The Agriculturalist Newspaper _ Jan-Feb 2019

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VOL. 29 NO. 1 •

JAN-FEB 2019

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Spence replaced Stanberry See Page 7

Save the farmlands

Dermon Luke Spence Permanent Secretary, MICAF

By Patrick Maitland Editor, The Agriculturalist

A

fter months of speculations, strategic development specialist and agricultural administrator, Dermon Luke Spence, has been appointed Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries (MICAF), effective Jan. 2, 2019.

Continued on page 4

2 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • JAN-FEB 2019

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JAN-FEB 2019 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • 3

EDITORIAL

Dermon Luke Spence as permanent secretary T

he appointment of noted agriculturalist Mr. Dermon Luke Spence as permanent secretary at the Ministry of Industry Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries (MICAF), signaled the government’s intention to put agriculture on the forefront of the island's economic growth agenda.

Mr. Spence is known as a strategic thinker and an “action man” who always gets things done in a timely order when others would mess-up and procrastinate.

Such characteristics and personal attributes are continuously lacking among top tiered Jamaican public servants.

A demonstration of positive attitude to get things done is therefore a major step towards achieving success at the Ministry.

MICAF is a “super ministry” covering some 20 government agencies and departments charged with the responsibility of driving the integration of the production of primary agricultural produce along all the

PATRICK MAITLAND Publisher - The Agriculturalist patrick@theagriculturalist.com

stages of the supply chain through to value added, and facilitating full commercialization of outputs of the agriculture, manu-

facturing, and service sectors.

Those sectors or industries under MICAF are contributing more than 30 percent to Jamaica’s Gross Domestic Products (GDP), while providing some 40 percent of the labour force.

Already facing operational challenges as a result of its diversity and constant pressure to implement government policies, MICAF always needs a strong permanent secretary who commands the influence and respect of industry leaders.

The stark reality in the face of the slow growth in the Jamaican economy is the persistent poor performance of agriculture, and manufacturing sectors.

Permanent secretary Spence would have to hit the grounds -- understanding the issues affecting farmers and other stakeholders.

The indiscriminate importation of farm produce, disappearing farmlands, lack of investment in agriculture, poor

marketing and a dilapidated research facility should be among Mr. Spence’s top priority issues.

However, the human resources capacity of the Ministry needs major overall as agriculturalists and other related scientists have been marginalized over the years.

On the other hand, Government resources cannot adequately address the needs of those productive sectors. Therefore the Ministry cannot operate in isolation.

Foraging a mutual beneficial partnership with private sector companies and organizations -- Jamaica Agricultural Society and farm input supplies companies -should be an integral part of the solutions to grow the agricultural and industrial sectors.

We are however, joining members of our community in endorsing the appointment of Mr. Spence as the best person for the post of permanent secretary.

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 editor@theagriculturalist.com. Responses should be no longer than 400 words. Not all articles will be published.

OPINIONS

Game-changing initiatives to boost agricultural production

L

and utilization, farm, and crop loss insurance, research and development infrastructure, the establishment of agricultural production zones, synchronize and monitor the output and performance of statutory bodies as well as a registrar of farmers organizations are among the gamechanging initiatives needed to boost Jamaican agricultural production.

Land Utilization - There will be a reevaluation of the land use management process with the intention to decelerate and eventually stop the pace and manner in which irrigated land is taken out of agriculture for housing and tourist attractions.

Farm and Crop Loss Insurance - We have developed the concept document outlining the mechanism for the off-budget financing of a crop loss and farm insurance program.

Stakeholder consultation has commenced.

Research and Development Infrastructure - We will review, renew and bring meaning and effect to the research and development centres at Bodles, Montpelier, and Orange River in St Mary.

These R&D centres will again guide the development direction to assure our food supply.

Establishment of Agricultural Production Zones – This should be introduced in phases and operated in a manner that will relieve the farmers of the burden of start-up financial and infrastructural costs, thereby unlocking their entrepreneurial and productive capacities with the effect of producing food for the domestic

market, the export market the tourism sector and for manufacturing.

Synchronize and monitor the output and performance of Statutory bodies – The establishment of a mechanism to synchronize and monitor the production and delivery of the public bodies within the Agriculture portfolio. The monitoring of the output and delivery from these public bodies will go a far way in the process of accountability for the stewardship of the various boards. It will also examine and give oversight to policy implementation and compliance with Ministerial directives relating to output from each entity.

We should create an office of registrar of farmers organizations to streamline and manage the assistance provided to farmers from the state resources. It will also offer the opportunity to track and trace the performance of the sector through these organizations. The registrar will accredit the organizations using different standards for assessment. This will eliminate the confusion as to which farmers groups are eligible for accessing public funding and support.

The establish a livestock development board will bring greater focus and coor-

574 0123

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By OMER THOMAS Agricultural Consultant omerthomas@yahoo.com

dination to the livestock sub-sector. This will bring together the several unimplemented policy initiatives which have failed for a myriad of reasons.

The absence of attention and directional guidance for the development within the various livestock subsectors has resulted in some of the complications we experience today. This formalization of legislation and policies to govern the entire livestock sub-sector will be a step in the right direction in assuring our food and nutrition security.

Publisher & Editor:

Patrick Maitland Consulting Editors:

Vincent Wright, Jairzenho Bailey Produced & Published by:

Agri Life Foundation Ltd AMC Complex, 188 Spanish Town Road, Kingston 11, Jamaica, W.I. Tel: (876) 923-7471• 923-7428 agriculturalist@gmail.com editor@theagriculturalist.com www.theagriculturalist.com

4 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • JAN-FEB 2019

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NEWS

TECHNOLOGY: Michelle Sherwood (3rd right), Deputy Director, Crop and Plant Protection Unit, Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, discusses ginger with participants (from left) Oreane Collins, Laboratory Assistant , Scientific Research Council; Sheldon Blackwood, Tissue Culture Analyst, Northern Caribbean University; Dr. Seymour Webster, Head of Department, Department of Plants, Sciences and Engineering, College of Agriculture, Science and Education; and Nordia Cunningham (right), Zonal Plant Health Food safety Officer, Rural Agricultural Development Authority; at a workshop on Single Bud Nursery Technology and Good Practices in Cultivation of Ginger at the Bodles Research Station in St. Catherine on December 20, 2018. At 2nd right is the trainer Dr. Duraisamy Saravanakumar (left), International Consultant at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.

Namdhari varietty:

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JAN-FEB 2019 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • 5

NEWS

Boothe chairs JACRA's board C

ertified Public Accountant and management consultant, Dennis Boothe, has been appointed chairman of the Jamaica Agricultural Commodities Regulatory Authority and Audley Shaw, senior advisor to Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries (MICAF).

Boothe, who also served as consultant/general manager of the defunct Jamaica Citrus Growers Limited, is a former banker and chairman of the Financial Sector Adjustment Company.

Boothe took up assignments at MICAF in December 2018.

JACRA's first chairman, Richard Pandohie, resigned soon after taking the position last year.

Other members of the JACRA board are: John O. Minott, Coffee Representative and Deputy Chairman; Glendon Davis, Cocoa Representative; Stephen Black, Coconut Representative, Horace Sherlock, Spices Representative; Gusland

A Dennis Boothe McCook, Acting Director General, JACRA; and Shaun Baugh and Sheldon Elliott of the MICAF. JACRA, the new commodities regulator responsible for overseeing the coconut, spices, coffee, and cocoa sectors, launched operations in Jan. 2018.

gro Invest Corporation is in search for a new CEO as Sylburn Thomas who serve in the post since October 2017 resigned effective December 2018. Thomas said he would be focusing on his export and trading company, Jatagma Limited.

Michael Pryce, a senior director at the Ministry of Agriculture & Fisheries is the acting CEO.

Allan Rickards Chairman, All-Island Jamaica Cane Farmers Association million and $800 million to operate the factory.

But Mr. Rickards said it would cost significantly less. "The cost to repair the factory would be, as we submitted, round about the cost stated in that release to the movement of the cane. The rest of the financing would be an advance awaiting the proceeds of the sale of the sugar so produced; and when we do the mathematics using conservative estimates, the difference would be no more than $300 million in terms of the shortfall between expenditure and income from sugar," he explained.

F

ormer CEO of the Jamaica Agricultural Development Foundation and the current Executive Director, Betting Gaming & Lotteries Commission Vitus Evans was recently promoted to chair Agro Invest Corporation board of directors after serving some two years as deputy chairman.

He replaced Grace Burnett.

