The Agriculturalist Newspaper - Dec 2017 - Jan 2018

Karl Samuda says

Don’t give up on the sugar

VOL. 27 NO. 6 • DECEMBER 2017 - JANUARY 2018

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By MICAF Communications Office inister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Karl Samuda, is encouraging stakeholders in the sugar industry to have a positive outlook on the sector and to “move forward with the confidence that this industry will rise again.”

Minister Samuda, who was speaking at the 80th annual conference of the Jamaica Association of Sugar Technologists (JAST) November 2 in Ocho Rios, said there was “an enormous reservoir of potential” in the sugar cane industry.

The agriculture minister said that in comparison to the US$370 per tonne paid for raw sugar in the European market, value-added sugar products could fetch prices as high as US$2,000 per tonne for the commodity.

Against the background of the end of the special quota arrangement to the European market for sugar from the African Caribbean and Pacific countries effective October 1, this year, Minister Samuda en-

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couraged local producers to expand production to supply both the local and CARICOM markets.

Turning to the matter of increased production and productivity, Minister Samuda outlined a number of steps to increase efficiency in the field.

He said, for example, some 7,500 hectares of cane was required to make production at the

Monymusk factory in Clarendon viable.

Currently only 3,500 hectares are available. The Minister reported that some 18,000 hectares of leased lands have been returned by the Chinese to the Government of Jamaica and there were now several opportunities for investors to get involved in the use of these lands, not just for sugar but for diversification into the cultivation of other crops such as onion, he said.

INSIDE

Cane Farmers Association profit jumps to $11.54 M ... page 5

Jamaica’s domestic crop production on the decline ... page 7

Diandra Rowe wins Prime Minister's Youth Award See page 12

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Cleanup JACRA act, before implementation .... page 9

EU and Gates foundation pledge €500 M for innovations in agri ... page 15

Minister Samuda thanked the European Union for its contribution over the past 10 years through the Sugar Transformation Programme. In addition, in the face of the impact of climate change, he identified continued improvement in infrastructure, irrigation, agronomic practices as well as increased investments as being essential to the future viability of the industry.

— Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Karl Samuda displays samples of locally branded sugar at the Jamaica Association of Sugar Technologists Conference held on November 2 in Ocho Rios.

2 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • DECEMBER 2017 - JANUARY 2018

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Congratulates

Dr. Michael Motta on being awarded ‘Veterinarian of the Year!’

Hi-Pro extends hearty congratulations to our very own Dr. Motta for being awarded ‘2016 Veterinarian of the Year’ by the Jamaica Veterinary Medical Association. Dr. Motta is an expert in Cattle Fertility and pioneer of Embryo Transfer Technology, an invaluable mentor to veterinary students and completely dedicated to his vocation of helping and healing animals for 19 Years and counting.

We thank you for your invaluable service to Hi-Pro and Jamaica’s agricultural sector!

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EDItoRIAl

DECEMBER 2017 - JANUARY 2018 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • 3

Agriculture needs more energy and excitement

T

he new year is approaching and should bring joy and hope for a new beginning and much optimism in the sector.

However, if the negative trends and the lackluster performances continue in the agriculture, 2018 will be another challenging year for farmers.

The nation’s overall domestic crop production output has been lackluster this year and could continue to face more poor performance in 2018 because of unstable weather conditions and significant constraints affecting production.

Jamaica’s food security measure, including the government’s “Vision 2030 – National Development Plan,” could be derailed as the island is losing 9,722 hectares of farmland each year, including some 379,140 hectares or 63 percent, that have disappeared over the past 48 years.

If the trend continues, Jamaica in 2030 would have lost a further 126,386 hectares, or almost 44 percent of its farmlands. This includes prime agricultural lands, which are essential to the efficient production of livestock and crop production to satisfy both the domestic and export markets.

Another disturbing development is the increasing food import cost, which has been averaging over US$906 million over the past six years, while agricultural export is struggling at US$216 million.

