Achievements for 2018 – Support for Farmers

The Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries implemented several programmes that led to consistency of supplies, sustainable incomes for farmers and entrepreneurs and facilitated strong growth in the sector.

AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES

Farm Road Rehabilitation
• $800 million was allocated to improve the farm road network.

This project, being implemented by the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), aims to provide improved direct access to an estimated 11,506 farmers in 13 parishes for the ‘farm to market’ transportation of produce.

Support for Farmers
• $30 million allocated to assist farmers in Portland who were affected by heavy rains to purchase seeds, fertilisers and other materials.

• $6 million allocated to help farmers in St. Elizabeth, Clarendon and St. Catherine who were affected by drought.

Coffee Farmers
• The Government and Newport Fersan Jamaica Limited (NFJ) partnered to provide over 28,000 bags of newly formulated fertiliser to coffee farmers islandwide.

• Small coffee farmers benefited from $60 million donated by businessman, Michael Lee-Chin and his family. The money was made available through the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA).

• The Ministry collaborated with Salada Foods Jamaica to provide a $200-million injection into the coffee industry, with the advance purchase of 25,000 boxes of local coffee berries.

Dairy Farmers
• Dairy farmers from Clarendon, St. Elizabeth and St. Thomas benefited from $5 million worth of fertiliser to improve the quality of the grass consumed by the cattle and enhance the amount and nutritional value of the milk produced.

Sugar Cane

• $70 million was committed to assist farmers in Trelawny with the transportation of sugar cane to the Appleton Estate and Worthy Park factories.

Sugar Workers

• Ground was broken for the development of 84 serviced lots for sugar workers in, Jacksonville, Clarendon.

Bamboo
• Local and international investors from Guatemala, Canada and China are collaborating in the development of a factory that will produce paper and other value-added items from the bamboo plant.

• 81 young persons were trained in bamboo technology to provide additional support to the sector.

Productivity Boost

One hundred million dollars was approved to provide productivity support for several crops, including Irish potato and onion.

Bodles Infrastructure Upgrade

• $300 million was allocated to upgrade Bodles Research Station in Old Harbour, St. Catherine.

FAO 35th Regional Conference
• Jamaica hosted the 35th Session of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Regional Conference for Latin America and the Caribbean at the Montego Bay Convention Centre in Rose Hall, St. James.

INDUSTRY AND COMMERCE

New Standard for Electrical Appliances

• The Bureau of Standards Jamaica (BSJ) launched a new standard to cover general safety requirements for electrical appliances.

CAC Secures Millions for Aggrieved Consumers

• The Consumer Affairs Commission (CAC) secured $14.9 million in refunds and compensation from 1,087 complaints filed by consumers.

Electronic Business Registration Form Launched

• The Companies Office of Jamaica (COJ) launched its electronic business registration form which enables customers to reserve and register their business names online. Clients can register sole trader and partnership business names.

Shipment of Medical Marijuana
• Jamaica exported its first shipment of medical marijuana extracted oil to Canada.

Expo Jamaica 2018
• Some 350 exhibitors spanning 20 local industries showcased more than 2,000 products during the 46th Expo Jamaica trade show at the National Arena and National Indoor Sports Centre in Kingston from April 19 to 22.

JIF 2018
• The Jamaica Investment Forum, held June 12 to 14 at the Montego Bay Convention Centre in St. James, was a major success and created opportunities for sound investment projects.

JAMPRO Reopens New York Office

• JAMPRO’s New York office was officially reopened.