Industry Appointments • Dr. Hugh Lambert - Executive Director (Acting) Jamaica Bauxite Institute • Melvin Henry - Technical Manager, Newport-Fersan (Jamaica) Limited • Gabriel Heron, Vice President of Marketing, JAMPRO

Cane farmers upset with decision to transport cane from Monymusk to Appleton T J he All-Island Jamaica Cane Farmers Association is unhappy with the government's decision to transport sugar cane from the Monymusk factory in Clarendon to the Appleton sugar factory in St. Elizabeth for processing.

The decision was made despite proposals from cane farmers for Monymusk to continue operations.

In a news release on Thursday, the Agriculture Ministry said it will assist in transporting up to 105,000 tonnes of sugar cane from the Monymusk and Bernard Lodge sugar factories for processing at the Appleton and the Worthy Park sugar factories in St. Catherine.

Allan Rickards, President of the All-Island Jamaica Cane Farmers Association, said the situation is disappointing, especially because it appears the ministry had taken the decision "long ago and that, in fact, our discussions with the ministry was just a placecard."

"We also are facing a situation where the logistical exercise of moving the cane to those two factories indicate clearly to us that it will not be possible for the cane, estimated at about 105,000 tonnes conservatively, to be taken off by those two factories, which means many farmers are going to be left with their canes unreaped," he added.

Mr. Rickards questioned the cost presented by the Agriculture Ministry to rehabilitate and operate the Monymusk sugar factory.

In a news release Thursday, the ministry said it would require between $600

Evans AIC Chair

Thomas resigned

JAMPRO recruits new VP of Marketing

AMPRO has recruited a new Vice President of Marketing to support the Agency's recent restructuring exercise that aims to strengthen JAMPRO's marketing strategy, and increase Jamaica's competitiveness in the global foreign direct investment (FDI) sphere.

With experience at iconic Jamaican companies such as J. Wray & Nephew (Appleton) and JN Money Services, Mr. Heron is a Strategic Marketing and Business Development Executive with over 12 years of experience leading key local and international strategic marketing initiatives. His career highlights include the development and launching of global 360-degree marketing campaigns targeting Jamaica & the Caribbean diaspora.

Heron holds a BSc. in Pure & Applied Chemistry from the University of the West Indies; and an MBA with a focus in Marketing and Finance from the University of Brunel, London, United Kingdom. He has also been certified as a Digital Marketing Professional by the Digital Marketing Institute in the UK. The new JAMPRO executive will lead the Marketing division which includes the Agency’s regional offices in Montego Bay, London, Toronto and New York and the Agency’s Contact Management Centre, New Market Development and Integrated Marketing Communications departments. He will also be at the helm of JAMPRO’s renewed digital marketing strategy.

Gabriel Heron, JAMPRO’s new Vice President of Marketing

Heron said he was pleased to join the JAMPRO team, and he is looking forward to supporting the Agency’s mission for Jamaica. He expressed his passion for Jamaica and brand Jamaica and he is happy to be a part of JAMPRO’s marketing vision for 2019 and beyond. Heron said, “Jamaica is going through a transformative period and building awareness across the globe about the investment opportunities locally is critical. I am very enthusiastic to play my role in national development by applying my knowledge and experience in marketing.”

6 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • JAN-FEB 2019

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JAN-FEB 2019 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • 7

NEWS

Save the farmlands T

he Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS) is objecting to the current divestment or use of lands that are solely agricultural, to carry out any other activity other than farming.

“We cannot achieve sustainable and efficient food production without arable lands to grow crops and produced livestock,” President of the JAS, Lenworth Fulton noted.

Fulton is also calling on the government to develop a land utilization policy to manage the use of island’s limited arable farmlands.

“We are heading for a major food crisis as Jamaica is losing up to 1,000 hectares of its best farmland annually,” the president claimed.

Map of the Essex Valley Agriculture Development Project: Lenworth Fulton President JAS

Audley Shaw(right), Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, presents a copy of the map of the Essex Valley Agriculture Development Project (EVADP) to Dr. William Smith, President of the Caribbean Development Bank, at the launch of the EVADP on January 16 at Lititz in St. Elizabeth.

Holness Calls for More Jamaicans to Get Involved in Agriculture

By Nickieta Sterling JIS Reporter rime Minister, Andrew Holness, has heightened the call for more Jamaicans “from all walks of life” to venture into agriculture, emphasising that the sector is an important contributor to the growth of the Jamaican economy.

“We should never limit agriculture, because the moment that we limit agriculture to being merely a manual and domestic endeavour, then we limit ourselves and the potential for growth. Make no mistake, agriculture is big business, and it should run the gamut,” the Prime Minister said.

He was speaking at the official launch of the Essex Valley Agriculture Development Project, held at the Lititz Primary School in St. Elizabeth, on January 16.

“We must dispense with the historical and social issues that have limited our perception and our understanding of agriculture. As I stand here, I want to tell you… I want to go into farming. I believe it is one of the most rewarding and noble endeavours, and we want more Jamaicans from all walks of life, whether you wear a bush jacket or fancy shirt or jacket and tie, to get involved.

All of us must put our hands in the soil and turn it and create some value,” Holness said.

P

The project, which represents one of the largest investments in irrigation infrastructure in Jamaica, will impact the livelihoods of over 700 farmers on 718 hectares of land, through the provision of irrigation water and improved access to local and global agricultural markets.

Holness said that the Government, through “vertical integration”, will seek to spur growth in the agricultural sector, through infrastructural improvements and increasing investment in the sector.

“For agriculture to grow, you must look at what is called vertical integration. You must create not just production opportunities of the crop but you have to create the processing facilities and infrastructure. On top of that, you have to create the markets for the distribution, and then you have to parallel with that, the financial systems to support it,” he argued.

In the meantime, the Prime Minister expressed gratitude to the British government for funding the Essex Valley Development project, stating that any investment in agriculture will propel the country to economic independence.

“Let me say thanks to the British government for its consideration and funding this project through the United Kingdom

Caribbean Infrastructure Partnership Fund (UKCIF). This is the kind of support that is going to move the needle,” Mr. Holness said.

The Essex Valley development is being funded through a grant of £35.5 million from the UKCIF, which is administered by the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB).

In addition to improving irrigation systems, the project entails other components to boost agriculture in Essex Valley.

These include training for farmers and other stakeholders in food-safety standards and climate-smart agriculture practices; design and construction of a photovoltaic plant to power the irrigation system and related administrative buildings; financing for a climate vulnerability assessment study to enhance the sustainability of the systems developed under the project; development of guidelines to support the participation of men, women, youth and persons with disabilities; and an operational plan to enhance the viability and sustainability of the facilities and services.

Ground was also broken for the development of six irrigation wells that will supply water for the project.

LAND ISSUES KINGSTON: here remains divided opinion in the legal community over whether the limitation period for a squatter qualifying to apply for a registered title should be shortened or extended.

However, there is unison that there needs to be urgent land reform to reflect modern realities in Jamaica.

The issue of land ownership in Jamaica remains extremely contentious and is a major source of litigation both in the parish courts and the Supreme Court.

Currently, for private lands, a squatter under certain circumstances is able to dispossess the registered owner after a period of twelve years, while for government lands this period is sixty years.

Attorney-at-Law Anthony Williams argues that the 12-year time period is too short and this should have been amended to 20 years a long time ago.

Attorney-at-Law Gloria Brown agrees reform is needed but has taken the opposite view in terms of the 12-year period.

She argued that abandonment is a serious problem in Jamaica and extending this 12-year period will not stop it.

T

8 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • JAN-FEB 2019

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NEWS Bernard Lodge farmers yet Who is Dermon to be involved in talks about Luke Spence? proposed land developments S D BERNARD LODGE: espite the government stating that stakeholder consultations are being held in relation to development of the Bernard Lodge lands in St. Catherine, farmers on the property say they are yet to be included in the discussions.

The 4,700 acres of former cane lands are to be transformed into an urban community which would include 17,000 housing solutions, commercial offices, schools, and light industrial facilities, with space for agricultural production.

The farmers, who call themselves The Bernard Lodge Farmers Group, wrote to Prime Minister Andrew Holness on December 27, calling for a halt to the plans until proper consultations are held with stakeholders.

The letter was sent following a meeting of the more than 60 members of the group which was attended by representatives of several other interest groups and political representatives.

There has been no response yet from the government.

Hugh Johnson, President of the Small Business Association of Jamaica, who has been designated the group's spokesperson and who also has a farm at Bernard Lodge, said apart from the fact that the government has not had consultations with the stakeholders about the planned develop-

Hugh Johnson, President Small Businesses Association of Jamaica ments, there are other factors which cause concern.

"We believe that we should not, at this juncture, go against the expert advice in establishing a city there when our underground water for the area is threatened by that proposal, employment of over a thousand persons is also threatened by that, (and) the environmental impact as it relates to existing inhabitants of Portmore," he noted.

Government to remove GCT on eggs A

griculture Minister Audley Shaw says the government will be removing the General Consumption Tax (GCT) on table eggs amid complaints about the crippling effects it is having on the industry.