However, all is not lost.

We have a healthy pool of resourceful people in both the public and private sectors who are eager to see the re-emergence of a thriving agricultural industry. Also, a new breed of savvy entrepreneurs, including members of the Diaspora, is seeking investment opportunities in agriculture and renewable energy.

But, some strategic interventions are needed to fix agriculture.

The Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture & Fisheries (MICAF) needs to put in place strategies to fast-track the modernization of agriculture to enhance food security, improve rural livelihoods and create wealth for the people.

Agricultural modernization and improved production efficiency are some critical prescriptions for tackling the challenges of the farming sector, which is vital to unlock economic growth potential.

Overall, we need more energy and excitements in agriculture to keep the sleeping king awake.

MICAF is now more reactive than proactive. Not many new and creative projects and programmes are being rolled out.

While there may be other critical issues affecting the operations at the ministry, we agree with farmers and other stakeholders who are complaining “agriculture is not doing well under the merged MICAF.” With 28 departments and agencies in the super MICAF, it is virtually impossible for one Minister and a Permanent Secretary to carry out their responsibilities as outlined by Jamaican laws efficiently.

The Ministry that is hosting the agriculture and fisheries portfolios is overloaded and pressured with a numerous of regulations and other bureaucratic red tape.

Five years after the late Minister of Agriculture, Roger Clarke, announced the merger of the four agricultural entities — the coconut, coffee and cocoa boards and the ministry’s export division — into a single agency, the process is yet to be completed.

Production outputs of these commodities continue to decline as farmers are abandoning their fields.

Food importers are raking in millions because imported coffee, cocoa, meat, and milk are outperforming local production.

The year 2018 is expected to be another challenging period for farmers. However, with more cohesive leadership at the Agriculture Ministry and better consultation with farmers and stakeholders, we could achieve success.

Patrick Maitland Publisher - The Agriculturalist

A massive expansion of the coconut industry!

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.

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he Coconut Industry Board (CIB) has put forward a comprehensive strategic business and capital expenditure plan to the Government of Jamaica, through the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries (MICAF) seeking its support for the expansion of the local coconut industry.

The CIB’s plan has targeted the planting of approximately 150,000 acres of coconuts over the next ten years, up from the current 40,000 acres. By engaging some 2,000 new small farmers, medium size growers and local and overseas investors through our investment drive programme.

The CIB is proposing the development of a private sector joint venture initiative to develop several factories for coconut water, and sports drink production facilities, virgin coconut oil production facilities as well as cocoa fermentaries for the export of cocoa.

The current plans call for an investment of J$3.0 billion over ten years, with an anticipated internal rate of return of 29.1%. It is estimated that this plan could generate thousands of stable long term jobs within the agricultural sector. The program is however subject to the approval of the coconut growers at an extraordinary meeting.

The strategic focus of the CIB is to position Jamaica as the leader in coconut seedlings, coconut production and valueadded coconut products in the Caribbean.

“We are at an exciting juncture. Growing coconuts 25 years ago was a very marginal exercise. The massive increase in demand for coconut water sports drink, coconut oil based medicines, and beauty products has

BY ChRIStoPhER GENtlES Chairman of the CIB

caused a significant shift in the need for coconut products.

Today, particularly with a vertically integrated value-added component such as the export of coconut water and the production of virgin coconut oil, growing coconuts has become profitable.

The local coconut industry is poised for significant growth as the CIB is also increasing its nursery capacity and gaining global recognition. Due to our extensive research and technical competence in disease control, we have also been asked to play a leadership role within the region on several projects. We are building our reputation as an authority on the development of coconuts and its potential business

growth and overall contribution to national development.

In fact, this business plan for the dramatic increase in the size of the Coconut industry in Jamaica is partially inspired by the European Union Caribbean Coconut Competitiveness Improvement project, which is being executed by CARDI and the International Trade Center in Brussels.

