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Fulton will not stand for JAS President • Gov’t subsidy to JAS ends May 2023 By Patrick Maitland The Agriculturalist Editor [email protected] ———————————————

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he almost two-year-long legal battle between the Jamaica Agricultural Society's (JAS) management and two of its directors will not stop the election of a new president at the Society's annual general meeting scheduled for July 2023. Outgoing JAS President Lenworth Fulton says the July 13, 2022, AGM was postponed because of the Court's intervention. "The most recent court hearing was on March 29, 2023. However, the Court's final decision is set for April 16, 2023," Fulton explains. The president is adamant that he will not lead the Society after the July 2023 annual meeting. "After four years as JAS president, it's time for me to go and welcome a new leader to continue advocating and supporting Jamaica's farmers," he adds. The Supreme Court, on July 11, 2022, granted an application for an injunction barring the Society from holding the meeting, which was scheduled for July 13, 2022. According to court papers, Ian Hill, the 1st vice president of the Westmoreland Branch Societies of the Jamaica Agricultural Society, applied for the injunction arising from a bitter internal dispute over the non-election of officers, the procedure for the election, and the postponement of previous annual general meetings due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Continued on page 4

Vivion Scully to head AIC STORY On PAGE 8

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nEWS Improved market access for exporters of fresh produce

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amaica has received clearance to export several fresh produce such as breadfruit, pineapples, sweetsop, soursop, plantains, lime and citrus to countries in the Caribbean and beyond, thus improving the market access for exporters. Entomologist-Identifier at the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries’ Plant Quarantine and Plant Inspection Branch (PQPI), Karen Barrett Christie, made this announcement during her presentation at the Fresh Produce Exporters’ Forum on February 14, 2023. “For Barbados, we have gotten approval for pineapples. We are currently working on mangoes and pumpkin. For the Cayman Islands, we have gotten approval for soursop, sweetsop, breadfruit, and plantains. We have also gotten frozen and blanched ackees although that would not fall in the purview of the Branch but that is something that our exporters can also export to the Cayman Islands,” Mrs. Karen Barrett Christie explained. Jamaica has also received approval to export citrus and lime to Trinidad and Tobago and is in the process of getting approval to export beetroot and carrots. Regarding the commencement of the mango season, which runs from April to July every year, Christie said approval letters have been received from the United States De-

partment of Agriculture (USDA) for export of mangoes to the US for the upcoming season and the Branch is now awaiting the fruits to come in Karen Barrett Christie so that it can Entomologist-Identifier commence exMinistry of Agriculture port. Christie also and Fisheries’ Plant Quarantine and Plant highlighted that Inspection Branch there are tremendous opportunities for exporters, citing changes to the United Kingdom’s (UK) Plant Health (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020, which reopened the UK market for our exporters. “Jamaica can now export a wide range of commodities. So, our beautiful and delicious mangoes are back on the table. You can send your apples, plums, citruses, coconuts; the sky is the limit as to what you can send to the UK currently,” Mrs. Christie said. “Exporters, I am imploring you to use this opportunity to expand your markets. Send more products so that Jamaica can earn the needed foreign exchange,” she added.

Opposition calls for review of the issuance of Onion import permits

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he Opposition People’s National Party is calling on the government to explain to the nation, especially farmers, its reasons for issuing onion import permits after the government had encouraged and mobilized the farming sector to increase onion production. In a statement dated March 29, 2023, Opposition Spokesperson on Agriculture and Water, Lothan Cousins, MP, said the timing was irrational and called on the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Pearnel Charles Jnr, to explain why the methodology created to assess existing local production before contemplating import permits was abandoned under his watch. The Opposition said it had taken note of a demonstration by onion farmers in Llandewey, St. Thomas, and claims of imports displacing markets for their onion crop. The Spokesperson said while he was not surprised at the usual callous treatment of farmers, he was disappointed that the onion production programme was being frustrated by the government’s propensity to issue import permits. Cousins said the pain, anxiety, and frustration displayed by the farmers, on national television was heartbreaking as farmers cited inadequate timely supplies of productive inputs and lack of crop management support as the primary reasons for some fields being damage by the Beet Army Worm (BAW) infestation.

Long-term action to stem water shortage

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he Opposition said it is deeply concerned by the recent announcement by the National Water Commission (NWC) that water restrictions have been imposed in sections of Kingston and St Andrew. Opposition Spokesperson on Agriculture and Water Lothan Cousins said access to water is a fundamental human right recognised by the United Nations. He expressed that lack of access to water is a major concern in almost every constituency in Jamaica, especially those in rural and mountainous regions and more recently, the corporate area. Noting that the restrictions are expected to continue into May of this year, the Oppo-

sition Spokesperson said: “It is quite unfortunate that an island so blessed with water resources has to resort to a ‘regulation schedule’ in order to supply water to its citizens.” He added that the rapid growth of the population and increasing urbanisation of Kingston and St Andrew without proper environmental planning would further exacerbate the issue. “It is time for the Government to implement a long-term sustainable solution to this recurring issue,” said Cousins, noting that the Government needs to establish additional water storage facilities across the island.

Fulton will not stand for JAS President

Continued from page 1 In the application, Hill and others claim that as an incorporated body, a procedure must be followed every year for the meetings, including the election of officers. He argued that this was breached and the decision not to elect officers was unconstitutional. Meanwhile, a cloud of uncertainty surrounds the funding of the 127-year-old JAS as the Government's annual subvention ends in May 2023. "We have been gearing up to secure alternative funding sources, but we need more time to replace the government's contribution," Fulton explains. The president says the JAS is uncertain as the oversight Transformation Implementation Unit, headed by Maria Thompson Walters of PricewaterhouseCoopers and repre¬sentatives from the

Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries and JAS, met only once during the past year when the unit was established. Since April 1940, the Government has been financing the human resource capacity, including salaries for staffing at the JAS. This was part of an agreement with the Society after the Government took over the farmers' extension services under the establishment of the Ministry of Agriculture and Lands. The JAS annual financial statement for the period ending March 2021 shows an income of $123.88 million, of which $ 117.47 million, or approximately 94 percent, was Government subsidy. The next most significant portion was rental income, which accounted for around 4.8 percent of revenue and 1.2 percent from members' dues and affiliation fees.

LOTHAN COUSINS Opposition Spokesperson Agriculture and Water

Having observed the plight of the farmers, the Agriculture Spokesperson called on the government to implement a programme of support for the farmers. He said despite the issues affecting farmers, additional punishment was being meted out to them by government-approved onion import permits. The Opposition is also calling for transparency in the award of the import permits as it has information that at least one Member of Parliament is the beneficiary of several permits. Cousins said the Opposition is asking for full disclosure to promote fairness and remove any potential for connected persons to benefit from the farmers’ plight.

Onion distribution bottlenecks being resolved Submitted by Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries ————————————————— edia reports that the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries and, by extension, the Government facilitated imports to the detriment of our farmers are categorically incorrect and divisive. The truth of the matter is that the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries has a Production and Productivity Programme geared towards the import substitution for crops that can be produced competitively locally with onion being one of the targeted crops. The Ministry, through the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), has over the years made significant strides to increase the production and productivity of onions locally. It is important to note that on average Jamaica imports approximately 10,000 tonnes (10 million kilogrammes or 22 million pounds) of onions annually. This translates to a monthly average of 833 tonnes. In the 2021/22 crop season, Jamaica produced roughly 40 per cent of local demand and based on the Ministry’s projections for 2022/23 this is expected to increase significantly. It is equally important to note that the targeted production for the 2022/23 crop season was 400 hectares and to date approximately 310 hectares have been established. The parish of St. Thomas accounts for 200 hectares, which is just over 66 per cent of local production currently.

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The Ministry is mindful that during the harvesting period for local onions an abundance of imported onions within the market space will create a market imbalance. It is for this reason and the need to ensure sufficient market space for local onions that deliberate steps are taken to encourage purveyors, who would normally seek to import onions to purchase and store locally. The Ministry, in making a determination regarding importation, conducts continuous inventory checks on onion supplies at the major importers who are primarily members of the Potato and Onion Producers Association (POPA). Additionally, an assessment of local production is used to determine the level of imports that are needed during a particular time period. The variable of price is also considered by the Ministry given the need to provide affordable food options to consumers and like farmers they are critical stakeholders to the viability of any import substitution programme. It is unfortunate and regrettable that in instances where distribution bottlenecks occur, they are construed by some as a deliberate attempt by the Ministry to sabotage its own production and productivity programme. The Ministry in working to solve this situation has mobilised the relevant stakeholders in POPA and others who import to ensure that these bottlenecks are swiftly eliminated while we continue to drive production and productivity to ensure Jamaica's food security well into the future.

