Article Archive

Chief Technical Director in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Mr. Stephen Wedderburn addressing the 13th anniversary of the ‘Eat Jamaican’ Day Exposition at Devon House, Waterloo Road, on Friday, November 25, 2016. Seated at the head table from left are: 2016 National Farm Queen, Ms. Safiya Clennon; 1st vice president, Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS), Mr. Donald Berry; President, JAS, Mr. Norman Grant; and Custos of Kingston, Mr. Steadman Fuller.
Mr. Wedderburn commended the members of Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS) and the farmers for their...

Chief Technical Director in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Mr. Stephen Wedderburn (1st right) along with 2016 National Farm Queen, Ms. Safiya Clennon (1st left); Custos of Kingston, Mr. Steadman Fuller (2nd left); and President, Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS), Mr. Norman Grant during a tour of the exhibits at the 13th ‘Eat Jamaican’ Day Exposition at Devon House, Waterloo Road, on Friday, November 25, 2016.

The Government is exploring a range of non-traditional products to market overseas, as part of a deliberate strategy to expand exports.
Chief Technical Director in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Dermon Spence, said there is high demand for sweet potato, melon, mango, pineapple, yam, dasheen, pepper, pumpkin, herbs, spices and nutraceuticals.
He credits the demand to a strong brand name, and the superior quality and strong flavour of the country’s agricultural products.
He said that matched with a structured approach to marketing and finance...

Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. J.C. Hutchinson, says the agricultural sector is expected to grow by 30 per cent for the final quarter of this year, ending December 31.
Speaking at an Irish Potato Stakeholders’ Seminar in New Market, St. Elizabeth, on November 18, 2016, Mr. Hutchinson said there has been significant growth in production in the sector over the last two quarters, and based on what is currently in the fields, the anticipated 30 per cent growth is achievable.
“I am looking at a minimum of 30 per cent...

Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Karl Samuda, says the system used to allocate cane lands to farmers at Monymusk sugar factory, in Clarendon, will likely be used across the island.
According to the Minister, the farmers are allocated seven-acre plots where all the management is under their responsibility, and that system might be used as a model to “serve us in the future”.
“It is a model that can work and the only thing that can prevent it from becoming successful, is if we don’t apply our basic knowledge with increased technology that will...