Shaw made the disclosure at the Association's 18th annual general meeting, held recently in Ocho Rios, St. Ann. However, the Minister did not provide any timeline when the tax will be removed.

President of the Jamaica Egg Farmers' Association, Roy Baker, says the GCT, which was implemented in 2012, has created disparities in the industry.

He also believes that removing the GCT will spur growth in the industry.

However, Baker agrees that the Government needs revenue and believes it should instead tax egg powder among other options.

JCF setting up Agricultural Produce Protection Division

T

he Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) will be establishing an Agricultural Produce Protection Division as part of efforts to intensify the clampdown on praedial larceny.

The Praedial Larceny Prevention Unit will be subsumed under this division.

J.C. Hutchinson, Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, said the division will boost law-enforcement focus on the myriad of issues affecting the agricultural sector.

It will be based at the JCF's Operations Branch. Mr. Hutchinson made the disclosure while addressing members of the JCF and farmers at a Praedial Larceny Prevention workshop at the Medallion Hall Hotel in Kingston on Wednesday.

In the meantime, Mr. Hutchinson reiterated that the Ministry of Agriculture is proposing amendments to the Agricultural Produce Act and Praedial Larceny Prevention Act.

By Patrick Maitland Editor-The Agriculturalist trategic development specialist and agricultural administrator, Dermon Luke Spence, has been appointed Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries (MICAF), effective January 2, 2019.

Mr. Spence has been described as an experienced executive with a proven record of success in strategic corporate planning, management, marketing, and business development. His professional career start spans some 32 years, including time as a high school teacher, farm manager, lecturer, educator, researcher, consultant, and administrator.

He had served as Chief Technical Director at MICAF since January 2014 and provided technical advice to the Permanent Secretary and Minister on agricultural issues and other related technical matters and prepared technical papers as required. He was also very active in the day-to-day management of the Ministry, providing leadership in the development and implementation of change initiatives.

Mr. Spence recently completed a oneyear assignment at the Office of the Prime Minister where he led the strategic coordination and implementation of the merger of the HEART Trust NTA, the National Youth Service, the Jamaica Lifelong Learning and the Apprenticeship Board.

He served more than 15 years at the HEART Trust/NTA in several capacities, including National Programmes Director, senior director, and manager of the Ebony Park Academy.

Mr. Spence served on several corporate and public sector boards, including Western

Dermon Luke Spence Permanent Secretary, MICAF Hospitality Institute (Chairman); Rural Agricultural Development Authority; Cannabis Licensing Authority; Fisheries Management and Development Fund; National Compliance Regulatory Authority; College of Agriculture, Science and Education, and Southern Regional Health Authority.

His formal education includes a Master of Science (MSc.), and Bachelor of Science (BSc.), General Agriculture from University of the West Indies (UWI), St. Augustine, Trinidad, as well as an Associate of Science (ASc.) from the College of Agriculture, Science & Education (CASE).

Spence replaced Stanberry Continued from page 1 The appointment was confirmed and acknowledged by portfolio Minister Audley Shaw and Prime Minister Andrew Holness at the recent launch of the Essex Valley Agriculture Development project in St Elizabeth.

Holness also expressed full confidence in Spence, noting that he regards him as a “diligent professional.”

President of the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS), Lenworth Fulton, described Spence as a “very committed and strategic thinker” who will create strong partnerships with the government and with the private sector to enhance the slumping Jamaican agricultural sector.

Spence said he was very humbled and honoured to be afforded the opportunity to serve as the permanent secretary in the island’s largest ministry, which includes producing food and facilitating trade and industries.

“My vast experience in international negotiations and trade, as well as strategic production systems management, prepares me for the tasks ahead. I am therefore guided to serve in multiple sectors creating sustainable growth to better the lives of all Jamaicans

while turning our national vision into reality,” Spence told The Agriculturalist.

Spence’s professional career spans some 32 years, including stints as a high school teacher, farm manager, lecturer, educator, researcher, consultant, and administrator.

He has served as Chief Technical Director at MICAF since January 2014 and was seconded to Office of the Prime Minister for a two-year assignment merger of the HEART Trust NTA, the National Youth Service, the Jamaica Lifelong Learning and the Apprenticeship Board. However, he completed the technical components of the assignment within one year.

His formal education includes a Master of Science and Bachelor of Science in General Agriculture from the University of the West Indies, as well as an Associate of Science from the College of Agriculture, Science & Education.

Spence replaced Donovan Stanberry who had been the permanent secretary for some 13 years. Stanberry, in an email to his colleagues at the Ministry, said he would be on secondment to the University of the West Indies, Mona.

10 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • JAN-FEB 2019

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Obituaries

Veteran Agriculturalist Dr Garnet Brown died

R

etired public servant and agriculturalist Dr. Garnet Brown died Jan. 19 at his St Andrew home after a short illness. He was 83.

Dr. Brown recently completed a fiveyear contract with the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture, and Fisheries to rationalize several commodity boards (Coffee, Cocoa, Coconut and Spices) to establish the Jamaica Agricultural Commodities Regulatory Authority.

Dr. Brown served some 40 years in the public service, with various scientific, managerial and leadership capacities, including the development of numerous public sector entities. He was the founding Executive Chairman of the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), successfully merging 13 previously existing Agricultural Land Authorities into one national organization.

He is also founding Executive Chairman of the National Irrigation Commission

Limited, merging four previously existing non-performing Irrigation Bodies; founding Executive Chairman/Dean of Management Institute for National Development (MIND), successfully joining four prior existing Government Training Institute and founder of the Natural Resources Conservation Department (NRCD), forerunner of the Natural Resources Conservation Authority, by merging four previously existing agencies into one efficient organization.

His academic credentials include B.Sc. (New Brunswick); M.Sc. (Yale); M.A., M.Div. (Caribbean Graduate School of Theology); Ph.D. (Oxford), plus Post-doctoral Studies.

Dr. Brown was awarded membership in the Order of Jamaica for exceptional and exemplary service to agriculture. Two daughters survive Dr. Brown.

His funeral will be held on January 31 at the University Chapel at The University of the West Indies, Mona.

Obituaries • Nadine Pryce Former National Farm Queen and a lecturer at the Knox Community College. She is a graduateof CASE..

• Errol Webley worked for four years as an Agronomist with the Sugar Industry Research Institute prior to migrating, along with his family, to the USA. Webley is a graduate of the former Jamaica School of Agriculture in 1977.

• Sean ‘Fat Fibre’ Hylton died recently after suffering a massive heart attack. He was employed as a teacher of Chemistry and Physics at the Knox College, He is a member of the CASE graduating class of 1991. Send info: editor@theagriculturalist.com

JAN-FEB 2019 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • 11

The Board, Management and Staff of the National Irrigation Commission (NIC) Pays Tribute to the Founding Chairman, Rev. Dr. the Hon Garnet Brown, OJ, CD, JP ev. Dr. Brown is a son of St. Ann, born January 21, 1936 in Fort George. He attended Holmwood Technical High School and the then Jamaica School of Agriculture and several Universities including University of New Brunswick, Yale University, Oxford University and the Caribbean Graduate School of Theology.

In the Irrigation Sector, he will always be remembered as a pioneer who has positively influenced virtually every area of the Industry.

He can truly be described as a visionary with an excellent mind, a sharp wit, and someone with much simple common sense who performed his duties diligently, with kindness and understanding, yet with gentle firmness.

He was compassionate without bending the rules and regulations, and above all, managed without fear or favour.

Rev. Dr. Brown will be remembered for his vision of conceptualizing and implementing such a wide range of Public Sector bodies, and in particular, the National Irrigation Commission Limited, which brought to an end, a fragmented Irrigation Sector in Jamaica. As founding Chairman of the NIC, he served from May 26, 1987 to December 2005 and kept in constant contact until his passing.

Rev. Dr. Brown, though retired from the Public Sector, continued to give yeoman service to his country in his capacity as Minister of Religion within the Jamaica District of the Methodist Church in the Caribbean and the Americas (MCCA).

May his soul rest in peace.

Sadly missed by the NIC family.

R

TRIBUTE TO THE LATE DR. THE REV. DR. HON. GARNET BROWN He was a mentor to us –as the plans were being made to establish JACRA, Rev. Dr. Brown would often take the opportunity to guide us on how to approach and handle certain matters as a new corporate body.

He made it possible for several members of JACRA to garner experience in the conduct of Union and Industrial Relations matters as some of the changes in the merger involved the separation of some employees.

Dr. Brown was respectful to all -irrespective of their position in the organization. He would listen keenly to everyone’s contribution and effortlessly put each at ease to make his/her input. He never lost the common human touch.