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MARCH-APRIL 2023 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • 5

EDITORIAL

Set targets to produce more Jamaican goat meat Y

et another programme is being implemented to increase the small ruminant stock in Jamaica, including importing 200 goats to improve the breed stocks. It is undeniable that for decades the island’s farmers have been producing far less mutton than is required by Jamaicans. Therefore, the market potential is remarkable, and yearning for investment. In 2021 Jamaica imported $1.59 billion worth of mutton and chevon products. In addition, local production only covers 15 % of the total demand on average. That’s despite all the programmes and initiatives over the years to push the output of the small ruminants. Now, not for the first time, Jamaica has imported goats to help improve the breeding stock. Under the Government’s Small Ruminant Development Programme, 50 goats, including the Boer, Nubian, and Kiko breeds, recently arrived in Jamaica. According to the Agriculture Ministry, these goats are the first batch of 200 being brought in, with 6,000 animals to be imported over the next three years. The goats will be housed at the Min-

PATRICK MAITLAnD Publisher - The Agriculturalist [email protected]

istry’s Bodles Research Station in St. Catherine, where a semen bank will also be established from the males. In August of 2021, the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries launched a programme to develop the small ruminant industry in Jamaica through genetic improvement and sustainable breed multiplication programmes. The intention is to improve the quality of breeding stock, which will then be provided to small ruminant farmers at an affordable cost.

Agriculture Minister Pearnel Charles Jr said the animals would also use local feedstock, thus reducing the need for imported feed materials, therefore cutting the cost of protein conversion. Notwithstanding that praedial larceny is a tremendous negative and disincentive to investment, it is full-time Jamaica significantly increases the production of goats to close the considerable gap between demand and supply for mutton. Sharply increased local production would naturally come with several benefits, including nudging the country toward the much-desired food security. Greater production would lead to foreign exchange savings through reduced import bills, and higher incomes for local farmers. However, The Agriculturalist would like to see, and the country deserves, some benchmarks for this project, some things to which we can hold the planners and officials behind the programme. For example, how will mutton production be impacted, and when will we change that yawning ratio and reach even fifty percent of local demand – a modest goal?

The opinions expressed in this newspaper, except for the above, do not necessarily reflect the views of The Agriculturalist and its publishers. Please send your comments or suggestions to [email protected]. Responses should be no longer than 400 words. Not all articles will be published.

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MOA imports 50 goats

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amaica, on Monday, received the first batch of animals under the Government’s Small Ruminant Development Programme. A total of 50 goats, including the Boer, Nubian and Kiko breeds, arrived at the Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston and were received by Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries Pearnel Charles Jr. Charles Jr, who was accompanied by a high-level ministry team, told journalists that the goats’ genetic superiority is intended to “change the prospect of small ruminants for our country.” He said the 50 goats are the first batch of some 200 being brought in, with a total of 6,000 animals to be imported over the next three years. “So, this is an enormous positive for agriculture and several benefits to our farmers, particularly the farmers who, for long, have been yearning for us to have the higher quality, the genetics that will allow for the goats to breed faster, to have greater yield in meat [and] greater yield in milk,” Charles Jr added. He further pointed out that “a number of problems” will be solved through the importation of the goats, noting that the animals will eat local materials and reduce the “difficulty of having to import feed into Jamaica”. The goats will be housed at the Ministry’s Bodles Research Station in St Catherine where a semen bank (collection of semen from imported animals with superior genetics) will also be established from the males. The minister said the goats’ off-springs will be sold to farmers to increase their stock and ensure that the animals are mixed with those in the country to provide the best quality possible.

Importing cannabis into Jamaica is worse than 'taking coal to newcastle!’

amaica has long had an earned reputation as the global center of ganja breeding and genetics. Without the benefit of the formal agricultural system, ganja farmers in the community, such as Murray Mountain, St. Ann, and Cornwall Mountain, Westmoreland, have, through meticulous selection and multiplication, developed strains of cannabis known the world over for their high potency. In effect, an unconscious or arguably 'conscious' selection by lay persons for THC content. These included 'dwarf strains', which could be interplanted with crops such as 'iceberg lettuce' and cabbage, minimizing aerial detection by law enforcement officers. Therefore, Jamaican varieties such as 'sensimilla,' lamb's bread', and 'goat shit' are sought-after varieties worldover.

BY DR PAUL JENNINGS Principal Consulting Associate MARJEN Consulting Group [email protected]

The problem is that there has historically been no opportunity to claim 'intellectual ownership' of these works. Thus, over many years worldrenowned ganja traders such as 'Brother Love' of the infamous 'Coptic' group with 'cattle' farms at Braes River, St. Elizabeth, and Roselle, St. Thomas would expatriate (and accumulate) genetic material to Cali-

fornia, for establishing greenhouses. Against this background, Aubyn Hill, the Minister of Commerce, recently advised the Jamaican Parliament that a license was recently granted for importing 140 kg of cannabis “for research purposes.” "It's a Jamaican company, and they have to follow the rules in the legislation. The ganja strain being imported is not available in Jamaica. The permit is granted depending on the license you have. Some people have a license to grow, others to test, and some to retail," according to Minister Hill. It might have been understandable were the 'rare ganja strain' to have been imported from Darjeeling, India, the centre of dispersion of 'ganja' genotypes. However, in frigid Canada, it seems quite a 'stretch'! One can understand the

sense of revulsion of the traditional Jamaican Rastafarian ganga grower who has been deliberately marginalized with the establishment of the Cannabis Licensing Authority, which has been 'bum-rushed' by the scions of the Jamaican gentry - the historical margin- gathering 'king makers' of Jamaican politricks.

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nEWS

CASE 16,000-broiler chicken tunnel house in limbo By Patrick Maitland The Agriculturalist Editor

———————————— ive years after construction of a 16,000-broiler chicken tunnel ventilated house commenced at the College of Agriculture, Science, and Education (CASE), the project is still being affected by structural and technical issues and the absence of an abattoir. According to a project document released by CASE president Dr Derrick Deslandes some $50 million was allocated to construct and equip the chicken house. This is part of the GOJ/Adaptation Fund Programme, with the Agriculture Ministry giving $10M, $6M and $13M, during the years 2018, 2019 and 2020, respectively. During the period 2018-2020, the project received an additional $21 million from CASE, according to president Dr. Deslandes. During a recent visit to the college, The Agriculturalist observed marl and other construction materials being applied to raise the flooring of the chicken house. More than a year ago, Dr. Deslandes told a Gleaner reporter that the flooring would be elevated to correct a technical construction issue. While the college struggled to complete the construction of the chicken house, it faced further challenges as the accompanying abattoir is yet to be completed. The Ministry of Education allocated $161 million to construct the abattoir, a wastewater treatment system, and a bio digestor; however, these projects are yet to be completed. The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries also partnered with CASE to provide approximately $15 million to assist with procuring and installing an internal ventilation facility under a climate-smart agricultural project. The project aimed to educate farmers on climate-smart agricultural practices. Dr. Deslandes could not be reached for further updates on the chicken house

• Is this a case of mismanagement of $211M of government resources?

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Over five years ago, $50 million was allocated to construct this 16,000-broiler chicken tunnel ventilated house at the College of Agriculture, Science, and Education.

A motorcycle park inside the chicken house on limestone (marl) being used to elevate the flooring to correct a technical construction issue.

and other projects at the college; however, in addressing the CASE Alumni on January 28, Minister of Education Fayval Williams promised that “the tunnel house

is in the final stage of preparation and is expected to become operational in March 2023.”

“Training and assistance with the tissue culture equipment, the acquisition of equipment for the tissue culture laboratory, and the date for the laboratory to be in operation are in February,” Minister Williams promised. However, a check by The Agriculturalist revealed that neither the chicken tunnel house nor the tissue culture laboratory is near completion. An informant at CASE also told The Agriculturalist that while the chicken house is near completion, it could not be operational as the accompanying abattoir, the wastewater treatment system, and a bio digestor are yet to get off the grounds. “These projects were poorly developed and implemented and could result in the loss of several million in taxpayers’ money. How could you build a 16,000-capacity chicken house without a slaughtering house to remove the finished birds,” the informant remarked.

Farmers want more effective pesticides for beet armyworm By Shannick Dawkins www.radiojamaica.com ome onion and scallion farmers in St. Thomas are appealing to the Ministry of Agriculture to introduce more effective pesticides to deal with the beet armyworm infestation that has been wreaking havoc on their crops. The farmers say the approved list of registered pesticides for onion and scallion does not contain any chemical that can get rid of the beet armyworm. One of the farmers in Yallahs, Lawrence Lynch, told Radio Jamaica News that the pest is destroying his crops. He noted that the worms could "eat down your field within two nights" as they rapidly attack the foliage of the crops. Lynch said he alone has suffered more than $500,000 in losses due to the beet army-

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worm infestation, which has destroyed thou- challenges caused by the beet armyworm, the sands of pounds of his onion. ministry said it is anticipated that the increase in "They are worms, they are not smarter productivity achieved this year will still allow than us. God made the human being much farmers to enjoy good returns on their investsmarter. We are intellectually capable of ment. overcoming these, but we The Ministry of Agriculare really wasting ture, in consultation with money upon this type of the Rural Agricultural worm," he lamented. Development Authority beet armyworm Lynch called the (RADA) and other releworms "strategic", noting that they lodge inside vant stakeholders, has calculated a recomthe leaf which makes the pesticides less effi- mended farmgate price for onions at $330 per cient in killing them. kilogramme or $150 per pound for this crop "So, we need something that when we season. spray, it goes on the inside to kill the worms on the inside," he appealed. Agriculture Ministry defends handling The Ministry of Agriculture has said farmof beet armyworm infestation ers have been trained on how to safely and efThe Ministry of Agriculture has defended fectively use pesticides on the approved list. its management of the beet armyworm infestaDespite the tion in St. Thomas following sharp criticisms

from affected onion and scallion farmers that it is not doing enough to cauterise the problem. The ministry says its Research and Development Division and RADA have implemented numerous mitigating strategies in St. Thomas to counter the pest. The Ministry of Agriculture says onion farmers in St. Thomas are provided with a monthly Risk Assessment Report, Pheromone traps, Plant Health Mobile Clinics, regular field visits and monitoring by its Research and Extension officers. The ministry adds that information gathered by its officers on beet armyworm risk factors is used to produce advisories to educate onion farmers on early detection and management methods of the pest. The Agriculture Ministry says there is an approved list of pesticides registered for use on onion and scallion.

