More

Six small farmers from North-east St. Elizabeth, who are members of the Elim United Farmer's Multipurpose Cooperative, have benefited from modern irrigation equipment valued at $400,000, from the Ministry of Agriculture, through its subsidiary agency, the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA). Each irrigation system consists of a five-horsepower gas pump equipped with a foot valve and suction hose valued at...

On June the 29th, I signed with other Caribbean Heads the PetroCaribe Agreement with Venezuela. Between then and last Tuesday in Montego Bay, when President Chavez and I signed the first Bilateral Agreement to trigger the benefits which will flow from PetroCaribe, you would have heard a lot. But I think it is my duty to outline to the nation,...

The National Housing Trust (NHT) is advising that the one to two per cent reduction in interest rates will be available to current mortgagers by this October.Senior General Manager of Finance and Operations at the NHT, Hugh Reid told JIS News that the reduction in interest rates would be introduced in two phases. He said under the arrangement, new mortgagers...

The National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) has collected more than 5,000 used lead acid batteries under the national campaign for the removal of the batteries from public places. Kingston and St. Andrew accounts for the majority of batteries collected so far, with good rates of return in Manchester, St. Elizabeth, St. Ann, St. Mary and Portland. Director of Enforcement...

In a fast-paced world of flashy lifestyles, quick cash, and emerging new careers, especially in the area of information technology, many young persons may not see the agricultural sector as an attractive or even profitable profession. As the world shrinks into one global village and food security becomes an increasingly critical issue for many nations, particularly developing ones, the Ministry...

Given the region's increased vulnerability to natural disasters due to the effects of climate change, and the threat this places on agricultural production and food security, Executive Director of the Caribbean Agriculture and Research Development Institute (CARDI), Dr. Wendel Parham, is calling for an action plan to protect Caribbean food systems, with research targeted at the areas under threat. The...

The Ministry of Agriculture has implemented a US$1.3 million Pig Industry Development Project (PIDP) to improve the supply of pork locally. The project, which is a joint initiative involving the Agricultural Support Services Project (ASSP) and Newport Mills, involves the importation of purebred pigs from a genetics company in Canada for interbreeding with local varieties. Agriculture Minister, Roger Clarke, in...

Thirty students from 11 primary and all-age schools in North Clarendon who gained the highest marks in their region in the recent Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT), have been awarded bursaries by Horace Dalley, Member of Parliament for the area and Minister of Labour and Social Security. The top three achievers have received $10,000 each and back-to-school packages, including schools...

Michael Peart, Member of Parliament for South Manchester, has urged Jamaicans to work together to advance the education process. "Education is not a school project; it embraces students, parents communities and the country," Mr. Peart stated, as he addressed students and parents, who attended the Jamalco-sponsored back to school assistance function held on August 23 at the Alpart Mining Venture...

October 2005 will be 25 years since Montego Bay acquired city status, and the St. James Parish Council is pulling out all the stops to make this silver anniversary a special one. Public and Community Relations Officer with the Parish Council, Suzette Brown told JIS News that a special committee, chaired by Councillor Richard Solomone has been put in place...

Chairman of the Social Development Commission (SDC), Robert Bryan has said that local government should be seen as a distinct sphere of government with specific responsibilities rather than a second tier or second cousin of central government. Mr. Bryan was making his presentation at the High-level Inter-American Network of Decentralization, Local Government and Citizen Participation Sub Regional Mandate and Activities...

Infirmaries around the island are benefiting from the medical supplies and equipment donated by the Independent United Order of Solomon, a Canadian-based charitable organisation. The distribution process began this month, and according to Leon Campbell, Secretary of the Board of Supervision in the Ministry of Local Government, Community Development and Sport, the list of items include sheets, pillows, towels, uniforms...