To his family, we say – JACRA shares in your loss and thank you for sharing him with us.

Rev. Dr. Garnet Brown has touched and positively impacted the staff of the JACRA. His legacy will remain with the Organization for many years to come.

T

he staff of the Jamaica Agricultural Commodities Regulatory Authority (JACRA) is grateful for the invaluable work of the late Rev. Dr. Garnet Brown in the amalgamation of the Coffee Industry Board, Cocoa Industry Board, the Regulatory arm of the Coconut Industry Board and the Export Division of the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries into one regulatory organization, JACRA. As a minister of the gospel, Rev. Dr. Brown always commenced his meetings with a prayer seeking God’s direction and wisdom to guide the gathering and the decisions made.

Rev. Dr. Brown was a visionary, he was meticulous in his approach, always seeking out critical information which was considered vital to making an organization workable.

He had such great foresight and insight hence he never left anything to chance.

Rev. Dr. Brown had a wealth of knowledge on various subjects. The discourse in those meetings always had an element of teaching from which the Organization benefitted.

Rev. Dr. Brown knew how to engage his audience even in those high-tensioned meetings when hard decisions had to be made, and emotions of some staff escalated, he would interject with a humorous comment or an exchange that would inevitably diffuse the tension and helped to realign the focus of all.

The Management and Staff, JACRA

Rev. Dr. Garnet Brown, OJ, CD, JP Dee 21, 1935 - Jan 19, 2019

12 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • NOV-DEC 2018

COMMUNITY PHOTOS

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COFFEE EXPORTERS: Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Daryl Vaz (right, standing), observes as President of Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO), Diane Edwards (second left, seated), signs a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), at the JAMPRO offices in New Kingston on January 4. Also signing (from left) are Chairman of the Jamaica Agricultural Commodities Regulatory Authority (JACRA), Dennis Booth and Chairman of the Jamaica Coffee Exporters Association (JCEA), Norman Grant. Standing (at left) is Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Dermon Spence.

PHOTO: MARK BELL

Coffee Festival set for March 1-3 Member of Parliament for St. Andrew East Rural, Juliet Holness and Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett, sample coffee at the recent launch of the Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee Festival, at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel, New Kingston. MICAF in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism will host the Coffee Festival set for March 1-3, 2019 at The Jamaica Defence Force training grounds, Newcastle, St Andrew. The festival will celebrate, promote and market Jamaican culinary products and coffee.

CERTIFIED TO EXPORT: Some 19 farmers in Southern Manchester are now certified to export various crops to international markets, under the good agricultural practices programme, GLOBALGAP. The farmers who are based at the New Forest/Duff House Agro-Park, display their certificates on Friday (November 16), during a ceremony held at the facility, which followed a series of training.

INVESTOR CIRCLE MICRO-GRANT: Bee farmer and Jamaica Agriculture Task Force (JDAT) Investor Circle micro grant recipient, Patricia Parchment (r), accepting her award from JDAT Investor Circle local coordinator, Onyije Chigozili, during a presentation ceremony at recently the Denbigh Agricultural Showground in Clarendon, Jamaica WI.

EGG FARMERS MEETING: Director Howard Paulwell speaking at the Jamaica Egg Farmers Association 18th annual general meeting held in Ocho Rios, St. Ann, on January 9, 2019. Among the topics discussed were the glut that was experienced by egg farmers in 2018 and the need for the removal of GCT on eggs.

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NOV-DEC 2018 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • 13

Jamaica and Japan Celebrate

Blue Mountain Coffee Day - January 9

By Kimmy Blair Writer-The Agriculturalist he Jamaica Coffee Exporters Association along with its over 7,000 coffee farmers in association with the Jamaica Agricultural Commodities Regulatory Authority (JACRA) celebrate Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee Day on January 9, 2019.

Jamaica’s coffee industry is one of the country’s most important sub-sectors, touching the lives of 102,000 farm families and generating approximately US $25 million annually.

Eighty five per cent of production is generated by small farmers, with the Japanese market absorbing 70 per cent of Jamaica’s premium Blue Mountain coffee exports, widely regarded as the best coffee in the world. The USA imports 20 percent and Europe and the rest of the world 10 percent.

The celebration of Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee Day comes against the background of Japan legislating that January 9 be proclaimed Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee Day in Japan in recognition

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of that date when the largest shipment of Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee left Kingston to Japan in 1967, following the first direct shipment from Jamaica to Japan in March 1953.

Chairman of the Jamaica Coffee Exporters Association, Norman Grant says that “the mission of the Jamaica Coffee Exporters Association, in tandem with the various stakeholders is to grow and redevelop the Jamaica, coffee industry through increased production and productivity of our farmers, sustainable prices, brand development and expansion and market development and diversification.

The celebration of Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee Day in Jamaica and Japan is part of this initiative.

Among our objectives is to market Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee to the over 4.3 million tourists that visit our country annually, as well as to expand the Jamaica Blue Mountain brand globally and the refreshing of the brand which we believe will stimulate demand for JBM Coffee.”

‘Best tasting coffee’ T

he Jamaican coffee industry has become a world-famous brand which is as synonymous with Jamaica as is reggae music to our beloved island.

Indeed, for more than 50 years Jamaica has been exporting the Blue Mountain Coffee to places such as Japan. Coffee exports have been robust for several years and has contributed significantly to Jamaica’s economy.

The Japanese market is responsible for some 70% of our coffee export from which the country earned US$25 Million annually over the last five years. For the Japanese consumers, they would be benefiting from having the lion’s share of the best tasting coffee being produced anywhere in the world. It is therefore an excellent mutually beneficial relationship between Jamaica and Japan.

A very famous Japanese wine sommelier, Mr. Shinya Tasaki said that Jamaica’s Blue Mountain Coffee had a “good balance of flavour accentuated with a fresh acidic taste. Just like wine, the coffee beans flavour changes based on the soil and climatic conditions in which they are grown.”

Blue Mountain Coffee is unlike any other. It is unique and is incomparable. It has withstood the test of time and like fine wine, gets better with age. The aroma brings many together and Japan importing our coffee throughout the years shows a demonstration of its faith and confidence in this strong Ja-

By Andrew Holness Prime Minister, Jamaica maican Brand. This partnership with Japan will continue to be strengthened.

However, our Blue Mountain brand has come under pressure caused by several issues locally and international which include crop disruption and brand piracy.

As a Government we have taken steps to ensure the Blue Mountain Coffee brand remains strong.

It is with tremendous pride that I greet the news of the honour being bestowed on this truly, 100% Jamaican product. The celebration of January 9, 2019 as Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee Day in Japan is a big moment.

We are honoured that Jamaica has been chosen for this celebration.

COFFEE DAY CELEBRATION: Jamaica Coffee Exporters Association executives Jason Sharp (director) (1st l) and Norman Grant (chairman) and Jamaican Ambassodor to Japan Ricardo Allicock (2nd l) at the recent launch of Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee Day in Tokyo, Japan. Grant said that as part of the Jamaica Coffee Exporters strategy to develop the Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee brand and expand the market: "We are now seeking the engagement of over 25 million coffee stakeholders globally to join Jamaica in celebrating the finest coffee in the world.”

14 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • JAN-FEB 2019

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WORLD AFFAIRS Nigeria Loses $9b Annually On Poor Agri Investment

By The Eagle Online Ado Ekiti, Nigerian: he Federal Government on Sunday said it was losing 9 billion dollars (N3.2 trillion) annually due to poor investment in agriculture before the present administration came to power.

The Minister of State for Agriculture, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, disclosed this at Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, at a reception and lunch in his honour by founder of the university, Chief Afe Babalola (SAN).

Lokpobiri said: “Before President Buhari came, Nigeria was losing $9 billion revenue earnings annually in agriculture sector.”

The minister said Nigeria was also losing over 240 metric tonnes of fish production in the world market that could have increased foreign earnings and boosted the economy before the advent of President Muhammadu Buhari’s led administration.

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Heineken Lokpobiri Nigerian Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development

He said: “In Nigeria, we are not producing enough fish to feed our population, that is why we are relying heavily on importation.

“The deficit between demand and supply was 2.5 million metric tonnes annually; this is about 320 containers.

“You can imagine the quantum of revenue we lost to low production in this sector alone.

“Knowing that our products were being taken to other West African nations to be processed and rebranded, we introduced certification policy for all our products in order to have right and proper certificates for our products and in order not to affect the Gross Domestic Products negatively.

“When I visited Belgium, the Minister of Agriculture there told me the country’s annual revenue earning in agriculture sector was 35 billion Euros. This is a country with less than five million population. “He further told me

that the difference between agriculture in Africa and the West is Technology and innovation. “That was why the Federal Government in partnership with the world bank, earmarked 250 million dollars to train young graduates in agribusiness.

