farmers

As Government and other stakeholders continue to provide assistance to support the fire-affected farmers of Flagaman, St Elizabeth, Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. J. C. Hutchinson, has announced that $5 million is to be provided towards the procurement of grass to be used as mulch to aid the resuscitation of the farmlands.

Mr Hutchinson made the announcement at a Farmer’s Relief Forum hosted by Hi-Pro, at the Pedro Plains Anglican Church in St. Elizabeth on Friday, August 30.

Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries (MICAF), Hon. J.C. Hutchinson has pledged an allocation of approximately $500,000 to assist farmers of Flagaman St. Elizabeth whose crops were destroyed by fire last Friday (August 16).

The money was originally provided for his St. Elizabeth North Western constituency but will now go to the farmers of Flagaman as part of the recovery effort.

The Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries Ministry is moving swiftly to assist approximately 47 farmers, who were affected by fire in Flagaman, St. Elizabeth last Friday (August 16). Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry, Hon. J.C. Hutchinson, said the Ministry will be providing topsoil, grass, seeds, fertilizer and sprays to enable the farmers to regain solid footing.

In keeping with its Production and Productivity Programme, aimed at increasing production of strategically selected crops and livestock for local consumption but with export potential, the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, through the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) distributed some 70,000 pineapple suckers to farmers in the western parishes of St Elizabeth, Hanover, Westmoreland St. Ann, Clarendon and St. James on Thursday, August 15.

Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries Minister, the Hon. Audley Shaw, has identified the cannabis industry as part of the solution for the Jamaican economy.

Addressing the 3^rd Annual CanEx  Jamaica Global B2B Cannabis Conference and Expo in Montego Bay on Friday,  September 28, Minister Shaw told conference goers that as the Minister responsible for building the industry “I have engaged all stakeholders in our society,” and sent the strong message: “GANJA IS NOT THE PROBLEM, IT IS Part of Jamaica’s Solution”.

Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon J.C. Hutchinson, has emphasised the importance of adequate irrigation to the consistent and sustainable growth of agricultural production.
Noting that the country can no longer rely on rainfall only, Minister Hutchinson said that it is important that farmers understand and employ the necessary techniques to manage Jamaica’s water resources effectively.