Jamaica, through the CIB, is currently leading the charge in the Caribbean on research to fight against pathogens, namely phytoplasma and bacteria, affecting tropical and subtropical crops in the Europeanfunded TROPICSAFE initiative.

According to data from the Statistical Institute of Jamaica, during 2015 approximately $1.3billion (US$11.4million) of coconuts and coconut by-products were imported to satisfy local demand.

The CIB notes that the provision of a consistent supply of quality raw materials such as seedlings for planting and coconuts for processing, as well as the development of several coconut varieties will help to decrease import costs.

The Board currently manages two seed gardens and four nurseries with a total production capacity of 400,000 seedlings each year and also provides a market for coconuts produced by small farmers. The plan is for a resuscitation and expansion of its coconut seed gardens and nursery facilities intending to adequately supply seedlings to Jamaican farmers, entrepreneurs, and potential investors. “We are also aiming to provide the Caribbean region and possibly the Asia-Pacific region with planting material as part of our expansion programme.

The Board is also seeking to develop a sustainable commercial business model by establishing its own coconut farm intercropped with cocoa and to seek private joint venture partners for the establishment and operation of a packaging facility for coconut water and a processing plant for virgin coconut oil.

The CIB has stated that it has made a strong value proposition of a sustainable coconut industry with the primary pillar being an anticipated substantial positive impact on national economic growth.

We are optimistic that our comprehensive business plan will get the approval from policymakers and look forward to working closely with the Government and other stakeholders to take the coconut industry to the next level.

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 • DECEMBER 2017 - JANUARY 2018

opportunities in tourism for local Farmers

NEWS

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inister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, J.C. Hutchinson, says the tourism sector continues to offer opportunities to local farmers.

Speaking at the Human Employment and Resource Training (HEART) College of Hospitality Services/Western Hospitality Institute Trade Show at the Cardiff Hotel and Spa, Runaway Bay, St. Ann, on November 16, Hutchinson said that a close examination of the country’s high food-import bill reveals that a large portion of what is imported “is destined for the tourism sector”.

“Based on a 2015 Demand Study, it is estimated that the annual value of demand for agricultural products by the tourism sector is approximately $19 billion,” the Minister noted.

“More than 75 per cent of this value is for food items in the poultry, meat, seafood and fruit categories, of which locally sourced agricultural produce accounted for only $14.5 billion,” he added.

NEWPoRt-FERSAN PlANt toUR:

Member of Parliament for St. Andrew East Rural and wife Prime Minister Andrew Holness Juliet Holness (5th l) greets Newport-Fersan (Jamaica) Ltd’s managing director, Dennis Valdez (4th l), during a tour of the facilities on November 24 at Newport West, Kingston. Also in the photo (l-r) Joan Sharpe Colley, Marketing Coordinator, Newport-Fersan; Hector Ramirez, Plan Manager, Newport-Fersan; Charmaine Mendez Blackford, Technical Manager, Newport-Fersan; Hedda Rose-Pitter, Business Development Manager, Newport-Fersan Marketing Manager and Lloyd Benjamin, Chairman RADA St. Andrew Advisory Board.

Praedial larceny Unit Invites Entries for Essay and Poster Competitions

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he Praedial Larceny Prevention Unit (PLPU) in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries is now accepting entries for its National Poster and Essay Competitions.

Praedial Larceny Prevention Coordinator, Trudy-Ann Edwards, said that the competitions “form part of the Ministry’s public education campaign aimed at sensitising Jamaicans about the negative extent, nature and magnitude of praedial larceny”.

What measures should be taken to combat the theft of agricultural produce in Jamaica? Miss Edwards said the essay must be an original work written in Standard English, and applicants are asked to submit the essay along with a completed application form and passport-size photograph.

The Praedial Larceny Prevention Unit (PLPU) in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries is now accepting entries for its National Poster and Essay Competitions.

