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Agriculture and Fisheries Minister, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jnr, ‘smells the coffee’ while visiting the Jamaica Agricultural Commodities Regulatory Authority’s (JACRA) booth at AgroFest Jamaica on Saturday (May 28). The event was held at the Ministry’s Hope Gardens Complex in Kingston. At right is JACRA Administrator, Carline Wint-Mattison.

AgroFest Jamaica Returns

Scores of Jamaicans turned out for the return of AgroFest Jamaica, the annual show hosted by the Kingston and St Andrew Association of Branch Societies of the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS). Like many other large events, AgroFest, which was held...

Agriculture and Fisheries Minister, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jnr (right), observes as National Rums of Jamaica Limited Group Operations Manager, Michael Dunkley (left), pours a product sample during a visit to Clarendon Distillers Limited on Friday (May 27). Also looking on are State Minister in the Ministry of Agriculture, Hon. Franklin Witter (second left); and Chief Executive Officer, National Rums of Jamaica, Martha Miller.

National Rums Jamaica Looking to Expand Sugarcane Cultivation

The Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr (right), presents special appreciation award to Farmer, Maple Gladstone Lawrence, for over 50 years of dedicated service to the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS) Branch in St Ann during the eighth staging of the St. Ann Agricultural Industrial and Food Show at Port Rhoades Sport Club in Discovery Bay, St. Ann, on Thursday (May 26).

$670M Allocated for farm roads repair

Executive Chairman, Institute of Vocational and Professional Training (IVPT), Randy Finnikin (third left), shows a section of the Institute’s greenhouse to (from left), Jamaica Agricultural Society Vice President, Denton Alvaranga and General Operations Manager, Best Dressed Chicken Processing Plant, Steve Palmer. Looking on (at right, foreground) is Chairman of the Spring Village Development Foundation, Wayne Saunderson.

IVPT Now Has a School of Agriculture

Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr,. and State Minister, Hon. Franklin Witter, look at the interior of the new refrigerated truck acquired for the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) St. Elizabeth parish office. Five new vehicles, acquired for the office, were handed over at the Ministry in Kingston, recently.

RADA St. Elizabeth Gets Five New Vehicles

Agriculture and Fisheries Minister, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., addresses a recent post-Sectoral Debate press briefing at the Ministry’s Old Hope Road offices in Kingston.

4 years ago AgricultureFinance & Public Service

$1.07 Billion Reserved For Production Incentive Programme

A sum of $1.07 billion is to be funneled into the Production Incentive Programme this year as the Government continues to drive agricultural output. Agriculture and Fisheries Minister, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., made the disclosure during a recent post-Sectoral debate press briefing at the Ministry’s Old Hope Road offices in Kingston. The allocation for this year includes $258 million for...

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).

4 years ago Agriculture

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 2021. “As we seek to build a robust and resilient agriculture sector, the Ministry remains committed to supporting the development...

4 years ago 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...

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.

4 years ago Agriculture

Major Irrigation Scheme For Pedro Plains, St. Elizabeth

The sum of $304 million has been budgeted for the 2022/23 financial year to conduct activities for a major irrigation scheme, which will see water lifted from the Black River to the Pedro Plains of southern St. Elizabeth. Agriculture and Fisheries Minister, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., said the sum will also cover the cost for conducting surveys and cadastral mapping...

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.

4 years ago AgricultureParliamentSectoral Debate 2022/23

Increase In Production Of Selected Crops And Livestock

Production of selected crops and livestock has increased as part of a wider import-substitution strategy. Making his contribution to the 2022/23 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on May 17, Portfolio Minister, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., said the move will increase Jamaica’s food security in case of any fallout or disruption in the sector. He added that the Ministry...

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.

4 years ago AgricultureParliamentSectoral Debate 2022/23

Research For New Blends To Reduce Cost Of Fertiliser

The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries is collaborating with Jamaica’s main fertiliser manufacturer to guide research for the development of new blends that will maximise efficiency and reduce the cost for farmers. “Right now, our farmers, sadly, are utilising sometimes the wrong fertiliser and too much fertiliser. It is causing burning of our soil and it is constricting our productivity,”...

4 years ago AgricultureParliamentSectoral Debate 2022/23

Domestic Food Production Increased In 2021

The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries is reporting that despite the challenges of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the production of chicken meat, eggs, and domestic food crops increased in 2021 when compared to the corresponding period in 2020. Portfolio Minister, Pearnel Charles Jr., provided an update while making his contribution to the 2022/23 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives...