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., said this will take place under the WUSC’s Sustainable Agriculture in the Caribbean (SAC) Project. The project aims to promote climate-resilient agriculture for equitable economic growth and increased economic...
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Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., addressing the recent Agriculturalist’s Distinguished Women in Agriculture Awards Ceremony, held at the Medallion Hall Hotel in Kingston.
Agriculture

Agriculture Ministry to Partner with World University Service of Canada

The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries will be partnering with the World University Service of Canada (WUSC) to increase female participation in the livestock industry. Portfolio Minister, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr. said this will take place under the WUSC's Sustainable Agriculture in the Caribbean (SAC) Project. The project aims to promote climate-resilient agriculture for equitable economic growth and increased economic...
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Agriculture and Fisheries Minister, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr. (left) inspects a green pepper at an event held recently at the Ministry’s Hope Gardens Complex, to observe the International Day of Plant Health under the theme ‘Protecting plants, protecting life’. Looking on (from second left) are Minister of Planning, Agriculture, Housing and Infrastructure for the Cayman Islands, Hon. Johany Ebanks, Minister of State in the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries. Hon. Frank Witter, and Marketing Student, Knockalva Polytechnic College, Kay Ann Chin.
Agriculture

Work Underway to Ensure Optimal Operations at Seed Storage Facility

The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries is reporting that work is underway to ensure optimal operations at the country's newly renovated seed storage facility, located at the Bodles Research Station. Portfolio Minister, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr. who made the disclosure, said activities being undertaken at the facility include in-vitro conservation, as well as in field germplasm. In-vitro techniques are used...
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