Farmers across the country are being advised to be on high alert for an increase in the beet armyworm population. Spodoptera exigua, more commonly known as the beet armyworm, is a destructive pest of onion and scallion in Jamaica. Senior Plant Health and Food Safety Officer with the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), Francine Webb, said the pest population is...

Up to 10 per cent of the housing solutions in the National Housing Trust (NHT) current housing plan will be reserved for contributors under the age of 35 years old. Making the announcement during his contribution to the 2024/25 Budget Debate in the House of Representatives on March 21, Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, said the policy change...

Children born on or after the 60th anniversary of Jamaica’s Independence, who are wards of the State or beneficiaries of the Programme of Advancement Through Health and Education (PATH), will be eligible for the Jamaica 60 HOPE (Hope, Opportunity, Prosperity and Empowerment) For Children Trust Fund. Jamaica celebrated its Diamond Jubilee on August 6, 2022. In his contribution to the...

The Government will make available $200 million to provide tuition grants to at least 1,000 tertiary students in good academic standing but in need of financial support. Prime Minister, the Most. Hon. Andrew Holness, made the disclosure in his contribution to the 2024/25 Budget Debate in the House of Representatives on Thursday (March 21). Mr. Holness said this support will...

The National Housing Trust (NHT) will develop one-bedroom apartment complexes, particularly within or near urban centres, as starter homes. Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, made the announcement while making his contribution to the 2024/25 Budget Debate in the House of Representatives on March 21. Mr. Holness said these apartments will be made available to contributors via sale agreements...

An additional $1 billion is to be dedicated to rural water systems for the upcoming 2024/2025 Financial Year. Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, made the announcement during his contribution to the 2024/25 Budget Debate in the House of Representatives on March 21. Mr. Holness said the significant investment is intended to meet the need for the resource by...

The national minimum wage will be increased from $13,000 to $15,000 per 40-hour work week, effective June 1, 2024, representing a 15 per cent increase. Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, made the announcement during his contribution to the 2024/25 Budget Debate in the House of Representatives, on March 21. “We had also signalled last year that we intended...