“Our universities must pay attention to technology and innovation. They must emulate what ABUAD is doing in agriculture sector, because I wonder what would happen to us in future if we cannot feed just 180 million population.”

“We are proud to say that ABUAD has become the pride of the nation. It is setting the standard for food security in Nigeria. All these accounted for why President Muhammadu Buhari said we must produce what we eat. He reduced taxes in agriculture to attract investors to Nigeria. We are also taking pragmatic steps to increase productivity in the sector.”

Philippines reclaims second spot as second biggest banana exporter I

n its preliminary market review report, the United Nations’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) estimated that Philippine banana exports last year expanded by 77.34 percent to an all-time high of 2.95 million metric tons, from a recorded volume of 1.663 MMT in 2017.

Meaning the Philippines has reclaimed its position as the second-largest exporter of bananas in the world, but Filipino growers urged the government to provide more support to maintain the stature, amid tightening competition with South American producers according to businessmirror.com.

“Banana production in the Philippines was affected by a series of adverse conditions between 2015 and 2017, in response to which significant investments were made in area expansion, new technologies and improved inputs,” FAO said in the report published recently.

“Thanks to the strong performance in 2018, the Philippines regained its place as second-largest supplier of bananas behind

Ecuador, at a volume share of 16 percent of global shipments,” it added.

The output recovery of the Philippines, which accounts for about 90 percent

of the total Asian banana exports, boosted the region’s shipments, which grew by 70 percent in 2018 to 3.2 MMT, from 1.9 MMT in 2017, according to FAO.

The rise in the Philippines’s exports coupled by the steady increment of Ecuador’s banana supply, will drive global shipments to a record-high volume of 19.205 MMT,. Ecuador’s banana exports in 2018 was projected to increase by 3.6 percent to 6.646 MMT, from 6.415 MMT in 2017, according to FAO. The increase in the country’s shipments would mean “higher revenues, more employment and bigger contribution to the [country’s] gross domestic product,” according to the Pilipino Banana Growers & Exporters Association Inc. (PBGEA).

“Hopefully, we will be able to sustain good production this year. More so if we improve pest and disease management,” PBGEA Executive Director Stephen A. Antig told the BusinessMirror in an interview. Antig said the country’s exports could decline if output is affected by “destructive typhoons and other disturbances,” that could cause outbreak of diseases.

WTO sides with U.S. on Chinese ag subsidies

By Brian German/AgNet West he World Trade Organization (WTO) will be announcing its decision regarding Chinese agriculture subsidies in the coming weeks and is expected to rule in favor of U.S. For many years the Chinese government purchased domestic corn, cotton, and soybeans at levels that exceeded those permitted under WTO rules.

According to Politico, the confidential ruling was already shown to the interested parties last month and a general public announcement is expected by March.

Chinese agriculture subsidies Domestic agricultural support in China is primarily

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China surpassed the permitted amount for ag subsidies by more than $100 billion in 2015. provided by price support and government procurement.

The Chinese government buys crops when prices fall to a government-announced minimum, inflating the price of certain Chinese commodities and distorting market conditions to appear as though Chinese farmers should increase production.

In an article that was recently published in the Review of International Political Economy, the claim was made that “China has emerged as the world’s largest subsidizer, profoundly transforming the global politics of agricultural subsidies.”

A case was brought to the WTO in 2016 when the U.S. made the claim that China exceeded the permissible international limits for domestic support.

U.S. Trade Representative at the time, Michael Froman alleged that China surpassed the permitted amount for ag subsidies by more than $100 billion in 2015. In the last few years, China has been working to adjust its subsidy programs. Minimum

prices for rice were reduced for the first time in 2017, followed by further cuts in rice and wheat prices last year.

The issue of Chinese agriculture subsidies was also addressed in the Priority Recommendations for U.S.-China Trade Negotiations from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and American Chamber of Commerce in China. The report states that “China provides massive subsidies…that distort domestic and global competition in favor of Chinese national/global champions.” The report suggests that China resolve the issue by removing “subsidies and market distortions through a State Council/Party proclamation and under strict timelines.”

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JAN-FEB 2019 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • 15

Rev. Dr. the Hon. Garnet Brown, O.J, C.D., J.P., Dip. in Agriculture, B.Sc., M.Sc., M.A., M.Div., PhD

Tourism and Agriculture Ministries Open Linkage Centre to Assist Farmers: Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett (3rd l) and President, Jamaica Agricultural Society, Lenworth Fulton (1st l), sample strawberries provided by farmer, Anipe Cripps (2nd l), at the official opening of the Agri-Linkage Exchange Centre at the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) St. Andrew Parish Office, located on Old Hope Road, on Wednesday (December 12). Chief Executive Officer, RADA, Peter Thompson looks on.

Success in Agriculture Best Quality for Life

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ennifer Jones, Entrepreneur, mother of three (3) hails from Fair Prospect, Portland. In 2013, she turned her love for nature and a desire to improve the health and wellness of her family into a family business that is “Nature’s Premium.

The business is home based in Fair Prospect, Portland and makes innovative Jamaican health & wellness products. Jennifer originally started her project focusing on extract from coconut to make the Extra Virgin Coconut Oil. This concept expanded to natural handmade body soaps , hair treatments air purifiers and unique functional crafts made from the coconut shells.

In May 2015 – her business won her first place in the National Housing Trust Entrepreneurial Challenge in the category of “Established Business with Potential for Growth” In her quest to improve her knowledge and the quality of her products; she has participated in a wide range of training workshops with the RADA through its Social Services and Home Economics Unit, these include: • Business Development & Management • Bar Soap Making • Capacity Building Development Jennifer is also an active member in her community; she supports the local farmers, is an executive member of the Fair Prospect Gardens Association and is currently working on the community’s composting project with the Youth Environmental Club. Her enthusiasm for Community & Youth Development has pushed her to venture into Green House Farming which is geared towards training in technology and provision of

healthy crops for the schools and community members, while generating an income.

RADA promotes and markets the Nature Premium Brand at expositions and more importantly sales are facilitated at the RADA Agrimart Store. For this and other uniquely Jamaica products you may visit RADA Agrimart at 191 Old Hope Road (adjacent to Jamaica College) or call us at 876927-1204.

Jennifer Jones Owner Nature’s Premium

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he National Board of Directors, Chief Executive Officer, and Management of the Rural Agricultural Development Authority extend profound regret at the passing of Dr. the Rev. Garnett Brown.

Dr. Garnet Brown will be remembered as the ‘Founding Father of RADA,’ one of the leading pioneers of the organization who presided at its birth and under whose expert leadership, successfully navigated RADA through the exciting but turbulent currents of its formative years.

Dr. Brown simultaneously served as the Authority’s Executive Director (1990 – 1993) and Chairman of its National Board (1990-1991). Hallmarks of his tenure at RADA were the fostering of inter-agency collaborations with other agencies in the quest for rural development and the provision of the first fleet of motor vehicles for the extension staff.

Reputed for sound leadership and vision, Dr. Brown was also the founding father of the National Irrigation Commission (NIC), Management Institute for National Development (MIND), Natural Resources Conservation Authority (NRCA), Conceptualizer and Monitoring Consultant for the National Irrigation Development Programme (NIDP), Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Mining and Natural Resources, Member of the Founding Directorate of the Jamaica Bureau of Standards and the second Chairman of the Board of the Standards Council (BSJ).

Within the global arena, Dr. Brown was the first Jamaican Director of the International Bauxite Association. He was a Senior Consultant to the United Nations Development Programme, a Senior Consultant to the World Bank and visiting professor in International Resource Management at Yale University.

In the later years, Dr. Brown charted the development of yet another Agency, the Jamaica Agricultural Commodities Regulatory Authority (JACRA). His unstinting service to organizational development and structural realignment reached the highest level of professional excellence.

We join with his family in thoughts of comfort and peace during this difficult time.

May his soul Rest in Peace.

Best Quality for Life

The Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) Email: executive@rada.gov.jm 876-977-1158-62 Fax: 876-970-4660

16 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • JAN-FEB 2019

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Coffee Lizer: Precisely Blended to Perfection

By Melvin Henry Technical Manager Newport Fersan (JA.) Ltd. ewport-Fersan (Jamaica) Limited (NFJ) in answering to the need for better soil care for our coffee farmers developed a specialized blend of fertilizer called “Coffee Lizer.”

We are particularly proud of our Coffee Lizer because we created a targeted product for the coffee sector, geared towards giving our farmers a better option, with the right nutrients to be applied at the right time and at the right rate.

It is a product that was designed to prevent and correct soil nutrient deficiency when used as a part of a balanced fertilizer program; an approach that is in keeping with our Precise Nutrient Management System (PNMS) which seeks to deliver only the required amount of nutrients to the crop.