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nEWS APPOINTMENTS Dismissed CASE lecturer gets Supreme Court hearing Vivion Scully to head AIC

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By Kimmy Blair The Agriculturalist Writer

he Supreme Court of Judicature of Jamaica will, on April 27, 2023, hear an arugment put forward by an attorney representing dismissed lecturer Jairzenho Bailey of the College of Agriculture, Science, and Education (CASE). The lecturer, who had served at CASE since 2002, is seeking a judicial ruling against the college that would quash the decision to withdraw the lecturer from duties, some two years ago. According to a lawsuit filed in the Jamaican Supreme Court by attorney Georgia Hamilton, Bailey is also seeking a writ of mandamus directing the college to take all steps required to have Bailey rostered for duties as a lecturer in keeping with his employment contract. The lawsuit demands the payment of all outstanding salaries from April 2021 to the date of the court order. The Agriculturist understands that Bailey is the third employee in the last

Jairzenho Bailey Dismissed lecturer, CASE

four years who have had to seek external interventions to quash alleged human resource management breaches committed by CASE management. Carl Brown, current lecturer/former director of farms, and Kenneth Bailey, a former vice president of operations, won a multi-million-dollar settlement arising from CASE’s human resource abuses.

Jamaican spice crops get a boost J

amaican spice crops got a boost with a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) five-year development project, “Food for Progress Jamaica Spices” (JaSPICE). The JaSPICE, awarded to the Washington, US-based global development company ACDI/VOCA, is part of the USDA’s $178 million investment in seven international development projects on four continents to support U.S. government priorities as promoting climate-smart agriculture and facilitating trade. According to a press release on the company’s website, acdivoca.org, JaSPICE will support Jamaica’s goal of revitalizing the spice sector. The project will take place under the Food for Progress Program, designed for USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service to partner with NGOs and foreign governments on projects in developing countries. JaSPICE aims to increase Jamaica’s yields of turmeric, ginger, and pimento (allspice) on 2,750 hectares by 50 percent, resulting in $20 million in sales and $13.5 million in annual export sales. To achieve this, ACDI/VOCA will incorporate market systems strengthening strategies—alongside climate-resilient and nature-positive production practices—to increase spice crop productivity, trade, and environmental resilience. While promoting climate-smart production, the project will boost processing and export capacity through a systems-based approach. JaSPICE will rely on ACDI/VOCA’s established partnerships with public sector stakeholders, anchor firms, micro and

small- and medium-sized enterprises, and farmer-based organizations. The project also creates a more diverse and vibrant spice sector, engaging 7,500 individuals, including women, youth, and other marginalized populations. Acdi/Voca will also engage three resource partners: The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations will leverage its experience supporting the Ginger Working Group and other spice value chain actors to support stakeholder coordination, research and development planning, crop investment profiling, and business modeling. At Rutgers University, the Food Incubation Center and Natural Products Laboratory (RFIC) houses horticulture experts in herbs and spices who are skilled in tissue culture production and nursery and laboratory development. RFIC will contribute to increased access to quality planting material and strengthened market connections for JaSPICE participants. The Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education Center (CATIE) is an international research center dedicated to agriculture and the sustainable use of natural resources in Central America and the Caribbean. CATIE will provide expertise in landscape approaches, climate adaptation and mitigation strategies, and environmental and economic research. ACDI/VOCA is a global development partner based in Washington, D.C. Since 1963; the economic and social development projects have created a more livable world for vulnerable populations in developing countries.

ead of the Global Digital Services Scully also served as the head of Unit at the Jamaica Promotions JAMPRO's North American regional Corporation (JAMPRO) Vivion office, where he led the developScully, will assume the post of ment and implementation of sucCEO of Agri Investment Corcessful strategies to attract poration effective May 22, foreign direct investment into 2023. various industries, including A seasoned trade and inagribusiness, tourism, logisvestment specialist with tics, and business services. twelve years at JAMPRO, He has also held various Scully is a dynamic and accomleadership positions in the conplished leader with a proven sumer products industry, track record of success in working with renowned investment promotion brands such as Gillette and and business developJohnson & Johnson across ment. the Caribbean. As head of Global Scully's extensive expeDigital Services, Scully rience in both the public Vivion Scully played a pivotal role in and private sectors has Incoming CEO, AIC the growth and expanequipped him with a deep sion of Jamaica's global understanding of the chaldigital services sector. Under his leader- lenges and opportunities facing businesses ship, Jamaica has become a highly sought- today. His ability to build strong relationafter destination for some of the world's ships with stakeholders, navigate complex leading BPO and technology companies, regulatory environments, and deliver recreating over 50,000 jobs and contributing sults has earned him a reputation as a over 1 billion US dollars annually to the highly effective leader. local economy. Previously, he was a member of the His ability to identify and capitalize Jamaican Urban Development Corporaon investment opportunities has driven tion's Board of Directors, member. economic growth and development in JaScully is a University of The West Inmaica. dies graduate with a B.Sc. in economics

Ronald Blake heads Acdi/Voca Jamaica

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he global project development and implementation project Acdi/Voca has appointed former executive director at Jamaica 4-H Clubs Dr. Ronald Blake, as its chief of party for the Jamaica branch effective March 1, 2023. The Acdi/Voca Jamaica is implementing the five-year development project "Food for Progress Jamaica Spices" (JaSPICE), being funded by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). JaSPICE aims to increase Jamaica's yields of turmeric, ginger, and pimento (allspice), on 2,750 hectares, by 50 percent. Dr. Blake has been a staff member of the Jamaica 4H Clubs for over 26 years, including ten as executive director.

Dr. Ronald Blake Chief of Party The Acdi/Voca Jamaica

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taff movements at Ministry of Agriculture & Fisheries Dennis Crawford, international trade specialist, has been seconded to Barbados's Caribbean Community (CARICOM) secretariat. At the same time, Adian Singh Smith, Transport Manager has been transferred to the Ministry of National Security. •After serving as public relations & marketing manager at the Jamaica 4-H Clubs for 22 years,

Dennis Crawford

Karelle McCormack

Karelle McCormack a Jamaican company, listed resigned in February 2023 to assume the public relations & marketing manager post at 138 Student Living Jamaica Limited (138SL) -

on the Jamaican Stock Exchange (JSE), that provides world-class accommodations at the University of the West Indies (UWI) Mona campus.

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MARCH - APRIL 2023 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • 9

The Minister Says Vast potential in yam cultivation, says Agriculture Minister

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inister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Pearnel Charles Jr, says there is vast potential for investment in the cultivation of yams. Noting that the parish of Trelawny produced a recordbreaking 137,575 tonnes of domestic crops in 2022, which positioned the parish in second place up from third place in 2021. The agriculture minister, who was speaking at the launch of the Hague Agricultural and Livestock Show at the Hague Showground in Trelawny on Wednesday, February 8, said 76 per cent of the 137,575 tonnes of domestic crops consist of yams. However, he outlined that there is still some work to be done to satisfy international demand. “Yam is the number one domestic crop in Jamaica that is exported and, guess what, we can’t even meet the demand. Even though we are at our highest numbers and even though yam is 76 per cent of

(l-r) Eric Bink, Director, Holland Aqua; explains floor plan for a new tilapia hatchery to Dr. Gavin Bellamy, CEO, National Fisheries Authority; Pearnel Charles Jr, Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries; Orville Palmer, Chief Technical Director, Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries; and Frans Aarsten, Director, Holland Aqua; during a stakeholders’ validation meeting at Caymanas Golf Club in St. Catherine on March 2. Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Pearnel Charles Jr, receives yellow yam from Jamaica Agricultural Society Thompson Town Branch member, Althea Pryce, at the official launch of the Hague Agricultural and Livestock Show in Trelawny on February 8.

the production in the parish we have a lot more to go if we are going to meet the demand globally because every single country wants Jamaican yam,” he pointed out.

Against this, Charles Jr shared several initiatives and strategies that the ministry is executing in support of increased yam production in Jamaica.

