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The Ministry of Agriculture has endorsed the launch of Solid Blue, a new Farmer's Health Plan from Blue Cross of Jamaica. "The fact that the majority of our farmers are either uninsured or underinsured, indicating limited coverage and limited access to preventive services, only serves to underscore the timeliness of this health plan," Minister of Agriculture, Roger Clarke has said....

Government expenditure of over $42 billion has been credited for the over 50% decline in poverty since 1992. Dr. Jaslin Salmon, National Coordinator for the Poverty Eradication Programme in the Office of the Prime Minister made the disclosure a panel discussion entitled "Fighting Poverty, the Past and the Future" which was hosted by the Cabinet Office this morning (Thursday, November...

Allow me first of all to express appreciation to the President of the Jamaica Agricultural Society, Senator Norman Grant and the President/CEO of Excel Insurance Brokers, Mrs. Ingrid Munroe for their kind invitation to share this very special occasion - the official launch of the Jamaica Agricultural Society/Excel Farmers' Healthcare Plus Insurance Plan. As you know my schedule over the...

I extend a very warm welcome to the developers and investors involved in the Palmyra Resort and Spa project. I sincerely appreciate their vote of confidence in the future of the Jamaican tourism industry so clearly demonstrated by their participation in this major project. It is being implemented at a time when there is increased interest in our tourism product...

A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed between the Ministry of Education, Youth and Culture and the Duke of Edinburgh Award Programme, to officially launch the programme in all secondary and tertiary institutions islandwide, within the next two years. Minister of State in the Ministry, Dr. Donald Rhodd who signed the MOU yesterday (November 9), at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel...

Vice President of Marketing at the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPSCo), Nigel Grant, has said that there is no systematic rigging of the company's billing system or of the meter-reading system, to overcharge customers. Mr. Grant sought to make this clarification in light of the perception among customers that the spiralling electricity bills were as a result of JPSCo seeking...

The Neighbourhood Watch Movement in Jamaica will stage its 18th Annual conference on Saturday, November 12 at the Ebony Park Heart Academy in Toll Gate, Clarendon under the theme, 'Empowering Communities through Education'. Head of Community Relations, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Marlene Wilson-Christie told JIS News that the main aim of the conference is to "discuss weaknesses and strengths...

Farmers in Clarendon have lost approximately $69.5 million in crop and livestock as a result of the heavy rains and landslides associated with the passage of Hurricane Wilma last month. Percival Shaw, Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) Parish Manager for Clarendon, told JIS News that 200 hectares of crops valued at about $42.8 million and $26.7 million worth of livestock,...

Four-H clubbites are being invited to take advantage of the Jamaica National Building Society's (JNBS) Small Business Loan Fund to establish business ventures and develop their entrepreneurial abilities. The call came from Fedrick Young, the Fund's Regional Supervisor for Portland and St. Mary, during his address at the annual general meeting of the Island Advisory Council of the Jamaica 4-H...

The importance of early stimulation in the development of young children was highlighted at a workshop for pregnant and lactating mothers at the Buff Bay Health Clinic in Portland on November 8. Organised by the Early Stimulation Programme in the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, the workshop was aimed at providing mothers with the necessary information and skills to...

A Special Parliamentary Group (SPG), which was convened to review the submissions of the Parliamentary Salaries Committee on 'Parliamentarians Pay and Conditions of Service', has adopted 28 to the 40 recommendations, including the proposal that Parliamentarians should receive no increases in salary until 2006. The group, chaired by Finance and Planning Minister, Dr. Omar Davies, also agreed that there should...

Cornwall College is the western regional champion in the Jamaica Information Service/Jamaica Public Service Company-sponsored Heritage Debate Competition, having defeated Montego Bay High School in an exciting final held last week at the Montego Bay High School auditorium. Arguing the moot: 'Be it resolved that National Hero, Rt. Excellent Norman Manley was more renowned for his legal than his political...