NPK. This allows for a more homogenous spread of the fertilizer which is also more bioavailable. The Humic Acid as our organic matter improves the water holding capacity of the soil and general soil structure.

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Research Having the privilege of working with the Jamaican coffee farmers for over a decade, NFJ had the opportunity to identify some of the major challenges that the coffee sector faced. One such challenge had to do with the overall nutritional status of the soil in the major coffee growing areas.

Our research and findings spanned three years which were derived from farm visits, soil testing and the results obtained from the tests. The analyses from extensive sampling showed significant deficiencies in Calcium and Magnesium as well as Boron and Zinc.

We also took into consideration that hilly terrains and high precipitation caused soil erosion and significant loss of organic matter. It is known, Nitrogen is highly volatile and is easily leeched, and therefore it is important that the plant which is a perennial crop gets the element of Nitrogen that is suitable throughout its lifecycle.

What is in the bag?

In order to achieve greater level of productivity all essential nutrition elements must be present. Whilst the mega nutrients (Carbon, Hydrogen and Oxygen) are readily accessible from the air and soil water Coffee Lizer has both macro (primary and secondary) and micro nutrients which are broken down as follows: The primary macronutrients are Nitrogen (N), Prosperous (P) and Potassium (K). The secondary macronutrients are Cal-

cium (Ca), Magnesium (Mg) and Sulphur (S). The micronutrients are Zinc (ZN), and Boron (B). These essential nutrients play a critical role throughout the lifecycle of the crop.

FERSAN’s Coffee Lizer (14 – 7 – 21 – S + Mg (DDP) + Ca (DDP) + Zn + B (DDP) + HA) was formulated in response to findings about the general trends relating to nutrient deficiencies. There are several distinct features of the Coffee Lizer blend when compared to traditional blends, these include: rapid and slow-release Nitrogen which caters to the need for Nitrogen over both a shorter and longer period; Magnesium and Calcium which addresses yellowing of the leaves; Boron and Zinc which is important for fruit set and elongation of stems. It must be noted that the DDP formulation is our patented technology which is designed to coat every prill/grain of the

Four (4) R’s To ensure the best results for any crop, the correct application of fertilizer is required. At NFJ we preach the 4 Rs’: The right source which speaks to the formulation of the blend; in the case of Coffee Lizer it is 14 – 7 – 21 – S + Mg(DDP)+Ca(DDP + Zn(DDP)+B(DDP)+HA. We recommend eight (8) ounces of Coffee Lizer per tree per year and this we call the right rate. The right time to apply fertilizer is four (4) ounces per tree before flowering and four (4) ounces per tree during fruit development. The right place to apply the fertilizer is in a shallow furrow around the tree along the outer edges of the canopy which is also called the ‘leaf drip circle.’ If applying on a hill, the fertilizer should be placed in a semi-circle inside the slope.

FERSAN’s Coffee-Lizer is designed for application to coffee trees for the prevention and correction of soil nutrient deficiency when used as part of a balanced fertility program. Optimum rate of application will vary depending on properties (such as pH, organic matter, texture, weather conditions, time of year, general crop health and crop species. For best results, follow soil test or plant analysis recommendation.

Contact us at 967-5815 ext: 2226.

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JAN-FEB 2019 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • 17

WE HAVE A

WINNER!

The Hi-Pro Christmas Countdown is over but for Grand Prize Winner Oschia Kenton, the excitement has just begun, as she drives away in a brand new 2019 Toyota Rav 4! A big Hi-Pro THANK YOU to everyone who entered for a chance to win a share of over $10Million in prizes this year. To our winners, clients, customers, farmers and Jamaicans everywhere...we wish you a New Year Full of Growth!

Mr. Christopher Levy, President and CEO of the Jamaica Broilers Group (3rd right), congratulates our Grand Prize Winner, Oschia Kenton (centre). Joining them are Mr. Jaimie Ogilvie, Assistant Vice President, Hi-Pro (left), Mrs. Rose Bennett of Bennett’s Farmstore (2nd left), Oschia’s mother, Ms. Claudette Forsythe-Kenton (3rd left), Oschia’s daughter, Shanessa Evans (4th left), General Sales and Marketing Manager of Toyota Jamaica, Mr. Howard Foster (2nd right) and Hi-Pro Technical Service Representative, Mr. Clinton Wilson (right). Parked behind them is Oschia’s grand prize, a 2019 Toyota Rav4.

Grand prize winner of the Hi-Pro Christmas Countdown Oschia Kenton (second left) with her daughter Shanessa Evans (third left), happily accepts her keys from Jaimie Ogilvie, Hi-Pro’s Assistant Vice President (third right).

Sharing the moment are Rose Bennett of Bennett’s Farm Store (left), Clinton Wilson, Hi-Pro Technical Service Representative (right) and Marlene Harrison, Hi-Pro Telesales Representative.

Congrats to our final $200,000 & $50,000 winners...

Hi-Pro team members: Nigel Alexander (left), Technical Service Representative and Latoya Gordon (centre), Telesales Representative excitedly present Tresha-Gaye Clacken (right) with a voucher for $200,000. Ms. Clacken is the December winner in the Hi-Pro Christmas Countdown.

Hi-Pro representatives Kirk Pennant (left); Kareece Ramocan (second left) present a $50,000 voucher to Oneil Grant, one of the final week winners in the Hi-Pro Christmas Countdown.

Looking on are Donna Walters (second right), proprietor of Waves Farm Store and Marlon Gordon, Technical Sales Agronomist, Hi-Pro.

18 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • JAN-FEB 2019

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‘Eat what we grow… Grow what we eat’ Over the eight six years Noranda Jamaica Bauxite Partners has been leading the charge to transform agriculture by sharing greenhouse technology and spearheading the building of sixty greenhouses for small farmers in our mining areas.

We call it the ‘greenhouse revolution’ – helping to feed

Noranda Jamaica Bauxite Partners Browns Town, St Ann, Jamaica WI. • 876-725-2880 • www.norandaalumina.com

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JAN-FEB 2019 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • 19

The U.S. Won't Legalize Marijuana in 2019!

By Sean Williams (TMFUltraLong) he legal cannabis industry had itself a year to remember in 2018. Although marijuana stocks were a mixed bag, the weed industry gained validation like never before following the legalization of recreational marijuana in Canada. Rolling out the red carpet for cannabis will mean billions of dollars in added annual revenue, and it demonstrates that the cannabis industry is in no danger of disappearing.

There was plenty to cheer about in the United States, too. President Trump signed the Farm Bill into law in December, giving the green light to hemp and hemp-based cannabidiol, while the Food and Drug Administration approved its very first cannabisderived drug, and a handful of states legalized cannabis in some capacity. Today, roughly two-thirds of U.S. states have legalized medical marijuana, with 10 also allowing adult-use pot.

A black silhouette of the U.S., partially filled in with cannabis baggies, rolled joints, and a scale.

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Calls for cannabis reform in the U.S. pick up steam Despite all of this progress, marijuana remains a Schedule I drug at the federal level.

That means it's wholly illegal, defined as

being prone to abuse, and not recognized as having any medical benefits. The big question is, when does this classification change?

On the surface, there appears to be a ton of momentum behind reform at the federal level. An October 2018 survey from Gallup found that two out of three adults now favor legalizing weed nationally, up from just 33% as recently as 2005. In fact, a half-dozen major polls conducted since January 2018 have found overwhelming support for reforming the current cannabis policy.

State-level legalizations have also put the infrastructure in place in numerous states that would allow a seamless transition between an illicit and legal environment. A handful of states have been retailing adultuse cannabis for multiple years (e.g., Washington and Colorado), with more than half of all states having had medical marijuana legal for at least two years. Reform at the federal level wouldn't require a lot of effort from most states to amend their infrastructure.

In addition, online publication Marijuana Moment reported this past Tuesday that the chair of the House Judiciary Committee, Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.), foresees reform coming sooner rather than later. Said Nadley, "Let me just observe on your time that we may be discussing that [cannabis reform] fairly soon."

About Jamaica’s Regulated Medicinal Cannabis Industry

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he regulatory framework of Jamaica’s medicinal cannabis industry has been crafted specifically to preserve the requirements of the United Nation’s Single Convention on the Narcotic Drugs, 1961 as amended by the 1972 Protocol amending the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, 1961, The Convention on Psychotropic Substances, 1971 and, The Convention Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, 1988.

This, in addition to other realities, have culminated into the establishment of a robust regulatory mechanism, to ensure the transparency and integrity of operations within the Industry.

The Dangerous Drugs (Cannabis Licensing) (Interim) Regulations, 2016 (“Interim Regulations”) stipulate that an applicant must be deemed “fit and proper” before a licence is issued and failure to meet this requirement will result in that applicant being disqualified from holding a licence. This determination is based on a very rigorous due diligence process done with the support of at least six (6) local and international due diligence partners.

