Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Hon. Floyd Green, is encouraging more young people to pursue a career in agriculture, noting that the Government will fund their studies. He said that students can access support through the recently announced $100-million annual scholarship programme. “We are also building on the Rio Tinto/Alcan Legacy Fund Agriculture Scholarship,” he noted. The Rio Tinto/Alcan...

An energy policy, aimed at standardising the storage of technology, is now in the conception phase. The Ministry of Science, Energy, Telecommunications and Transport is developing the policy, which will address, among other things, the proper storage of lithium-ion batteries, for which more stringent standards will be implemented. Chief Technical Director in the Ministry, Brian Richardson, told JIS News that...

The National Fisheries Authority (NFA) is reporting an uptick in diverse fisheries production out-turns, including for sea cucumber and sea moss. Principal Director of the NFA’s Capture Fisheries Division, Stephen Smikle, says the Authority welcomes this level of engagement by local producers. “In recent years, we have seen a rise in non-traditional products like sea moss and sea cucumber, which...

The Ministry of Labour and Social Security has introduced a pilot programme for the employment of capable persons with disabilities in the Overseas Employment Programme. This initiative involves partnering with the Abilities Foundation, engaging overseas employers, and establishing a support system to assist workers with disabilities during their employment. “For the first time, we have a batch of three farmers...

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, is reminding Jamaicans of the importance of preparing for what is expected to be an active 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, which begins on June 1. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) of the United States has forecast an above-average season, with projections of 17 to 25 named storms, eight to 13 hurricanes,...

A Bill to amend Section 61 of the Constitution of Jamaica to provide for new Words of Enactment, was passed in the House of Representatives on Tuesday (May 28). Minister of Legal and Constitutional Affairs, Hon. Marlene Malahoo Forte, who piloted the Constitution (Amendment of Section 61) Act, 2024, said it constitutes the first legislative step in a proposed series...

More than 1,300 Jamaicans benefited under the Government’s Social Intervention Programme in 2023. They included 423 youth who received education grants totalling approximately $50.9 million and another 367 who were placed in on-the-job training. Additionally, 534 members of Programme of Advancement Through Health and Education (PATH) households received entrepreneurial grants totalling $87.1 million. This was disclosed by Minister of Labour...