Category Archives: News

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”

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”

Farmer Zephora Davis shows off her melon in Flagaman, St. Elizabeth to Glenville Hall, Zonal Director, and Jermaine Wilson, Extension Officer, both of the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) during a tour of the area on October 18. Melons and other crops will be ready for reaping in another three weeks, following the fire whichContinue reading “Farmer Zephora Davis shows off her melon in Flagaman St. Elizabeth”

Chief Technical Director in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Dr. Roy McNeil (second right), is in discussion with farmer, Marion Allen (second left), at the closing out ceremony of a pilot project under the Japan Caribbean Climate Change (JCCP) Project in Cascade, St. Ann on October 15. Others from left are DervalContinue reading “Closing out ceremony of a pilot project under the Japan Caribbean Climate Change Project”

His Excellency Ambassador Luis Del Solar (2nd left)) of the Embassy of the Argentine Republic in Jamaica converses with Michelle Parkins, Acting Principal Director , Economic Planning and Policy, Ministry of Industry, Commerce Agriculture and Fisheries (MICAF), during a courtesy call at the Ministry’s Hope Gardens’ offices on October 15, 2019. The meeting explored possibilitiesContinue reading “Courtesy Call with His Excellency Ambassador Luis Del Solar”