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nFA to build $903M tilapia hatchery facility

he Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, through the National Fisheries Authority (NFA), will be constructing a modern, bio-secure, climate-resilient tilapia hatchery that is aimed at increasing the supply of fry by 300%, moving up to 5 million fry per year. The new hatchery will boast a recirculating aquaculture system that will use approximately 10% less water than normal hatchery systems and will be developed at a cost of approximately $903 million. “The type of innovation and the modernisation that comes from the building of this hatchery will permit us to meet most of the demand,” said the Pearnel Charles Jr, Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, who was speaking at a Stakeholders’ Validation Meeting, held in St. Catherine on March 2. Noting that the hatchery is a sound in-

vestment for the country, the Agriculture and Fisheries Minister encouraged all involved in the process of construction to “make sure that it represents and reflects the excellence that we seek to achieve and that there’s an understanding that our ultimate goal must be to make sure that we build resilience and that whatever we are doing is sustainable”. The new hatchery will be constructed at Twickenham Park in St. Catherine and is part of Component Three of the Promoting Community-Based Climate Resilience (PCCR) in the Fisheries Sector project that is being implemented by the Ministry, through the NFA. The PCCR project is aimed at increasing the adoption of climate-resilient practices among targeted fishing and fish-farming communities in Jamaica.

Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr. (right), cuts sprouted onion tops, under the supervision of female farmers in St. Thomas on March 29. The Minister met with onion farmers in the parish to discuss markets for their massive yield.

St. Thomas onion farmers receiving buyers KINGSTON, March 29 (JIS): nion farmers in St. Thomas, who have already produced two thirds of the national yield, will be receiving market support for their massive production. Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Pearnel Charles Jr., met with the farmers on March 29, where he informed that buyers are stepping forward to purchase the onions. “Today has been a very good day. We listened to the farmers, we engaged them, we understood the concerns that they are having in terms of producing and looking not just for market, but for market at a price that they consider the reasonable price. “And, we have brought to the table, willing interests; persons who have the national interest

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and who have expressed a desire to take up most, if not all of what the farmers have to sell. They are now discussing exactly what the prices will be,” Mr. Charles Jr. said. He noted that the Ministry has also identified the need for storage and has opened its Christiana, Manchester facility to accept some of the onions, in addition to facilities in St. Ann and Clarendon. This is with a view to continue looking at options for increased storage, the Minister said. “When we produce exceptional amounts, what we need is the capacity to be able to dry and keep that for a prolonged period and that's where we are stepping in to give maximum support to our farmers and to the purveyors,” he pointed out.

Ag Minister calls on service clubs to support Grow Smart, Eat Smart Campaign: Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Pearnel Charles Jr (3rd l), poses with (l-r) Demar Sibblies, representing awardee Andrae Wynter, Juliet Johnson representing awardee Tameka Hylton, and Harold Graham representing Isratech Jamaica ltd who were recognised for their outstanding contribution to agriculture and their community involvement. Charles Jr, is calling on service clubs in Jamaica to support the ministry’s Grow Smart, Eat Smart national campaign. The Minister, who was speaking at the Rotary Club of Mandeville’s Vocation Award for Excellence, held at Church Teachers’ College on Thursday, February 2, said service clubs are critical in spreading the Grow Smart, Eat Smart message. He invited the Rotary Club of Mandeville to become the first service club to be a significant partner with the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries’ Grow Smart, Eat Smart network.

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InTERnATIOnAL nEWS Caribbean universities join effort to reduce regional food import bill GUYANA: niversities in Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago, with faculties responsible for agriculture and or food, have agreed to partner with CARICOM countries to support reductions in the region's food import bill by 25 per cent by 2025. The Anton de Kom University of Suriname is to join the initiative. CARICOM leaders have made the reduction in the food import bill, estimated at billions of US dollars, a major priority. The initiative is being led by Guyana's President Dr. Irfaan Ali, who has lead responsibility for Agriculture in the quasi CARICOM cabinet. During a virtual meeting hosted by the Faculty of Food and Agriculture of the St. Augustine campus of the University of the West Indies, the universities noted that regional annual food imports amounted to US$4.3 billion, for the period 2018-2020, excluding Haiti. They noted that despite the fact that the Ministerial Task Force at its recent meeting had reported that the region had met 57 per cent of the 25 per cent targeted reduction in food imports, significant efforts remain. The universities said with their collective human capital, sources of innovation and hubs for technological and knowledge development, a powerful contribution can be expected. Following discussions, a working memorandum of understanding is expected to be in place by June. ————————————————

High egg prices send profits at largest US producer soaring more than 700%

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Argentina gets IDB loan to develop agriculture, wine sectors

ARGENTINA: he Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) says Argentina has signed on to three programmes to help develop its agriculture and wine sectors. The new programme will also provide support for the country's solid waste management. IDB President Ilan Goldfajn and Argentina's Economy Minister Sergio Massa signed the loan agreements totaling US$235 million. Some US$125 million is earmarked for strengthening agricultural health services and enhancing the sustainability of marine resources. The funds will go toward the control and prevention of pests and diseases that affect the country's animal and plant health assets. The loan will benefit more than one million private stakeholders in the agricultural sector. The social, economic, and environmental sustainability facility, geared to Argentina's wine sector is valued at US$40 million and is expected to promote the use of technologies and marketing capacity among small and midsize producers.

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Jutta Urpilainen, European Commissioner for International Partnerships greets Alvaro Lario, President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), after signing two agreements on March 28, for a total of €70.7 million to boost the sustainable production of nutritious and locally grown food and build small-scale farmers’ resilience to climate and economic shocks in Africa, the Caribbean, and the Pacific.

The EU and IFAD join forces to support resilient and sustainable food systems ROME: ith a global food crisis aggravated by the war in Ukraine, the intensification of climate change and many countries at risk of debt distress, Jutta Urpilainen, European Commissioner for International Partnerships, and Alvaro Lario, President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), signed two agreements on March 28, 2023 for a total of €70.7 million to boost the sustainable production of nutritious and locally grown food and build small-scale farmers’ resilience to climate and economic shocks in Africa, the Caribbean, and the Pacific. “Global Gateway, the EU’s positive offer, is an investment in the strategic autonomy of our partner countries. We want to support them to build their food systems through sustainable production for better resilience. These funds will enable small-scale producers to feed their families and communities sustainably,” said Urpilainen. Small-scale farmers produce one third of the world’s food and up to 70 percent of the food in low- and middle-income countries. With the global prices of energy and food reaching unprecedented levels particularly since the start of the war in Ukraine, food inflation has been high in many countries. In addition, small-scale farmers are heavily impacted by climate change and are often those most affected by more frequent and intense extreme weather events. “Investing in building productive, sustainable and resilient local food systems is a necessary condition to reach long-term sustainable food security,” said Lario. “We must invest to enable small-scale producers to feed their families and nations sustainably, have access to finance and productive resources, adapt to climate change, and build shorter and local food value chains.”

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The European Union is providing €52.5 million to IFAD as part of the Investing in Livelihood Resilience and Soil Health in ACP countries programme. It will promote agroecology and sustainable agricultural practices aimed at improving and sustaining soil fertility, a more efficient use of synthetic and organic fertilizers, sustainable water management to ensure soils make full use of nutrients, the production of local bio-fertilizers, the use of biodigesters, and small-scale producers’ access to inputs tailored to local agroecological conditions. Activities will be implemented in Ethiopia, Liberia, Malawi, Mali and Niger, with other countries potentially to be added over time. The European Union is also providing an €18.2 million grant for the Global Programme for Small-scale Agroecology Producers and Sustainable Food Systems Transformation. The Kingdom of Belgium is providing an addition €5 million. The programme will scale-up agroecology practices and help small-scale farmers through better access to knowledge, support services, technologies and market outlets. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), extreme weather events will likely increase in frequency and magnitude in the coming years, putting global food systems at increased risk of disruption, with supply shortages and price hikes inevitable with each new crisis. At the same time, ecosystems and soils will be under increasing threats from climate change and depletion from overuse. Agroecology provides solutions by helping small-scale farmers adapt to climate change, manage natural resources more efficiently, preserve biodiversity and reverse land degradation trends, while providing an alternative to synthetic fertilizers and increasing production.

NEW YORK, USA: Cal-Maine Foods, the largest egg producer in the United States, reported revenue doubled and profit surged 718% last quarter because of sharply higher egg prices. The company, which controls about 20% of the US egg market according to Reuters, said its average selling price for a dozen eggs in the quarter ending February 25 was $3.30, more than double the average of $1.61 a year earlier. Despite the higher prices, the total number of eggs it sold edged up 1%, so its overall revenue rose 109% to $997.5 million. That doubling of revenue was nothing compared to its profits, however. Net income soared to $323.2 million from only $39.5 million a year ago. The jump in revenue and profit had been expected but easily topped forecasts. Shares of Cal-Maine (CALM) were up 4% in premarket trading.

Eggland's Best eggs are seen at the company's research facility in Pennsylvania. Surging egg prices mean record profits for largest US egg producer A deadly and highly infectious avian flu has forced US farmers to kill millions of egg-laying hens, reducing the country’s egg supply and driving up prices. But CalMaine said in its earnings statement that there have been no positive tests for avian flu at any of its owned or contracted production facilities. Egg producers’ pricing decisions have been criticized by some politicians, who accuse them of profiteering and price gouging. “American families working to put food on the table deserve to know whether the increased prices they are paying for eggs represent a legitimate response to reduced supply or out-of-control corporate greed,” said a letter sent by Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Rep. Katie Porter to CalMaine and other major egg producers last month. Cal-Maine did not immediately respond early Wednesday to a request for comment about the letter. Egg prices did start to retreat slightly in the government’s most recent inflation reading for February, but are still up more than 55% from a year earlier.

