Author Archives: donovan.saunches

The Government is to make more idle State-owned lands available for cultivation by small farmers. This was disclosed by Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. J.C. Hutchinson, who noted that the Administration is in dialogue with various organisations in order to facilitate this undertaking. The Minister, who wasContinue reading “More Idle State-Owned Lands To Be Cultivated”

The cadre of technical staff at the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) is expected to be increased by more than 100 per cent, with the proposed restructuring of the agency. This was announced by Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. J.C. Hutchinson, who said the new structure willContinue reading “RADA Technical Staff To Be Increased By 100%”

State Minister for Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Floyd Green, says the Government is committed to supporting farmers during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and safeguard the country’s food security. He noted that among the initiatives implemented was a $240 million stimulus package to purchase excess fruits and vegetables from those farmers, who lost theirContinue reading “Gov’t Supporting Farmers During COVID-19”

The Jamaica Manufacturers and Exporters’ Association (JMEA) is reporting that members are having success on the local and export market since the COVID-9 outbreak in March. Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Audley Shaw, said based on a report from the JMEA, listing some 20 Jamaican companies, the country has been able toContinue reading “JMEA Reports Success In Local And Export Markets”

Click link for more information: https://www.micaf.gov.jm/sites/default/files/pdfs/IYPH%20Tomato%20Leaf%20Miner%20%282%29.pdf

In an effort to strengthen and modernize the legislation to effectively regulate the trade and movement of agricultural produce, the Agricultural Produce Act is to be amended. This was disclosed by Minister without portfolio in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. J.C. Hutchinson, in his contribution to the Sectoral Debate in theContinue reading “Agricultural Produce Act to be amended- Hutchinson”

Entrepreneurs are being encouraged to conduct market research in order to improve their products and services and increase sales. “It is important for small businesses to use market research. It can be used to determine how a product may be marketed, why persons may purchase a product or how often they could purchase the product,”Continue reading “Entrepreneurs Urged To Do Market Research”

Food creatives and entrepreneurs are being encouraged to use the period of slowdown in business due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) as an opportunity to innovate and expand their services and brand. Chef and owner of Moveable Feast Caterers, Michele Williams, said that “as people who are passionate about food… now is the time to lookContinue reading “Food Creatives Encouraged To Innovate”

Approximately $11 million was spent at recent farmers’ markets and business fairs organised by the Social Development Commission (SDC) as the agency tries to keep community businesses in operation during this period of economic downturn, caused by the coronavirus (COVID-19). Public Relations Manager of the SDC, Mandel McKulsky, told JIS News that the amount inContinue reading “Millions Spent At Farmers’ Markets”

The Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries has developed a National Five-Year Manufacturing Growth Strategy for Jamaica, aimed at achieving $81 billion per annum in manufacturing output by 2025. “This translates to an approximate annual average growth rate of three per cent over the five-year period,” said Portfolio Minister, Hon. Audley Shaw. He wasContinue reading “Gov’t Targets $81 Billion In Manufacturing Output Per Annum By 2025”