Author Archives: donovan.saunches

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 theContinue reading “Help Us Keep Tropical Race 4 disease out of Jamaica”

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. “This is important as it will enable us to haveContinue reading “Bodles Research Station receives US$200,000 upgraded seed bank facility”

Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Dermon Spence (left) along with Chief Operating Officer, Oakland  Licensed Professional Therapeutics (OLP); Associate Professor, College of Health Sciences, UTech, Dr. Ellen Campbell-Grizzle; Senior Advisor to Minister Shaw, Dennis Boothe; Scientific Consultant (OLP) Tomas Garrett and Founder/Chief Executive Officer, OLP, James (Jim) Keim. In background fromContinue reading “Jamaica explores growing mushrooms for medicinal purposes”

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Dermon Spence (left) greets Mushroom Cultivation Expert, Oakland Licensed Professional Therapeutics (OLP), USA, Reggie Harris, during a courtesy call at the Ministry’s New Kingston office on Tuesday, October 22.  Mr. Harris was part of the OLP team that met with Ministry officials to discussContinue reading “MICAF Permanent Secretary greets Mushroom Cultivation Expert”

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries , Dermon Spence (right) and Senior Advisor to Minister Shaw, MICAF, Dennis Boothe (centre) listen keenly to  Founder/Chief Operating Officer, Oakland Licensed Professional Therapeutics (OLP), United States, James McConchie (left). Mr. McConchie was part of the OLP team that met with Ministry officials toContinue reading “Oakland Licensed Professional Therapeutics team meets with Ministry officials”

Beekeepers are being urged to take special precaution in the management of their beehives during aerial spraying and fogging. Chief Plant Protection Officer in the Apiculture Unit of the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hugh Smith asserted that the chemical being used to eradicate mosquito is hazardous to the honey bees at allContinue reading “Agriculture Ministry urges beekeepers to protect honeybees during mosquito fogging”

Chairman, Technological Solutions Limited, Dr. Andre Gordon (left), presents a copy of the Food Safety and Quality Systems in Developing Countries, Vol 1: Export Challenges and Implementation Strategies book to the Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Audley Shaw, at the World Standards Day (WSD) Reception, hosted by Technological Solutions Limited at theContinue reading “Chairman Dr. Andre Gordon presents a copy of the Food Safety and Quality Systems in Developing Countries book to Minister Audley Shaw”

Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Audley Shaw (2nd left), along with (from left) Acting Board Chairman, Technological Solutions Limited, Earl Patrick; President of JAMPRO, Diane Edwards; Senior Representative/Trainer, Safe Quality Food Institute, Frank Schreurs, at the World Standards Day (WSD) Reception, hosted by Technological Solutions Limited at the Courtleigh Hotel & Suites,Continue reading “World Standards Day Reception”

Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries Minister, Hon. Audley Shaw (left), assists Vanessa Plummer to plant a lychee tree at the Christiana High School in Manchester on October 11, at the World Food Day National Ceremony and Exhibition. At right is Principal of Christiana High School, Leecent Wallace.

Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries Minister, Hon. Audley Shaw (third right), participates in the handover of a hand-held tractor to the Christiana High School in Manchester on October 11 at the World Food Day National Ceremony and Exhibition. Others participating from left are Chairman of the school’s Board, Dr. Hansel Gillman; Custos Rotulorum for theContinue reading “Minister Shaw participates in the handover of a hand-held tractor to the Christiana High School”