The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries will shortly embark on a programme aimed at increasing and safeguarding the export of Jamaica’s non-traditional agricultural produce and products. The programme, which will target local farmers and exporters, aims to create an export platform framework that facilitates exchange between suppliers and purchasers in Jamaica and overseas. This is to be achieved through, among...

Pan-Caribbean Limited, operators of the Monymusk and Frome sugar factories, has announced plans to pump some US$180 million to US$200 million into enhancing the plants, and upgrading equipment at the two facilities. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Pan-Caribbean, Dr. Huaixiang Wu, made the announcement on January 15, as he addressed a signing ceremony with the All Island Cane Farmers Association...

The All Island Jamaica Cane Farmers Association has signed an agreement with Pan-Caribbean Sugar Company, authorizing the firm to sell sugar and molasses on behalf of the farmers, and to establish a pricing regime. Under the agreement, the farmers, represented by the association and trading under the name, All Cane, have legally granted permission to Pan-Caribbean to sell sugar and...

The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries is exploring the possibility of introducing the bio-stimulant Vitazyme to the local agriculture industry as part of efforts to boost production and productivity. Vitazyme is an all-natural growth formulation, which, when applied to fruits, vegetables, small grains, and other crops, improves their yield and quality. It is manufactured by United States-based firm, Vital Earth...

The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries and brewing company, Red Stripe, have signed a lease agreement for land at Bernard Lodge, St. Catherine, to facilitate the multi-million dollar Project Grow cassava initiative, being undertaken by Red Stripe’s parent company, Diageo. Signed at Red Stripe’s Spanish Town Road head office in Kingston on January 7, the agreement will facilitate the provision...

Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Roger Clarke, says the Government has pumped $7.5 million into a recovery effort to help farmers at the Plantain Garden River Agro Park, in St. Thomas, who have incurred losses in a recent onion crop. "We decided that we are going to get them back on their feet, and we injected $7.5 million to...

The Government has received approximately $6.8 billion (€48.134 million) in budgetary support from the European Union (EU), which will assist in the implementation of various development programmes. Provision is being facilitated through a grant agreement, which the Government and EU officials signed on Monday, December 9, during a ceremony at the Ministry of Finance and Planning, in Kingston. The disbursements...

The East Lawn of King’s House was abuzz with activity on Monday, November 25, as scores of persons turned out to participate in the ‘Eat Jamaican Day’ 10th anniversary celebration. Several booths were mounted showcasing high quality local produce, while patrons were able to access valuable information on the benefits of eating locally. Organisations involved in the exposition included: the...

Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Roger Clarke, says that work has been completed on irrigation systems for two agro parks and the schemes should be fully operational in short order. He said that the systems at Yallahs, St. Thomas and Ebony Park in Clarendon are now ready for operation. “At Yallahs, it is finished now, and we should be...