In keeping with Regulation 11 (4) of the Interim Regulations, the Cannabis Licensing Authority (CLA) may take into account the following factors, to determine if a person is fit and proper:  whether the person is of good repute, having regards to the matters concerning the person's character, honesty and personal and professional integrity;  whether the person has the necessary skills and experience to fulfil their obligations as a licensee;  whether the person has sound and stable sources of financing or is in financial circumstances which may limit the person's capacity to fulfil their obligations as a licensee;  the person's history of compliance with the Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Act, 2015; and  where the applicant is not a natural person, for example a company, whether the factors specified above are met by the persons in effective control of the operations of the applicant.

Upon receipt of due diligence reports on all owners and directors related to an application, an assessment is conducted to determine if they satisfy the “fit and proper” requirements before progressing to the next stage, which is the conditional approval stage.

If the applicant is deemed “fit and proper”, Conditional Approval status is granted, and the applicant must now satisfy the requirements for their premises or vehicle to be deemed “fit for purpose” in keeping with the Interim Regulations.

The pace at which an applicant moves from the conditional approval stage to the licence stage becomes solely dependent on the timeline within which the applicant satisfies these requirements. Applicants are given up to six (6) months to transition from Conditional Approval to becoming a licensee.

It is to be noted however, that Conditional Approval status does not allow appli-

cants to conduct business.

When the applicant believes that he/she have satisfactorily met the requirements at this stage and the premises or vehicle has been adequately prepared for inspection, a request is made in writing to the Authority for pre-licensing inspection, to establish compliance with the Interim Regulations as well as determine if same is “fit for purpose.”

Satisfaction of other pre-conditions such as a permit, non-objection or approval from the National Environment and Planning Agency, updated company documents and identification of proposed downstream buyer (as stipulated in the conditional approval letter), must also be fulfilled.

Possible delays which may occur at the conditional approval stage During the application process, applicants may decide to amend details of their applications because of internal business changes, such as changes of company directors, shareholders or location for operation as well as acquiring or updating requisite documents. In such cases, the due diligence or verification process must be re-done, automatically triggering a new investigative process. Consequently, the application will not progress to the next stage.

Monitoring activities In addition to enforcing “fit and proper” and “fit for purpose” requirements, the CLA performs continuous monitoring, surveillance and enforcement activities to ensure that licensees remain compliant with the terms and conditions of their licences and the Interim Regulations. This is to remove possibilities of diversion from the legal trade into the illegal trade or inversion from the illegal trade into the legal medical cannabis industry.

Furthermore, it is a requirement for licensees to only trade with other licensees.

This framework is classified as a Closed Loop System.

Requirements for applicants to note 1. Companies or businesses applying to operate in Jamaica’s Ganja Industry, must be registered with the Companies Office of Jamaica.

2. Cooperative Society or Friendly Society must be registered with be Department of Cooperatives and Friendly Societies.

3. The registered Company is required to satisfy the regulatory requirements of “substantial ownership and control” (over 50% of the shareholding and the directorship) by a Jamaican or a person(s) ordinarily resident in Jamaica.

4. An ordinarily resident individual for the purposes of the Interim Regulations, must have documentary proof that he or she has lived in Jamaica for not less than three (3) years immediately preceding the date of the application, and is at least 18 years old.

With robust due diligence and verification processes, which are in keeping with international obligations, Jamaica is poised to take advantage of trade opportunities while maintaining the integrity and transparency of its medicinal cannabis industry.

Courtesy of Cannabis Licensing Authority

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EDUCATION & TRAINING Gov’t Targeting Expansion of Agro-Processing BY: GARFIELD L. ANGUS inister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Audley Shaw, says the Government is looking to expand agro-processing for local consumption and export.

He noted that four distinct markets are being targeted – CARICOM, the Jamaican Diaspora, hotels, and the school feeding programme.

He said that the AMC complex on Spanish Town Road is being targeted to become a modern facility for the processing of fresh fruits and vegetables.

Minister Shaw, in emphasising the valued-added to the agricultural sector from agro-processing, noted for example, that “when pumpkin is processed into purée and sweet potato is parboiled they can have up to a two-year shelf life, and that is the direction of where agriculture is heading. What you can’t sell fresh; you can process,” he noted.

He was speaking at the College of Agriculture, Science and Education’s (CASE) Founder’s Day held on January 25 at the college campus in Passley Gardens, Portland.

St. Lucia’s Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Physical Planning, Natural Resources and Co-operatives, Ezechiel Junior Joseph, in his remarks, said Jamaica’s agriculture programme is “moving in the right direction.”

Joseph, who is a CASE alumnus, pointed to the need for the sharing of experiences, ideas and policies, aimed at strengthening the regional agricultural industry.

He noted that the hospitality sector provides an excellent opportunity to establish linkages for the growth of the sector. “When tourism grows, it is an opportunity for our farmers,” Joseph said.

Meanwhile, President of CASE, Dr. Derrick Deslandes, said the institution is ensuring that its programmes are in keeping with the needs of the country’s agricultural sector.

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We publish colleges and schools news and photos ——————————

The Agriculturalist editor@theagriculturalist.com 876-923-7471

CASE’s 109TH FOUNDERS’ DAY ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION: Audley Shaw (centre), Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, flanked by George Kates, chairman, College of Agriculture, Science and Education (CASE), and Oneka Sinclair, Director of Student Affairs, CASE, following a presentation of a pear tree and a breadfruit tree at the college’s 109th Founders’ Day anniversary celebration on January 25, 2019 at Passley Gardens, Portland.

MISSION FOOD POSSIBLE: Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Audley Shaw (4th r), receives a sample of the meal prepared utilizing Jamaica’s indigenous produce from Mission:FoodPossible Chef, Patrice Harris-Henry, at the official launch of Mission: FoodPossible, at the St. John’s Primary School in St. Catherine, on Friday February 1. The menu consisted of pumpkin-banana bread, green banana salad, barbeque chicken and yamackee - consisting of a mixture of yam, plantain, ackee and pumpkin. Looking on at right is Founder of the programme, Peter Ivey, along with St. John’s Primary students.

Students to benefit from School Mealprogramme Initiative S

tudents at St. John’s Primary School in St. Catherine will now benefit from a school meal programme, which will utilize Jamaica’s indigenous produce such as pumpkin, cassava, yams and green banana, along with other local produce, under an initiative dubbed ‘Mission: FoodPossible.’

Speaking at the official launch of ‘Mission: FoodPossible’ at the St. John’s Primary School, in St. Catherine, on February 1, Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Audley Shaw, said the undertaking will not only result in greater support for Jamaica’s farmers and the agricultural sector, but also the health and nutrition of our children.

The agriculture minister stated that the launching of the Mission: FoodPossible initiative represents the perfect opportunity to teach children to “eat what we grow”. He said that he intends to work with Chef Ivey to have the programme rolled out in other

schools across the island.

Shaw said Jamaica must move away from the importation of genetically modified food to the consumption and utilisation of more locally grown foods, which will lead to a better life for all.

“As Government, our mission is to promote proper nutrition and improve the learning outcomes of our children, as well as to strengthen early childhood development in keeping with the Food and Nutrition Security Policy, the draft School Feeding Policy and the Jamaica Social Protection Strategy,” the Minister said.

Shaw further informed that the Government has taken action to increase the variety of local fresh fruits and vegetables under the National School Feeding Programme. Support for the programme is also being provided through initiatives from the Ministry of Health to encourage better eating habits, as well as encouraging students to exercise

more. In that regard, the Minister noted that the programme’s budgetary allocation was increased to $4.7 billion for the 2018/19 fiscal year, an increase of 47 per cent.

For his part, Ivey explained that his initiative is undergirded by a personal mission to feed people who are in need.

“Mission:FoodPossible is near and dear to my heart, and it is my contribution to improving the lives of others in Jamaica and across the globe,” he added.

Meanwhile, principal of the school, Louise Clarke, lauded the initiative. She described it as “remarkable,” noting that it has the full support of the school community and Board, and will go a far way in assisting the students who are in need.

The initiative was first executed in St. Catherine in October 2017 with the feeding of approximately 700 people. In October 2018, training was provided for staff, parents and teachers at St. John’s Primary School.

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TECHNOLOGY

JAN-FEB 2019 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • 21

Importance of agricultural technology M

NEW TECHNOLOGIES AND MODERN PRACTICES: Claudette Glegg, Parish Manager for the St. James Association of Branch Societies and Agri-Business Management course graduate Ms. Clover (r) record inspect crops at the Ebony Park Heart Academy during their Hi-Pro-sponsored tour of the institution. As part of this holistic learning approach, trainees were exposed to new technologies and modern practices that are being employed by various entities within the agricultural sector.

odern farms and agricultural operations work far differently than those a few decades ago, primarily because of advancements in technology, including sensors, devices, machines, and information technology. Today’s agriculture routinely uses sophisticated technologies such as robots, temperature and moisture sensors, aerial images, and GPS technology.