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Plans in high gear for St. Mary Agri Expo 2023 T

By Patrick Maitland The Agriculturalist Editor

he 35th staging of St Mary Agri Expo is being held under the theme, “Smart agriculture-harnessing the power of atomization and digitization for a sustainable future.” The annual expo is scheduled to be held at JP Farms Sports Complex, Gray's Inn, St Mary for Easter Monday, April 10 starting at 10 am. President of the St Mary Association of Branch Societies (ABS) of the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS), Fabian Rhule, said the expo aims to highlights the importance of utilizing technology to address the challenges facing the agricultural sector, including climate change, food security, and resource constraints. “By adopting smart agriculture practices, farmers can increase yields, reduce waste, and minimize the use of resources such as water and fertilizers, resulting in improved environmental sustainability,” he added.

Fabian Rhule President, St Mary Association of Branch Societies (ABS) of the Jamaica Agricultural Society

Rhule added that this year’s feature will include an innovation centre, farmers market, farm queen competition, horticulture display, grease pig competition, kiddies village, gospel concert and stage show, with Agent Sasco and others providing entertainment. “The farm queen competition, fruit and vegetable displays, and the livestock parade, always a crowd-pleaser, are on track for a stellar showing,” the show organizer noted. The College of Agriculture Science and Education (CASE) will also use the expo to provide information on drones’ technology a new programme recently introduced to the college curriculum. The planning committee has been busy meeting with all stakeholders, including the St Mary Municipal Corporation, the health department, the police, the fire department, the National Water Commission, and the Jamaica Public Service, sponsors, and exhibitors.

Given the short response time, there has been some falloff in sponsorship support. Still, long-time supporters, the Jamaica Producers Group and the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, have partnered with the organizers to ensure that the show is a resounding success, Rhule said. Meanwhile, the Montpelier Agricultural, Industrial, and Food Show in St James is also set for Easter Monday, April 10. Agro-fest, the annual show hosted by the Kingston and St Andrew Association of Branch Societies of the Jamaica Agricultural Society also returns, May 27. The Denbigh Agricultural, Industrial, and Food Show has been slated for the Emancipation Weekend (August 5 to 7) at the Denbigh Show Ground in May Pen, Clarendon.

Gov't allocates $100M more for drought response W

NEPA Encourages Corporate Jamaica to ‘Adopt-A-Mangrove: President and Chief Executive Officer, Jamaica Public Service (JPS), Michel Gantois (left), accepts a Red Mangrove sapling from Environmental Officer, Protected Areas Branch, National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA), Italee Patterson (centre), for planting at Sturridge Park, Palisadoes-Port Royal Protected Area in Kingston recently. With them is Acting Coordinator for Ecosystems, Ecosystems Management Branch, NEPA, Chanel Raynor. PHOTO: CHANEL SPENCE

nEPA Encourages Corporate Jamaica to ‘Adopt-A-Mangrove’ BY: MICKELLA ANDERSON he National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) is encouraging Corporate Jamaica to partner with it on its Adopt-AMangrove programme. The undertaking is a new initiative by NEPA and an extension of wetland restoration projects and other volunteer efforts geared towards the protection, conservation, and replenishment of mangroves. Revitalising this vital ecosystem will serve to strengthen the core function of mangroves, which is to absorb Jamaica’s storm surge impacts and prevent soil erosion. In February, utility firm Jamaica Public Service Company Limited/Jamaica Public Service Foundation Limited became the programme’s first ‘adopters’. This, by adopting the Sturridge Park plot along the Palisadoes Road and providing support in the sum of $7 million over five years.

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Speaking during a virtual press conference on Thursday (March 30), NEPA’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Peter Knight, who extended the invitation for private-sector stakeholder support on the programme, indicated that the initiative “will also support the expansion of the citizen science approach, as local communities will be actively involved in collecting environmental data”. He further outlined that through the initiative, NEPA will be promoting blended finance for management of protected areas. This, the CEO explained, by leveraging private financing and encouraging the private sector to invest in biodiversity as a part of their corporate responsibility. The Adopt-A-Mangrove programme is aligned with the tenets of major environmental multilateral agreements.

ith the country still firmly in the grasp of a meteorological drought, the government is to pump another $100 million into providing water to areas most affected. Some $30 million has already been distributed to municipal corporations to counter the effects of the prolonged dry period. At a recent press conference Prime Minister Andrew Holness said the initial allocation was insufficient to deal with the effects of the drought. The Prime Minister said a multiagency approach will be taken to ensure water reaches those in need. This will involve the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation as well as the Ministry of Local Government, Ministry of Agriculture and municipal corporations. According to Holness, the money will be directed to rural communities, which have been worst affected by the dry spell. He said the aid will be given on a "case by case, need by need" basis to maximise the effectiveness of the response. "MPs will get allocation through the CDF (Constituency Development Fund) but only in the parishes that have been assessed as being in need," he added.

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community photos

BLACK CASTOR OIL - LIQUID GOLD UNTAPPED: Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Pearnel Charles Jr. (r), is shown a bottle of black castor oil by Jovaughn Bailey of the Jamaica 4-H Clubs, during the Jamaica Bauxite Institute’s (JBI) Castor Industry Forum, dubbed ‘Black Castor Oil - Liquid Gold Untapped’, at the Golf View Hotel in Mandeville, Manchester, on March 15.

Caribbean Chemicals Jamaica supports #NuhDuttyUpJamaica campaign: Caribbean Chemicals Jamaica Assistant Sales Manager Georgia Robinson (1st l) and Managing Director Graham Dunkley pose with Lauren Creary (c) of Jamaica Environment Trust (JET) during a presentation ceremony held recently at the company’s manufacturing plant in Spanish Town. Caribbean Chemicals donated 100 garbage bins to the JET #NuhDuttyUpJamaica campaign in Brown’s Town and Runaway Bay, St. Ann. Dunkley noted that the bins would help to improve the solid waste management issues, which have been identified as a priority to be addressed in the communities. “This will encourage residents to practice proper waste disposal by containerizing their garbage and placing it in a bin,” he said.

Senior Educator Encourages More Youth to Embrace the 4-H Clubs Movement: Morant Bay Primary’s

Acting Chief Executive Officer for the Agro-Investment Corporation, Owen Scarlett (r), viewing hot sauce processed by Tijule Company Limited along with Minister of State in the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon Franklin Witter (c), at the Hague Agricultural and Livestock Show on Wednesday, February 22, 2023. Looking on from left are Director General for the Jamaica Agricultural Commodities Regulatory Authority (JACRA), Peter Thompson.

Jody Brown, who was recently crowned the 2022/23 LASCO/Ministry of Education and Youth/Jamaica Teaching Council Teacher of the Year. “When I was at high school, I was given the opportunity to showcase [my] talents and display all the abilities that I had. So, for the youth to [now] have this opportunity, it is good for them,” the decorated educator, who is also the school’s 4-H Club Leader, added.

CASE Alumni donates over $1M in scholarship and study grants: Members of the College of Agriculture, Science, and Education (CASE) Alumni Association pose with sponsors, Minister of Education and Youth Fayval Williams, and students who were awarded scholarship and study grants at the Alumni’s Founders Day held on January 27, 2023, at TP Lecky Hall, Passley Garden, Portland.

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April is Farmers’ Month By Rochelle Williams, JIS KINGSTON, April 1 (JIS):

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armers’ Month is being observed during April to celebrate the yeoman’s work of Jamaica’s cultivators. The official launch was held on March 31 at the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries in Kingston. Portfolio Minister, Pearnel Charles Jr., who addressed the launch, encouraged Jamaicans to participate in the activities in support of farmers, whose contributions have assisted greatly in the country’s economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. “To the farmers, you have made it possible for our country to experience a robust recovery, because the agriculture and fisheries sector contributed greatly to Jamaica being one of the only countries in the world that can say ‘we are better off today after COVID, based on our [economic outturns] than we were right before COVID’,” he maintained. Several commemorative activities are slated to be held throughout the month. These include the establishment of a garden at Randolph Lopez School of Hope in St. Ann on April 4; and the Jamaica 4-H Clubs Parish Achievement Day Youth Farmers Market and the Montpelier Agriculture Show, on April 10. A market linkages networking seminar is scheduled for April 13 at the Jamaica Conference Centre, while the Praedial Larceny Watch initiative will also be launched on that day at the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS) Grantham Group in Clarendon. The activities also include the National Fisheries Authority Customer Appreciation Day on April 18 in St. Catherine; and a tour of the great Pedro Pond in St. Elizabeth on April 19. The St. Ann Agriculture Show will be held on April 28. Farmers will also have the opportunity to take their livestock to be artificially inseminated at Minard Estate in St. Ann on April 26. Minister Charles advised that farmers markets will also be held in all parishes. April is designated to recognise Jamaica’s farmers for their tremendous contribution to Jamaica’s growth and development.

Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Pearnel Charles Jr. (left), listens to St. Elizabeth farmer, Joan Blake (right), while touring a farmer’s market at the Ministry in Kingston, on Friday (March 31). The market formed part of activities staged for the launch of Farmers’ Month, being observed throughout April. Also listening is Second Vice President, Kingston and St. Andrew Association of Branch Societies, Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS), Carol Williams. - Michael Sloley Photo

Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Pearnel Charles Jr., (right), and Minister of State in the Ministry, Hon. Franklin Witter, examine goats while touring a farmers market at the Ministry, in Kingston, on March 31. The market formed part of activities staged for the launch of Farmers’ Month, being observed throughout April. - Michael Sloley Photo

Farmers’ Month is being observed during April to celebrate the yeoman’s work of Jamaica’s cultivators.

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World Water Day - Accelerating change W

orld Water Day is an annual United Nations (UN) observance day held on 22 March that highlights the importance of fresh water. The day is used to advocate for the sustainable management of freshwater resources. The theme of each year focuses on topics relevant to clean water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), which is in line with the targets of Sustainable Development Goal 6. The UN World Water Development Report (WWDR) is released each year around World Water Day. UN-Water is the convener for World Water Day and selects the theme for each year in consultation with UN organizations that share an interest in that year's focus. The theme for 2021 was "Valuing Water" and the public campaign invited people to join a global conversation on social media to "tell us your stories, thoughts and feelings about water". Why is World Water Day celebrated? World Water Day is held annually on 22 March as a means of focusing attention on the importance of freshwater and advocating for the sustainable management of freshwater resources. World Water Day 2023 is about accelerating change to solve the water and sanitation crisis. Dysfunction throughout the water cycle undermines progress on all major

diseases related to poor water, sanitation and hygiene. (WHO 2022) Today, 1 in 4 people – 2 billion people worldwide – lack safe drinking water. Almost half of the global population – 3.6 billion people – lack safe sanitation. Globally, 44 per cent of household wastewater is not safely treated. (UNWater 2021) Global water demand (in water withdrawals) is projected to increase by 55 per cent by 2050. (OECD 2012)

global issues, from health to hunger, gender equality to jobs, education to industry, and disasters to peace. In 2015, the world committed to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6 as part of the 2030 Agenda – the promise that everyone would have safely managed water and sanitation by 2030. Right now, we are seriously off-track. Billions of people and countless schools, businesses, healthcare centers, farms, and factories are being held back because their human rights to water and sanitation still need to be fulfilled. There is an urgent need to accelerate change – to go beyond ‘business as usual.’

The latest data show that governments must work on average four times faster to meet SDG 6 on time, but this is not a situation that any single actor or group can solve. Water affects everyone, so we need everyone to take action. Did you know? 1.4 million people die annually and 74 million will have their lives shortened by

What is World Water Day? Every year since 1993, World Water Day (22 March) raises awareness and inspires action to tackle the water and sanitation crisis. It is about taking action to tackle the global water crisis of the 2.2 billion people living without access to safe water. It is a United Nations observance coordinated by UN-Water. The theme is proposed in advance by UN-Water. It is aligned with the annual publication of the UN World Water Development Report, published by UNESCO on behalf of UN Water. Why do we mark International Days? International days and weeks are occasions to educate the public on issues of concern, to mobilize political will and resources to address global problems, and to celebrate and reinforce achievements of humanity.

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RADA UPDATES

Livestock Disaster Risk Management Mitigation

Recovery..

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drought occurs when there is no substantial rainfall for a long period of time. Extreme heat is defined as temperatures 10 degrees or more above the average high temperature, lasting for several weeks. When drought and extreme heat occur at the same time, the conditions can be very dangerous. Although extreme heat conditions are easily recognized, drought conditions often develop slowly and can only be tracked through local weather advisories. The impact of drought on livestock can be devastating. Limited water supplies occur during a time when the water needs are increased. Feed availability can also become limited. Plants can also concentrate toxins making them lethal to livestock. Planning ahead can help protect the health and wellbeing of your livestock. Droughts are probably the largest cause of death in livestock throughout the world. 3 Establish alternative sources and supplies of water for your fodder banks /pastures and your 3 For large animals, consider creating artificial shade

Cattle drinking water from water trough

Response 3 Practice good land management maintain Follow these guidelines healthy soils manage when responding during stocking rates periods of drought and extreme heat: Preparedness 3 Keep animals in areas All family members where they have access to should learn to recognize shade. heat impairment symp- 3 Provide animals with toms and administer ap- plenty of cool water. Hospropriate first aid for ing off an animal periodianimals. Causes of heat cally will also help to cool stroke or hyperthermia it. 3 Animals in cages reare: 3 Lack of appropriate quire special attention because the ventilation may shelter for animal 3 Animals not acclimated not be very good. Provide caged animals with extra to the heat 3 Excessive exercise in ventilation. If there is a shortage of hot and humid weather. feed, reduce the number of The signs of heat stress in animals to limit demand animals are identified on feed and water. Provision of supplemental fee below. 3 Excessive panting or (e.g., grains, hay) may be necessary. Supplemental difficulty breathing, minerals, vitamins or en3 Collapse, 3 Increased heart and res- ergy sources may be needed. Also, check anipiratory rate, mals for illnesses and 3 Salivation, and avoid overgrazing. 3 Depression, stupor.

After a drought Continue to conserve water even after the drought appears to have ended and avoid any activities that could result in fires. 3 Trees become prone to fire, even from the slightest spark. 3 If you plan to feed drought damaged crops (e.g., feed, forages) to livestock, be aware of these issues: 3 Drought conditions can reduce the nutritional quality of forages and lower forage succulence (and protein content). 3 Dry forages are harder to digest. 3 Drought conditions increases plant toxicities (e.g., nitrates, mycotoxins).

Prepared by RADA Division of Technology, Training & Technical Division Email [email protected] Call 888-ASK-RADA

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Ganja industry stakeholders launch petition to stop marijuana imports

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oncerned ganja industry stakeholders have started a petition on change.org calling on the government to protect local ganja farmers by stopping imports from Canada. The group is seeking the public’s support to achieve a policy on fair trade and agriculture guided by a sense of national pride, improved regulatory efficiency and oversight, and fairly enforced regulation, including greater inclusion and affordability for independent ganja farmers. Started two days ago, some 500 persons have already signed the petition. “We, JACANA, strongly support this petition. It is unfair for all Jamaican ganja farmers to be undercut by cheap, foreign, cannabis dumped on our Island; especially while our industry is in the earliest stages of development and the traditional ganja farmer cannot yet bear the high costs of entering the legal industry,” Alexandra Chong, CEO JACANA, jouranalist. “We must protect Jamaican ganja and we must support the Jamaican ganja farmer now. This is an urgent issue. This is about national pride, fair trade, and social justice,” she said. In proffering the petition, the stakeholders wrote: “After a century of prohibition, the nascent Jamaican cannabis industry faces a new existential threat — in March 2023, the Jamaican government allowed the importation of cannabis from Canada.” The petition said imported product is now being sold in dispensaries across the island, competing with homegrown ganja, and threatening the existence of the domestic industry. The association noted that in addition to blindsiding local entrepreneurs working to create first-class brands around Jamaican cannabis, “this inexplicable trade allowance undercuts the hundreds of small-scale ganja farmers across the island. For these independent farmers, this is an unjust development after decades of persecution and criminalisation of the cultivation of the plant”. The petition said Jamaica is the spiritual home of cannabis. “Like cigars to Cuba, champagne to France, and tequila to Mexico, ganja is Jamaican,” the petition said. The association called the whole issue unfortunate and warned that if adequate measures are not put in place Jamaica's ganja industry could suffer a fate similar to our dairy and banana industries. “We call upon the passionate community of Jamaicans and the Jamaican diaspora as well as innovators and the fair-minded around the world to support domestic Jamaican ganja cultivation.”

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Importation of ganja from Canada in accordance with regulations – CLA T

he Cannabis Licensing Authority (CLA) says the authorisation granted to the company to import cannabis from Canada to Jamaica was done in keeping with the designated regulations. There has been pushback from local stakeholders since news emerged about the importation. They have argued that this came at a time when local players have encountered roadblocks in accessing the Canadian market. The CLA says it is unaware of any specific restrictions on importing Jamaican cannabis into Canada. It pointed out that Canada was the first country to which local entities requested and received export authorisations and those have been followed by other export authorisations over the years, with a total of nine authorisations for export to Canada being granted. “Should there have been refusal by Canada to issue import permits for product from Jamaica, the authority is not

Court Rules in Favor of Regulators in Lawsuit Blocking Cannabis Licenses Brooklyn , NY, USA: Legal cannabis can finally come to Brooklyn and Buffalo. A preliminary injunction that has for months blocked adult use cannabis retail licenses from being issued in five regions of New York has been reduced to just the Finger Lakes. The United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit issued the decision on Tuesday. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul cheered the decision on Tuesday night, saying that she was “pleased.” “For the first time, New Yorkers in nearly every region of the state will have access to safer, high-quality, adult-use cannabis products,” Hochul said. New York’s cannabis regulators took their legal battle over licensing to the Second Circuit just days ago. This move came after a U.S. District Court judge in the Northern District of New York upheld a preliminary injunction in February that has, since late 2022, prevented regulators from awarding Conditional Adult Use Retail Dispensary (CAURD) licenses in regions including Finger Lakes, Central New York, Western New York, Mid-Hudson, and Brooklyn. Regulators moved ahead with awarding CAURD licenses where they could, and the state’s first adult use sales took place in downtown Manhattan in December.

aware of these proposed consignments or reason for refusal, as no requests for permits to export to Canada have been received since 2020,” the entity said in a media release.