The competitions, which are targeted at students, will provide the opportunity for them to become more aware of the impact of praedial larceny and to propose solutions to combat the theft of agricultural produce in their respective parishes.

Primary-school students aged 9 to 12 are invited to submit entries for the poster competition while the essay component is open to 13- to 18-year-old students who are attending secondary school or are members of the Jamaica 4-H Clubs.

J$347 million in losses in agricultural sector during october/November rains

T

he Ministry of Agriculture is reporting that the heavy rains in October and November resulted in J$347 million in losses to the agricultural sector.

This is based on an assessment by the Rural Agricultural Development Authority.

Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Agriculture, J.C Hutchinson, said more than 3,600 farmers lost nearly 900 hectares of crops and 151 farmers lost 6,700 animals.

According to Hutchinson, Clarendon, St Catherine and St Ann were among the hardest hit parishes.

He also said consumers should expect a shortage of some agricultural produce due to the rain.

He however noted that prices have decreased for some crops such as ginger and pineapple.

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4-h ClUB lEADER’S AWARD:

Jamaica 4-H Club National Leader of the year awardee, Carlene Gabbidon holds her plaque while (l-r) Dwain Moodie, parish manager, Manchester 4H Club; Sharon Thompson-Jordan, president, 4-H Club Leaders Association and Natalee Salomon, club leader join the celebration.

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NEWS

Cane Farmers Association profit jumps to $11.54 million

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By Kimmy Blair Reporter - The Agriculturalist

he All-Island Jamaica Cane Farmers Association (AIJCF) has recorded over 100% improvement in its financial performance with net profit as of September 30, 2017, stood at $11.54 million, compared to net loss of $9.88 million during the corresponding period of 2016.

The financial report of the AIJCF for the period ending September 30, 2017, attributed the performance to a substantial gross profit of $8.23 million from the sales of fertilizer, chemicals and other agricultural supplies, management fee of $60 million from the Sugar Industry Authority and $24.02 million in levy from cane farmers which push the association’s income to $94.34 million compared to $84.63 million in 2016.

Secretary/manager at AIJCF, Nigel Myrie notes that the operating expenses were contained at $90.40 million or $6.24 million below corresponding period. Myrie says, “the Association had to make some major fiscal and structural adjustments to

contain the cost of operations while we developed new income streams. The initiatives realized for the association a reduction in the level of liabilities and a cessation of gratuities payable on contracts.”

Nigel Myrie The secretary/manager Secretary/ also explains that the manager changes coupled with the AIJCF improvement in the fertilizer and chemical advance programmes have repositioned the financial outlook of the association as a going concern.

The number of farmers supplying cane increased slightly from 3,123 in 2016 to 3,178 – 55 farmers or 2% more than 2016 but 25% less than 2015.

The All-Island Jamaica Cane Farmers' Association was founded in 1941 to promote foster and encourage the growing of cane by farmers and the orderly and proper delivery thereof to factories and extension and welfare of cane farmers as an island industry.

Clarke urges increased investment in agriculture A mbassador Plenipotentiary for Economic Affairs, Dr. Nigel Clarke, is calling for increased investment in agriculture, as there is great demand that is not being satisfied and which the nation has the ability to supply.

“If we focus more on growing our own produce, we would reduce the need to import and satisfy the demands of our markets, which also results in an increase in our gross domestic product (GDP),” he argued.

He was speaking at the Jamaica Employers’ Federation’s (JEF) third annual CEO Breakfast held on Tuesday (November 7) at The Knutsford Court Hotel in New Kingston.

Dr. Clarke said that while there may be concerns about the impacts of climate change and natural disasters, new technologies are available to protect crops.

“It’s 2017, and with the application of technology and proper infrastructure, there’s no need to be so much at the mercy of droughts and floods as we are today.

