Preliminary estimates for the second quarter of 2022 (April-June), show domestic crop production growing to 219,667 tonnes, an increase of 7.4 per cent over the corresponding quarter of 2021. This is also an increase over the January to March quarter of 2022, by 3.6 per cent. Domestic crop production grew by 10.4 per cent to 212,134 tonnes in the first...

The Ministry of Education and Youth is to spend $2 billion on textbooks this academic year, of which $1 billion is for primary schools and $1 billion for high schools. Portfolio Minister, Hon. Fayval Williams, made the disclosure during the sitting of the House of Representatives on September 6. “I am particularly pleased of the greater investment in textbooks at...

A gun amnesty will be declared as soon as the new Firearms (Prohibition, Restriction and Regulation) Act is entered into force, says Minister of National Security, Hon. Dr. Horace Chang. This amnesty will allow persons who may be in possession of illegal firearms the opportunity to surrender these weapons to the State, without the fear of prosecution. Dr. Chang made...

Jamaica is set to receive a limited supply of monkeypox vaccines by the end of September. This acquisition is being facilitated through collaboration with the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO). “We are advised that the manufacturers of the smallpox vaccine that has been shown to be effective in protecting persons from money pox has supplied limited amounts to the market...

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, says in the 60th year of political independence, the country has much to be proud of and to celebrate. Addressing a joint sitting of the Senate and the House of Representatives on Friday (August 5) in commemoration of Jamaica’s 60th anniversary of Independence, Mr. Holness said these include free and fair elections, press...

The House of Representatives, on July 26, approved the Electricity (Net Billing) Regulations 2022, which are intended to provide opportunities for fuel diversification, development, and deployment of renewable energy sources. The aim is to have a modern, efficient, and environmentally sustainable energy sector that is affordable and accessible. Minister of Science, Energy and Technology, Hon. Daryl Vaz, told the House...

Approximately 30,000 spectators are expected to attend the National Stadium in St. Andrew on Independence Day (August 6) for the Grand Gala, which is part of Jamaica’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations. The cultural showcase, which is slated to begin at 6:00 p.m., will feature presentations in music, drama, song and dance, by costumed and uniformed groups alongside popular local artistes. Addressing...