The CLA noted that an export authorisation is only issued to an entity after it has furnished an import authorisation from the receiving country and that authorisation is subsequently verified by the authority as legitimate. The regulator outlined that the importing company is registered with the Companies Office of Jamaica in accordance with the applicable regulation, namely the Dangerous Drugs (Cannabis Licensing) (Interim) Regulations 2016, which requires 'substantial' ownership and control by persons 'ordinarily resident' in Jamaica, or a cooperative with proof of registration under the Co-operative Societies or Friendly Societies Act. The request was made in full compliance with the applicable regulations and international treaties and it is against that background that the import authorisation was granted, said the CLA. To date, the authority has approved 224 export authorisations for ganja and four import authorisations.

ATTEnTIOn: BAnAnA AnD PLAnTAIn FARMERS Re: JAMAICA BAnAnA InDUSTRY CATASTROPHE FUnD Registration of Growers for 2023 Windstorm Season Will begin on March 6, 2023 and close May 31, 2023 10% Discount on Full Payment at Registration Growers allowed payment in two instalments Fee for growers who were registred in 2022 is $1,500 per acre fee for all others is $2,000 Per Acre Registration Stations Will Be Operated As Follows: St. James RADA Parish Office, Catherine Hall St. Thomas RADA Parish Office, Morant Bay St. Mary AIBGA Farm Store, Trinity St. Mary AIBGA Farm Store, Gayle Portland. AIBGA Farm Store, Fellowship Portland RADA Parish Office, Portland Clarendon Banana Board Office, Kingston St. Catherine Banana Board Office, Kingston Kingston & St. Andrew Banana Board Office, Kingston

March 6 - May 31, 2023 March 6 - May 31, 2023 March 6 - May 31, 2023 March 6 - May 31, 2023 March 6 - May 31, 2023 March 6 - May 31, 2023 March 6 - May 31, 2023 March 6 - May 31, 2023 March 6 - May 31, 2023

Registration is conducted daily: 9:30 am - 3:30 pm

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Chinese, Pakistani scientists join hands to combat citrus diseases, insect pests BEIJING: hinese and Pakistani scientists are collaborating to develop biological control measures to enhance the quality and quantity of citrus fruits in Pakistan. To this end, a research centre was launched in the two countries in 2018 to jointly explore green and sustainable solutions to the growing prevalence of citrus diseases across the South Asian nation. Speaking to China Economic Net (CEN), Prof Dr Qiu Baoli and Prof Dr Shaukat Ali, director and deputy director of the ChinaPakistan citrus pest management centre, said that while chemical measures can provide quick responses to citrus disease outbreaks, they also increase the resistance of pests against pesticides, posing grave environmental and health threats. The researcher told CEN reporter that the centre, initiated by South China Agricultural University and Sargodha University, has undertaken four strands of research work to produce environmentally friendly solutions. The first line of research, Dr Qiu and Dr Ali noted, focuses on the use of “lure and kill” technology to dispel pests. For example, the researchers have investigated how different types of traps and lures will affect the efficacy of capturing pests in citrus orchards across six citrus-producing Pakistani cities.

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Growers encouraged to implement measures against TR4 disease

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amaica’s Banana Board is urging farmers to implement measures to protect their holdings against the TR4 disease. Fusarium odoratissimum, more commonly known as the TR4 disease, is a threat to commercial varieties of the Jamaican banana, plantain and ornamental Heliconia crops. According to General Manager of the Banana Board, Janet Conie, the disease has the real danger or potential to wipe out the entire industry: “It is not in Jamaica and it is not yet in the Caribbean but in 2019 it came to South America to Colombia and it stayed there for a while. In 2021, it moved from Colombia to Peru and in January 2023, just two months ago, it jumped into Venezuela.” The TR4 is a soil-borne fungal disease that can stay in the soil for 30 years. Mrs. Conie pointed out that there is no cure and there are no resistant commercial varieties. “What we need to do is to keep it out. What happens when it comes is that it spreads in the soil, in water, on tools and equipment and by people moving. We are very concerned that it is in Venezuela, because the traffic between Venezuela and Trinidad is real and the traffic between Jamaica and Trinidad is very real,” she explained.

Punjab Governor urges to bring children suffering from autism into social circles Dr Qiu said that the researchers have also been developing technologies to breed parasitic wasps and predatory insects, which are natural enemies for citrus pests. “So far, we have discovered 22 new species of predatory insects and reported 7 new genera and 2 new subgenera,” he noted. “In addition, the centre has been researching biological pesticides for emergency control.

We aim to develop commercial formulas for entomopathogenic fungi targeting citrus pests and evaluate their toxicity under laboratory and field conditions,” Dr Ali told CEN, adding that strides have been made in the investigation and evaluation of Pakistan’s entomopathogenic fungal resources. Dr Qiu noted, “To effectively combat the pests, we will also develop a comprehensive pest management approach that combines various pest control strategies. The technology mix will be tested in citrus orchards in Pakistan for demonstration and promotion.” Meanwhile, the Gansu Academy of Agricultural Sciences and Sindh Agricultural University have signed a memorandum of understanding for the China-Pakistan flax research and innovation hub. “Our new flax varieties, the Longya series, are all selected according to the climate conditions of dry with little rainfall in Northwest China. In the planting experiments, the yield is generally more than 10 percent higher than that of the local varieties, and the resistance to diseases and insect pests is stronger. At present, Longya No. 11, No. 14, and No. 15 have been planted in Pakistan preliminarily. I firmly believe that the Longya series should be able to exert a good effect of drought resistance and increase yield under the climate conditions of Pakistan,” Zhao Wei, Researcher at the Crop Research Institute of GAAS, indicated in an interview with China Economic Net.

JANET CONIE General Manager, Banana Board

Banana and Plantain Farmers Must Register by March 31 to Benefit from Catastrophe Fund BY: TWILA WHEELAN eneral Manager of the Banana Board, Janet Conie, is encouraging banana and plantain farmers across the island with at least one acre or one hectare in commercial farmland, to register for the Catastrophe Fund. The Catastrophe Fund supports the recovery of farmers in the industry affected by natural disasters. Commercial banana and plantain farmers can benefit from the $38-million Catastrophe Fund established by the Banana Board, if they register before March 31. The Catastrophe Fund supports the recovery of farmers in the industry affected by natural disasters. General Manager of the Banana Board, Mrs. Janet Conie, tells JIS News that the Board has been visiting communities to encourage registration. “We have been going out and educating farmers about the fund so more of them can participate. Participation has been increasing over the last five years. We are hoping that more farmers will take part, so that where there is major damage, they can benefit,” she explains. “It triggers only when there is a catastrophe and this happens when 50 per cent of the area in production is damaged. The area is not necessarily an individual farm, it can be a parish,” Mrs. Conie added. The catastrophe fund was developed mainly for export farmers in 2007, seeded with funding from the European Union valued at $31 million and funds from farmers valued at $7 million. “We actually didn’t use the fund until 2009, and we are operating it until today. The fund is growing. We have made four payouts, so far, for tropical storm Nicole, hurricane Sandy; we had a flood in 2016 and, of course, we paid out last year, after the tropical storm,” Mrs. Conie notes. Based on the operation of the fund, a catastrophe is a great and sudden disaster in a large number of groves in a wide area. It may result mainly from local cyclonic winds, storm surges and/or floods from continual rainfall. Bananas, which are 90 per cent water, are very susceptible to the extremes of weather.

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MARCH-APRIL 2023 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • 21

PRODUCTS NEWS

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A look at Magnesium in Plant nutrition

he continuous use of mainly Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium (NPK) based fertilizers, void of other essential secondary and micronutrients, has resulted in serious decline in magnesium levels across the length and breadth of the island, especially in areas where fertigation is not practiced. An analysis of one of our most recently returned batches of soil test results, confirmed the worrying trend analysis that the Newport-Fersan’s Technical Department has been doing for some time now. As outlined in Fig.1, at best only 39% (11% high & 28% medium) of the samples collected are in a state to support any meaningful production. A classification of medium, whilst will satisfy to some level of crop production, by no means suggest that this is the ideal standard, especially where high yield goals are being considered. In essence, medium should never be seen as a comfort zone in the context of maximizing productivity. An overall 61% of the samples analyzed revealed that magnesium levels were either low or very low, thereby compromising any attempt to maximize yield, if no magnesium was to be added via a nutrient management programme. Magnesium being one of three essential secondary macronutrients, the others being Calcium (Ca) and Sulphur (S), is required by plants in moderate quantities. However, its classification as a secondary nutrient, should not be interpreted as it being less important. Simply put, it being secondary means it is required by plants in comparatively smaller quantities than the primaries – Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium.

