The Government is undertaking work to enhance several public botanical gardens across the island, in a bid to further protect and preserve the country’s rich biodiversity. This was disclosed by Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Floyd Green, who informed that focus is being placed on the Castleton Botanical Gardens​​ in St. Mary; Bath Botanical Gardens in St. Thomas; and...

Farmers and fisherfolk from across the island will receive training in enterprise formalisation and capacity development under the Formalising Operators in the Jamaican Agricultural and Fisheries Sector project. The recently launched initiative is aimed at transforming largely informal operators within the Agriculture and Fisheries sector into formal businesses. Speaking at a Jamaica Information Service (JIS) ‘Think Tank’ on Tuesday, February...

The Government has allocated $128.7 million to the Agricultural Competitiveness Programme Bridging Project. This programme aims to place Jamaica in a competitive position that will provide solutions to the structural challenges that are confronted by the local agricultural sector. It also seeks to provide opportunities and lay a solid foundation to fully exploit the market potential that exists for Jamaican...

An allocation of $102 million has been set aside in the 2021/22 fiscal year for the continuation of the Promoting Community-based Climate Resilience in the Fisheries Sector Project. The project seeks to enhance resilience to climate change among targeted fishing and aquaculture communities of Jamaica. Details of the allocation are outlined in the 2021/22 Estimates of Expenditure, now before the...

The AgriCare Programme, a newly developed group life and health insurance plan for farmers and fisherfolk, will come into effect on March 1. The groundbreaking initiative is a partnership between the Government and Sagicor Life Insurance Company. Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Floyd Green, made the announcement during the House of Representatives sitting on Tuesday (February 9). Under the...

Jamaicans are reminded that it is illegal to buy, sell or slaughter cattle that are not affixed with the National Animal Identification and Traceability System (NAITS) ear tags. The system aims to strengthen food safety by enhancing animal disease surveillance and supports the development of a modern livestock sector aligned with international standards. Stakeholders involved in cattle rearing, including butchers,...

Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Floyd Green, says the new Conch Season will commence on April 1, with very strict rules to prevent illegal fishing. Addressing a virtual press briefing on January 27, the Minister said following the 2018 ban on the fishing of conch to allow for the replenishment of stock, results from a 2020 survey have shown...