Article Archive

Nineteen-year-old Benjamin Frazer of the Ardenne High School in St. Andrew and nine-year-old Asher Harrison of Greater Portmore Primary in St. Catherine were the winners of the inaugural essay competition organized by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MICAF).
The students received attractive prizes at an awards ceremony held at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel on June 28, 2016.
The prizes included tuition support and book vouchers from the Jamaica Dairy Development Board; gift baskets from Grace Kennedy; trophies from Newport Fersan; Certificates of Excellence from the...

The Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries has presented a tractor to onion farmers in Colbeck, St. Catherine which will enable them to cultivate larger pieces of land and increase their crop yields.
Minister without Portfolio, Hon. J.C. Hutchinson, handed over the New Holland TD 90 tractor during a ceremony in the community on July 27, making good on a commitment to provide assistance.
The Minister noted that during a visit to the community two months ago to launch the Onion Development Programme, expressions for land preparation tools were made by the...

The Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries is putting measures in place to ensure the environmental sustainability of the Pedro Cays.
The plan involves more regular clean-up and waste collection and the installation of 20 toilets to provide proper sanitary facilities for the residents.
“We have started the process and we have (recently) disposed of over 200 bags of garbage and this will be done on a regular basis so that we can keep the community clean,” said portfolio Minister, Hon. Karl Samuda.
The Minister was addressing representatives from 20...

Farmers at the Plantain Garden River agro-park in St. Thomas who incurred losses during the recent heavy rains, are to receive assistance from the Government.
They will be given herbicides and cabbage, red pepper and hot pepper seeds and seedlings. The tractor that is used for land preparation will also be repaired.
The commitment was given by Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. J. C. Hutchinson, who toured the park on June 24.
The tour provided the Minister with a first-hand view of the operations and the...

Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. J.C. Hutchinson, says all support to farmers will now be channelled through the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), instead of through political representatives.

Addressing the inaugural general meeting of the Tryall Action Group/Diaspora Benevolent Society at the Ballard’s Valley Community Church of God in St. Elizabeth on June 29, Mr. Hutchinson also pointed out that the assistance will be given to the farmers through their respective registered groups and not on an...

The Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries will be restarting its farmers’ market initiative at venues across the island, to address the glut of some produce.

This was disclosed by Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry, Hon. J.C. Hutchinson, at the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) St. Thomas Open Day, held at the Rudolf Elder Park, Morant Bay, on June 24.

“Right now we have a glut of quite a number of items, especially bananas,” the Minister said.

Mr. Hutchinson said the markets will provide an opportunity for consumers to buy...