Frosty Pod disease, caused by the fungus, ‘Moniliophthora roreri’, has been a significant threat to cocoa production in Jamaica. First discovered in Jamaica in August 2016 on a Clarendon farm, frosty pod disease became a major challenge in 2018, severely affecting local cocoa production. The disease threatened farmers' livelihoods and jeopardised Jamaica's position as one of the eight producers of...

The Veterinary Services Division (VSD), Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, has emphasised its commitment to maintaining regulations and guidelines for the importation of live animals. With the reality of diseases that affect animals also affecting humans – known as zoonotic diseases – this function is critical for the public health and the safety of both animal and human populations....

The multibillion-US-dollar global coconut industry is bustling with new products, which have emerged from technologies and innovations in the creation of climate and disease-resistant hybrids and machines used in reaping ready nuts. However, despite the many advances, success with coconuts begins at the ground level with the quality and elemental composition of the soil. This is why the Coconut Industry...

More than 2,000 local fishers and fish farmers across 15 fishing communities islandwide have benefited from the Promoting Community-Based Climate Resilience in the Fisheries Sector Project. Funded through a US$4.85-million grant provided by Climate Investment Funds (CIF) and administered by the World Bank, the project aimed to increase the adoption of climate-resilient practices among targeted fishing and fish-farming communities in...

Jamaica’s coconut industry continues to benefit from decades of scientific research and experimental breeding thanks to the work of the Coconut Industry Board (CIB) and its field gene banks. Botanist and Plant Breeder at the Board, Chantelle Campbell-McTaggart, says the ongoing development of resilient hybrids, such as the Maypan and Braypan, has helped the industry to survive major threats, particularly...

The Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) is urging livestock farmers to implement protective measures to safeguard their livelihoods during the 2025 Atlantic Hurricane Season, which started on June 1. Senior RADA Livestock Specialist, Maxine Brown, tells JIS News that the first priority for farmers at the onset of a storm or hurricane should be to check on their animals. “You...

Beyond the abundance of raw produce at ‘Agrofest 2025’ was an array of value-added products for patrons to partake. This year’s event, which was organised by the Kingston and St. Andrew Association of Branch Societies (ABS) of the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS), was held on Saturday (May 31) at the Agriculture Ministry’s playfield at Hope Gardens in St. Andrew. The...

The Coconut Industry Board (CIB) has embarked on a series of townhalls to inform farmers about a range of critical changes to the entity’s benefits and policies in recent times. The CIB recently launched its town hall series at ANR Farms in Perth Town, Trelawny, where team members shared policy updates and provided farmers with essential coconut care tips. Chief...

A woman’s love for farming has blossomed into a flourishing small business that is now making its mark on supermarket shelves and gift shops in western Jamaica. Dedicated farmer and food processor, Sheryl Kerr-Palmer, of Whithorn in Westmoreland, has transformed her backyard pepper garden into a brand that is not only feeding her entrepreneurial spirit but also inspiring others. “I...