Jamaica will host the 32nd Latin American and Caribbean Forestry Commission (LACFC) meeting from September 6 to 10. The biennial event, which is to be held virtually, will bring together experts and regional decision makers for discussions on, among other things, the coronavirus’ (COVID-19) impact on forestry and communities, and post-pandemic recovery efforts. Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, and Minister of Housing,...

     

External demand for Jamaican agricultural produce and value-added items continues to increase, despite the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. This was disclosed by Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Floyd Green, during the virtual launch of the Agriculture Trade Enforcement Advisory Mechanism (ATEAM), on Thursday (September 2). Mr. Green informed that for the January to April 2021 quarter, Jamaica earned US$10 million...

The Agro-Investment Corporation (Agro-Invest) has been working to link and maintain linkages between farmers and new agro processors and purveyors, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This move forms part of Agro-Invest’s approach to innovate marketing methods for suppliers of local produce. Marketing and Communications Manager at Agro-Invest, Alecia Brown Forbes, said the pandemic has brought about quite a number...

The Scientific Research Council (SRC) of Jamaica, the principal public sector agency responsible for the fostering and coordination of scientific research and the promotion of its application, has signed a collaborative agreement with the International Trade Centre (ITC), Geneva, Switzerland. The primary goal of this Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is to increase smallholder farmer and agro-processor productivity and incomes through...

Participants in the Agro-Investment Corporation’s (Agro-Invest) Youth in Agriculture Programme are slated to benefit from local and international food-safety certification. The Programme aims to support the future of farming in Jamaica by providing resources and expertise to select young farmers, with 50 young persons aged 18 to 35 currently participating. Marketing and Communications Manager at Agro-Invest, Alecia Brown-Forbes, says additional...

The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries is reporting a 20.3 per cent increase in domestic crop production for the April to June 2021 quarter, over the corresponding period last year. Portfolio Minister, Hon. Floyd Green, said outputs moved from 170,027 tonnes in 2020 to 204,594.8 tonnes this year. “The quarter has produced a new record for domestic crop production. For...