Newport-Fersan’s recommended steps in preventing and correcting Magnesium deficiency.

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Major functions of magnesium in plants • A key component of chlorophyl, without which photosynthesis would not be possible. • An activator for several enzymes found in processes such as carbohydrate metabolism and the synthesis of nucleic acids (RNA, DNA) from polyphosphate compounds. • Aids in increasing the oil content in oilseed crops when combined with sulphur. • Aids in protein synthesis. • Required for the efficient transfer of phosphate.

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Magnesium deficiency symptoms • Interveinal chlorosis. • Appearance of anthocyanin pigment as magnesium deficiency worsens. • Necrotic spotting at the more acute stage. • Premature defoliation. Major triggers of magnesium deficiency in plants • Soils with pH that are too acidic. Soil pH below 5.5 is likely to trigger magnesium deficiency. • Nutrient imbalances: excessive application of potassium is known to compete with magnesium for absorption by plants. A K:Mg ratio of 0.2 to 0.35 in meq is considered ideal for most crops. • Poor soil conditions such as excessive moisture, low temperature, low moisture level and soil with sandy textural classification. Sandy soils tend to leach magnesium during heavy rainfalls resulting in soil being deficient. • Inadequate soil reserves of magnesium. • Inadequate application of magnesium in crop nutrition programmes.

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Fertilizer options with Magnesium (Mg) Granular (with DDP) Booster Line (Start & Yield) Potato-Lizer Coffee-Lizer Ferti-Peanut

1. Engage Newport-Fersan to have your soil analyzed to determine key information such as; existing magnesium level, organic matter content, existing pH and insight into the soil textural class. 2. Facilitate the implementation of a well-designed soil amelioration programme where applicable, since an ideal soil pH could derail all efforts to maximize yields. 3. Facilitate the implementation of a comprehensive nutrient management programme, designed based on the findings on soil test results. Our nutrient management programmes could be one of or a combination of granular and soluble options. Since magnesium recommendations could be as low as 15lbs/acre, the application of individual granules would inevitably result in over application in some areas and none in others; an ineffective and inefficient method. Newport-Fersan (Jamaica) Ltd., has long invested in the Dry Dispersible Power (DDP) Technology which is the most efficient means of applying low rates of both micro and macro nutrients. In this case, the required rate of magnesium would be blended with the NPK fertilizer, where the magnesium powder would effectively coat each NPK granule. The advanced technology ensures that wherever your NPK fertilizer get distributed, magnesium will also be easily accessible by plants.

Soluble Magnesium Sulphate Magnesium Nitrate Booster Line

For further assistance, information or farm visit, kindly contact our technical department at (876) 967-5815 extension 2226 or [email protected] Liquid Manni-Plex for Vegetable Manni-Plex Magnesium Keyplex Jump Start Keyplex Blossom DP

WHAT & WHEN TO PLANT APRIL Beetroot - can be grown year-round at high elevations or on lowlands with irrigation. Cabbage - can be grown year-round with irrigation. Carrot - can be grown year-round, though it does best in cool months. Cauliflower - can be grown year-round. Cantaloupe - September to April. Cucumber - can be grown year-round. Egg Plant - can be grown year-round. Escellion- can be grown year-round. Lettuce - can be grown year-round. Okra - grown year-round at low elevations, hot months in high areas. Pumpkin - grown year-round. Onions - March to April. String Beans - grown year-round, although it does best in the cool season. Tomato - grown year round, with irrigation. Watermelon - September to April. Zucchini- grown year-round.

MAY Beet Root- can be grown year-round at high elevations or on lowlands with irrigation. Cabbage - can be grown year-round with irrigation and rigid pest control.

Carrot - can be grown year-round, although it does best in cool months. Cauliflower - can be grown year-round, although it does best in cool months. Cucumber - can be grown year-round. Egg Plant - grown year-round. Escellion- can be grown year-round. Okra - grown year-round at low elevations, grown in high areas during hot months. Pumpkin - grown year-round. String Beans - grown year-round, although it does best during cool seasons. Tomato - grown year-round with irrigation.

JUnE Beetroot - can be grown year-round at high elevations or on lowlands with irrigation. Cabbage - can be grown year-round with irrigation and good pest control. Carrot - plant at elevations above 1,000 ft. Cauliflower - can be grown year-round with proper pest management. Cucumber - grown year-round. Egg Plant - grown year-round. Escellion- can be grown year-round. Okra - grown year-round at low elevations. Grown in high areas during hot months . Pumpkin - grown year-round.

String Beans - grown year-round at high elevations. Tomato - grown year-round with irrigation and good pest control. Older varieties such as Oxheart are not very heat-resistant.

JULY Beetroot - can be grown year-round at high elevations or on lowlands with irrigation. Cabbage - can be grown year-round with irrigation and proper pest control. Carrot - can be grown year-round, although it does best in cool months. Cauliflower - can be grown year-round, although it does best in cool months. Cucumber - grown year-round. Egg Plant - grown year-round. Lettuce - grown year-round. Escellion - can be grown year-round. Okra - grown year-round at low elevations, grown in high areas during hot months. Pumpkin - grown year-round. Sorrel - planted to be reaped in December to January. String Beans - grown year-round although it grows best during cool season or where elevations are high . Tomato - grown year-round with irrigation.

Farmers’ Almanac 2023

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22 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • MARCH-APRIL 2023

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Senior in Agriculture

The strength of a woman my income differently from selling bun and cheese and snacks". Although her two sons aren't farmers, she spoke proudly about one of her grandsons, who is a farmer. She shared that her first grandson was a scholar and attended the New Providence School. "He did very well in school and got many awards. He got a scholarship and attended Camperdown, where he became a part-time teacher years later. Tragedy struck again. "Labour Day 2009, he was teaching a few children in the community and was shot and died. We had high hopes for him; I was unfortunate for a while. I am grateful for my other grandchildren, though"Leanoria shared that she is grateful for the farming inputs and technical support she received from RADA over the years as a recipient of a goat a few years ago, fertilizer, and seedlings recently. “She's always early for the meetings, and I admire her as an older farmer and community member," Ms. Faithy shared. A true farmer defying the odds Ms. Lenon exudes the strength of a woman that is to be celebrated during March Women's Month and April Farmer's Month.

By Ruth Stennett [email protected]

A

s Murphy's law states, "anything that can go wrong will." This has been the lifelong story of eighty years old Leanoria Lenon, a resident of the Land Lease, St Andrew. She has been a resident of the community for over sixty years. Born June 29, 1942, Lenon was born and raised in Mt. Oakley, Port Antonio, Portland. She lived with her parents, brothers, and sister. She enjoyed her childhood years while attending Boundbrook Primary School. At nine, her mother became mentally ill and was admitted to the Bellevue Hospital in Kingston. Tragedy struck two years later when her father died. As a result, she was taken to the Alpha Girls Home in Kingston to live. Although Lenon experienced all these challenges, she refused to become despondent. All was not lost, as her family members would visit her. While residing at Alpha during her teenage years, she assisted with preparing meals for the boarders and became the cook after a few years. She shared that she was grateful for what she learned from the sisters at the Alpha Girls Home. When she became an adult, she lived with her sister in Jones Town and became a domestic helper. A few years later, she got married, relocated to Tavern, and had two sons. She later relocated to Land Lease with her husband. She was able to lease 1/2 acre of farmland with her sister and husband. Ms. Lenon was grateful for the opportunity as she had loved farming from childhood, having been exposed to agriculture by her father. She shared one of her fondest childhood memories: "My father taught me to plant bananas, and my plant came out better than his," she laughed while recounting. While residing in the community, she was a vendor at the school gate for over sixty years. When she completed her sales for the day, she would return home to do her farming. Again Tragedy struck when her sister died shortly after her husband died due to ill health. Again she chose to persevere despite the challenges. Lenon shared that her main crops are callaloo, pakchoi, and ackee. Sharing a light moment, not one to rely on others, Ms. Lenon shared that she would climb the ackee tree to pick ackees herself over the years, but she has discontinued doing so. On her farm is also banana, plantain, orange, cane, lime, irish potato, tomato, soursop and scotch bonnet pepper. She also does livestock farming, including chicken, goats, and pigs. The customers she shared are community residents, security guards, teachers, and

Leanoria Lenon, 80 Land Lease, St Andrew

parents of students attending school in the community over the years. She also sells on the main road and to vendors in the market. "The customers would order, and I would deliver the product to them." When I met with Lenon on her farm, she shared that she had just returned from delivering a callaloo she had farmed. "Her callaloo eat nice. The quality is excellent," Ms. Faithy, a younger farmer and community member, said. "She is hard-working, well-loved by the community members, and is very supportive," Ms. Faithy shared.

Leanoria Lenon taking care of her plants

When asked if she had a message for other seniors, she said," farming is essential. I feel independent and proud to farm my food. It helps me to pay my bills and adds to

If you are a senior interested in farming or related to a senior interested in farming, please feel free to contact me. I look forward to being inspired by you. I can be contacted at 876-5377542 or [email protected] __________________________________ _ Ruth J. Stennett is an advocate for seniors and Director of the Senior in Agriculture Programme.

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