Rich soil, ideal climate, and the ability to produce large quantities of various crops fit the profile of St. Elizabeth, the parish that has the reputation of being the ‘breadbasket’ of Jamaica. St. Elizabeth, Jamaica's third largest parish, is an essential part of the nation’s food system, being able to add hundreds of thousands of tonnes of domestic food crops...

The access to secondary education by students in rural sections of western Jamaica has expanded significantly since the island got its independence in 1962. With the emergence of several new secondary schools in the region in the late 1960s into the 1980s, came much-needed additional spaces for children exiting primary schools in the west. According to World Education News and...

Many persons look for inspiration in the words or quotes of others, but former Restaurateur, Garry Parrish, found it in his own words. “Faith doesn’t work for people who let go easily, but it is ideal for those who are determined to hold on,” was the first quote written on the notice board in his restaurant. The quote, originally written...

The word ‘farming’ typically brings to mind the planting of crops and the rearing of animals. However, with current and emerging opportunities for farmers and the advancement of technology, it appears the time has come for a paradigm shift, where the idea of farming becomes ‘operating a farm enterprise’. Senior Agricultural Economist in the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Junior...

Winner in the 2021 Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) Culinary Arts Competition, Kerry-Ann Thomas, will be vying for the title again this year. A strong believer in personal development and lifelong learning, Ms. Thomas will be challenging her abilities once again in her attempt to cop the first prize. She will also be participating in the knife-skills component of the...

The expression, ‘the pen is mightier than the sword’, aptly describes Danijah Taylor’s resolve to engage young Jamaicans in literacy and the written word, so as to chart a path for their upward mobility. The St. Catherine native has coined the term ‘penpowerment’ (empowerment through the pen) and has, so far, touched the lives of dozens of students through his...

St. Joseph’s Teachers’ College is singing the praises of the Culture, Health, Arts, Science and Education (CHASE) Fund, after becoming one of the most recent beneficiaries of its Music in Schools initiative. The College received a $2-million grant in the 2021/2022 financial year, and Acting Principal, Winsome Francis, says the money was used to purchase much needed musical instruments, including...

The Social Development Commission (SDC), through its flagship initiative, Local Economic Development Support Programme (LEDSP), has been stimulating sustainable Local Economic Initiatives (LEIs) in communities across St. Elizabeth. This is evident in the Maggotty and Retirement areas whose LEIs were recipients of grants under the programme. The Merrywood Woodcrafters’ Creations in Maggotty, owned and operated by the Merrywood Community Development...

A key component in the implementation of the National Identification System (NIDS) is the creation of a new entity, the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA). The NIRA will assume the administration of the civil registration system in Jamaica, replacing the Registrar General’s Department (RGD), and provide enhanced services. The entity will handle the layered rollout and management of the...