When it was announced that fisherfolk and farmers registered with the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries will soon be able to benefit from health and life insurance coverage, no one was happier than Kenneth Hanse. The 61-year-old Portland native, who has been fishing since age 10, tells JIS News that he is grateful to Portfolio Minister, Hon. Floyd Green, for...

Eighty, mostly female-headed households in Salt Spring in St. James have been equipped to successfully plant food crops for their subsistence and to develop a sustainable livelihood through value-added production. Under the Climate Smart Agriculture Project, being undertaken by 360 Recycle, the participants have benefited from agriculture training, and planting materials and containers (planter boxes) made from recycled plastic bottles....

The Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC) says there are many benefits that operators within the agricultural sector can access by formalising their operations. Speaking with the JIS News, Assistant Manager, Business Advisory Services at the JBDC, Keera Walters, argues that formalisation is the key to farmers and fisherfolk achieving economic growth. “Formalisation enables you to be recognised as a legitimate...

When contemplating her career path as a youngster, Citerina Atkins did not have farming on her list of options, but three years into her journey as a member of the agricultural sector, she is now an advocate for embracing farming as a viable career. The young co-founder of Gerty’s Agro-Produce tells JIS News that she started considering the alternative path...

Food safety is paramount to the health of the nation, and the Veterinary Services Division (VSD), in the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, plays a significant role to ensure this is achieved. The VSD is responsible for the administration of animal health programmes, veterinary certification of animals and animal products. Chief Veterinary Officer at the VSD, Dr. Osbil Watson, tells...

The Jamaica 4-H Clubs will be introducing new initiatives and programmes in 2021 to engage more young Jamaicans in the business of agriculture. Executive Director of the organisation, Dr. Ronald Blake, tells JIS News that the first quarter of the New Year, between January and March, will be spent training 500 youth farmers and providing them with agricultural inputs. In...

Jamaica owes a great deal of respect and gratitude to retired Agriculturalist, Lieutenant Colonel Hubert Lounges, whose 43 years of outstanding service to local agriculture will continue to positively impact the sector for generations to come. Mr. Lounges, who will be 93 on December 10, not only witnessed but played key roles in the sector that gave rise to a...

Swift River Happy Bee Production in Portland is a micro community enterprise with big plans. Over the next five years, the business, operated by the Swift River Community Development Committee (CDC) is looking to increase production from 10 gallons of honey per quarter to 200 gallons and also employ more people. “We want to create jobs for others so that...

Food industry business stakeholders who implement the new ISO 22000:2018 Food Safety Management System (FSMS) Certification Standard in their operations stand to reap significant dividends over the long term. The Standard, which was launched recently by Industry, Investment and Commerce Minister, Hon. Audley Shaw, is the latest product/service offering of the National Certification Body of Jamaica (NCBJ). It outlines food-safety...