May 29 (JIS):

The Government will be making former sugar lands in Clarendon available to expand farming, including the cultivation of non-traditional crops.

Minister of State in the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Hon. Franklin Witter, made the disclosure while on a tour of farms in Rhymesbury in the parish earlier this month.

“This area was the old sugar area and we are seeing where persons are getting into non-traditional crops. We want to expand on that so that we can fully repurpose the agricultural sector in terms of utilising the areas that were...

May 23 (JIS):

A comprehensive agricultural development programme for youth, women and persons with disabilities will be undertaken by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining.

The undertaking aims to continue the focus on creating greater opportunities for the targeted groups to get involved in agricultural pursuits and provide tangible support to motivate their achievements.

Through the initiative, called Project Feeding the Economy through Empowerment and Development (FEED), 25 per cent of all new agro-park lands will be reserved for assignment to women,...

May 23 (JIS):

The Government has committed to spend a further $6.4 billion over the next six years for the continued rehabilitation of Bodles Agricultural Research Station in St Catherine and for transforming research stations in Montpelier, Orange River, Top Mountain and Hounslow.

Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Hon. Floyd Green, made the disclosure during his contribution to the 2024/25 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on May 21.

“In fact, we will be starting construction on a $443-million state-of-the-art piggery at Bodles this month....

May 21 (JIS):

Jamaicans travelling to countries where Tropical Race 4 (TR4) is present are urged to be cautious in their movements to prevent transmission of the disease.

TR4 disease of banana or fusarium wilt is a deadly disease of bananas and plantains. Currently in Venezuela, the disease is soil borne and can spread rapidly, potentially devastating the local banana sector if brought into the island.

Speaking in an interview with JIS News, General Manager of the Banana Board, Janet Conie, said that TR4 is not in Jamaica, and it is “very important” to keep it out of...