jamaica

We salute our hardworking and dedicated farmers of Jamaica. Click here to read a special feature.

As it continues its assistance programme to redistribute excess produce from farmers as the country faces the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries has collaborated with Trade Winds Limited, manufacturers of the Tru-Juice brand of juices, to process excess fruit and vegetables.
The Ministry, through RADA, last week  put systems in place to support the movement of the produce from farmers in St Elizabeth to the factory in Bog Walk, St. Catherine,  where processing began Monday, April 6 with an initial 5,000 lbs of tomatoes.

Bamboo is being heralded as the perfect alternative to plastic and styrofoam products as Jamaica moves into a new phase on bans against materials that are largely considered to be harmful to the environment. “We are encouraging Jamaicans to grow bamboo because we help, as a small island nation, by doing that to clean up the environment,” said Bureau of Standards Jamaica (BSJ) Director of Special Projects Gladstone Rose in making his pitch for more Jamaicans to consider planting bamboo.

Jamaica’s agricultural sector’s resilience to climate change has been boosted with the handover of an upgraded US$200,000 seed bank facility at the Bodles Research Station that will improve the station’s ability to increase its seed-producing capacity as well as house seeds of climate-resilient crop varieties.

The Tropical Race 4 (TR4) Disease of banana or fusarium wilt is a deadly disease of bananas and plantains. It is caused by the soil-borne fungus, Fusarium oxysporumf.sp.cubense. TR4 is not currently present in Jamaica and it is very important to keep it out of the country. If you see signs of TR4, contact the PQPI Branch at 977-0637 or 977-6401 or the Banana Board at 922-2083 or 383-7235. Click here to visit TR4 webpage.

In keeping with Government’s drive to industrialise and commercialise the production of several non-traditional crops, Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Audley Shaw has welcomed the publication of Professor Laura Roberts-Nkrumah’s book on The Breadfruit Germplasm Collection, University of the West Indies, St Augustine.

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.

Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries Minister, Hon. Audley Shaw, says custodes and justices of the peace continue to play an important role in upholding the country’s rule of law.

He acknowledged that although their roles have evolved over centuries, the men and women, who now serve are still required to assist with the maintenance of law and order, discipline and peace.

Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries Ministry, Hon. J.C. Hutchinson ( second left), makes a point to “prince” of the  Lauriston and Thompson Pen, St. Catherine Jamaica 4-H Clubs, Ashauni Nesbitt during his recent visit to the Hope Gardens offices of the Ministry on August 28. Other members of the club present from left are, Shaneka Lawrence, “queen” and Toni-Ann Dean, “princess”. Discussions were held on a number of topics including their membership, agro-processing products and other initiatives.