These advanced devices and precision agriculture and robotic systems allow businesses to be more profitable, efficient, safer, and more environmentally friendly.

Farmers no longer have to apply water, fertilizers, and pesticides uniformly across entire fields. Instead, they can use the minimum quantities required and target very specific areas, or even treat individual plants differently.

Benefits include: • Higher crop productivity • Decreased use of water, fertilizer, and pesticides, which in turn keeps food prices down • Reduced impact on natural ecosystems • Less runoff of chemicals into rivers and groundwater • Increased worker safety In addition, robotic technologies enable more reliable monitoring and management of natural resources, such as air and water quality. It also gives producers greater control over plant and animal production, processing, distribution, and storage, which results in: • Greater efficiencies and lower prices • Safer growing conditions and safer foods • Reduced environmental and ecological impac.

Kimmy’s World

Complied and edited by Kimmy Maitland • editor@theagriculturalist

oing green means to pursue knowledge and practices that can lead to more environmentally friendly and ecologically responsible decisions and lifestyles, which can help protect the environment and sustain its natural resources for current and future generations.

G What does it take to take care of a dog?

To take care of a dog, make sure you're feeding it a high-quality dog food twice a day and giving it access to water at all times. You should also give your dog plenty of exercise by taking it on at least 2 walks a day and playing games like fetch or ball.

Maintaining Your Dog's Physical Health • Keep your pup active. Especially if he is alone all day, a dog needs exercise just like people do.

• Feed your dog a nourishing, balanced diet.

• Schedule regular veterinary appointments for your pet.

• Ensure your dog's safety at all times.

• Give your pup regular massages.

• Use both sides of computer paper. Once you print something and no longer need it, flip it over and print again on the other side.

• Compost your food scraps. Composting can be done even if you live in an apartment and can save a ton of waste from going to the landfill. The newer ones don’t even smell, and worm bins are even more efficient!

• Start an organic garden. If you’re new to gardening, start with something easy like lettuce or tomatoes and work up to more.

• Plant some trees in your yard. By spending some money on trees, you not only shade your house so you can use less AC, but you also help to absorb CO2 in the air.

Farm Jokes • Why did the farmer feed his pigs sugar and vinegar? He wanted sweet and sour pork!

• What did the farmer say when he lost one of his cows? What a miss-steak.

• Who takes care of the farm when the farmer is sick? The farmacist (pharmacist). • Why did the lamb call the police? He had been fleeced.

• Why was the cucumber mad? Because it was in a pickle!

Everybody reads The Agriculturalist Book your adverts (876) 923-7471• 923-7428 agriculturalist@gmail.com • editor@theagriculturalist.com • www.theagriculturalist.com

22 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • JAN-FEB 2019

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HEALTH Four easy ways to lower blood pressure naturally By: Dr.Sofiya (NaturalNews) eeping blood pressure at normal levels - generally understood to be 120/80 millimeters of mercury or mmhg - can help prevent a number of serious health conditions. These include aneurysms, heart attacks, strokes, kidney failure and the decline of cognitive abilities. Though there are often no symptoms of high blood pressure and it is preventable, it has been shown to be a contributing factor in more than 15 percent of deaths.

Treating high blood pressure typically means that a physician prescribes some type of medication. Some of these medications come with side effects that make them undesirable. By making changes at home, it is possible for a person to reduce the reliance on medication, thereby lowering the chances of side effects.

ways to reduce stress. Stress hormones can raise the levels of a kidney enzyme, renin, that can increase blood pressure.

K

Cut back on work Working more than 41 hours per week can increase the risk of having high blood pressure, also known as hypertension. According to research performed by the University of California - Irving that involved

more than 24,000 residents of the state, working more than that leaves little time to exercise and focus on consuming foods that are more healthy.

most days of the week saw an eight-point reduction in the upper number of their blood pressure with a six-point reduction in the lower number.

Make power walks a daily occurrence People who went for a fitness walk that included a brisk pace were able to see a significant change in their blood pressure numbers. Those who made a practice of including at least 30 minutes of brisk exercise

De-stress daily Given all the responsibilities and stresses that people are bombarded with on a daily basis, it is important to build in time to destress. Performing deep breathing exercises, meditating or engaging in yoga are all great

Watch salt intake While some groups of people seem to have blood pressure that is particularly sensitive to increased amounts of sodium, including the elderly, those with a family history and African Americans, it is often difficult for the average person to know this fact. For this reason, it is a good idea to reduce the amount of salt consumed overall.

A half a teaspoon of salt contains about 1,200 mg of sodium, almost the entire maximum dosage of 1,500 mg suggested by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute.

While going easy on the salt shaker is a great start, it is also important to limit the number of processed foods consumed.

Processed foods often contain excessive amounts of sodium.

By following the above tips, an individual reaps a myriad of benefits. These include lower blood pressure, a leaner physique and a healthier heart.

Sources: http://www.health.com

NUTRITION The Basics of the Nutrition Facts Label Fat free/sugar free: Less than ½ gram of fat or sugar per serving.

Low sodium: 140 milligrams or less of sodium per serving.

High in: Provides 20 percent or more of the Daily Value of a specified nutrient per serving.

By Barbara Gordon, RDN, LD Step 1: Start with the Serving Size Look here for both the serving size (the amount people typically eat at one time) and the number of servings in the package.

Compare your portion size (the amount you actually eat) to the serving size listed on the panel. If the serving size is one cup and you eat two cups, you are getting twice the calories, fat and other nutrients listed on the label.

Step 5: Choose Low in Saturated Fat, Added Sugars and Sodium Eating less saturated fat, added sugars and sodium may help reduce your risk for chronic disease.

Saturated fat and trans fat are linked to an increased risk of heart disease.

Eating too much added sugar makes it difficult to meet nutrient needs within your calorie requirement.

High levels of sodium can add up to high blood pressure.

Remember to aim for low percentage DV of these nutrients.

Step 2: Check Out the Total Calories Find out how many calories are in a single serving. It's smart to cut back on calories if you are watching your weight.

Step 3: Let the Percent Daily Values Be Your Guide Use percent Daily Values (DV) to help evaluate how a particular food fits into your daily meal plan. Percent DV are for the entire day, not just one meal or snack. Daily Values are average levels of nutrients for a person eating 2,000 calories a day. A food item with a 5 percent DV of fat provides 5 percent of the total fat that a person consuming 2,000 calories a day should eat.

You may need more or less than 2,000 calories per day. For some nutrients you may need more or less than 100 percent DV. Low is 5 percent or less. Aim low in saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol and sodium High is 20 percent or more. Aim high in vitamins, minerals and fiber.

Step 4: Check Out the Nutrition Terms Low calorie: 40 calories or less per serving.

Low cholesterol: 20 milligrams or less and 2

grams or less of saturated fat per serving.

Reduced: At least 25 percent less of the specified nutrient or calories than the usual product.

Good source of: Provides at least 10 to 19 percent of the Daily Value of a particular vitamin or nutrient per serving.

Calorie free: Less than five calories per serving.

Step 6: Get Enough Vitamins, Minerals and Fiber Eat more fiber, potassium, vitamin D, calcium and iron to maintain good health and help reduce your risk of certain health problems such as osteoporosis and anemia.

Choose more fruits and vegetables to get more of these nutrients.

Remember to aim high for percentage DV of these nutrients.

Step 7: Consider the Additional Nutrients You know about calories, but it also is important to know about the additional nutrients on the Nutrition Facts label.

Protein: A percentage Daily Value for protein is not required on the label. Eat mod-

erate portions of lean meat, poultry, fish, eggs, low-fat milk, yogurt and cheese, plus beans and peas, peanut butter, seeds and soy products.

Carbohydrates: There are three types of carbohydrates: sugars, starches and fiber. Eat whole-grain breads, cereals, rice and pasta plus fruits and vegetables.

Sugars: Simple carbohydrates, or sugars, occur naturally in foods such as fruit (fructose) and milk (lactose) or come from refined sources such as table sugar (sucrose) or corn syrup. Added sugars will be included on the Nutrition Facts label in 2018. The 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends consuming no more than 10 percent of daily calories from added sugars.

Foods with more than one ingredient must have an ingredient list on the label. Ingredients are listed in descending order by weight. Those in the largest amounts are listed first. This information is particularly helpful to individuals with food sensitivities, those who wish to avoid pork or shellfish, limit added sugars or people who prefer vegetarian eating.

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