What we need to do, and what we will be certainly advocating for, is an acceleration of investments in water infrastructure, storage systems, distribution systems and irrigation, because the data suggest that wherever agriculture goes, that’s where Jamaica goes,” he noted.

Dr. Clarke said that agriculture has proven to be influential to the Jamaican market and earnings, and is a key component in the performance of the nation in each quarter.

Dr. Nigel Clarke, Ambassador Plenipotentiary for Economic Affairs

He said the data show that “whenever agriculture does well, Jamaica does well and when agriculture suffers, as was the case in the last quarter… Jamaica suffers.

So we need to have a strategic approach to agriculture and double up our efforts in that area”.

“We tend to underestimate how important agriculture is to Jamaica. We’re very much still an agricultural society where agriculture plays a fundamental role in the daily lives of Jamaicans, and if we are to ensure that we can pick up and sustain going forward, we’re going to have to pay serious attention to agriculture,” he noted further.

Meanwhile, Dr. Clarke said the Jamaica economy is moving in the right direction.

DECEMBER 2017 - JANUARY 2018 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • 5

CASE lecturer Donovan hill died

S

enior lecturer in economics and entrepreneurship at the College of Agriculture, Science and Education (CASE) Donovan "Panel" Hill, 54 died on Wednesday (December 6) after succumbing to a massive heart attack in the Port Antonio Hospital where he was admitted early that day.

“Donovan had an unrelenting ambition to be successful and to support his family and help people. He was a brilliant scholar and businessman who will be missed by his students and thousands of customers in the island,” Robert Montague, Minister of National Security and a former college mate at CASE. “Donovan is one of the most hardworking, dedicated and committed people I have known. He was a devoted family man who was always looking out for people,” Richard Campbell, his longtime friend and colleague at CASE recalled.

Hill who also operated a computer technology school, a juice bar and a restaurant has been a lecturer at CASE for the past twenty years.

Donovan "Panel" hill

December 6, 2017 - March 29, 1963

Four children, five siblings, and his parents survive him.

A service of thanksgiving will be held at the TP Lecky Theater, CASE, Passley Garden, Portland on January 21, 2018.

Interment will follow in Ensfield at the family plot.

6 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • DECEMBER 2017 - JANUARY 2018

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NEWS

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DECEMBER 2017 - JANUARY 2018 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • 7

Jamaica’s domestic crop production on the decline

By Patrick Maitland Editor-The Agriculturalist

amaica’s overall domestic crop production output has been lackluster this year and could face more poor performance in 2018, due to unstable weather conditions as well as significant constraints affecting production.

According to data compiled by the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture & Fisheries, the first three-quarters of 2017 recorded declines of 4.6%, 11.0% and 2.8% in the respective periods.

The first quarter production amounted to 168,844.7 t, a marginal decline of 4.6% when compared to the output in the comparable quarter of 2016 when approximately 176,969.6 t was reaped.

The declining trends continue in the 2nd quarter with 157,745.7 t, decreasing by 11.0 % when compared to the corre-

Prolong merger of JACRA affects coffee farmers

C

offee farmers said the prolonged delay in completing the merger of —the coconut, coffee and cocoa boards and the ministry’s export division — into the Jamaica Agricultural Commodities Regulatory Authority (JACRA) is negatively affecting production.

Some five years ago the government enacted JACRA, but after missing several implementations and startup dates, Donald Salmon president Jamaica Coffee Growers Association (JCGA) said the regulations keep changing, and it is very worrying to farmers.

“The implementation process is taking too long. More dialogue is needed.

Mass meetings of all the farmers are needed to keep the farmers updated fully.

The process is too segmented,” Salmon charged.

Salmon explained that coffee farmers we facing various challenge including the lack of technical and marketing support from the Coffee Industry Board and more than 50% drop in the price dealers paid for coffee beans.

“During the 2016/17 crop we received $10,000 for each box of coffee delivered, however for the crop year to 2017/18 the price dipped to $4,000. This low price is unsustainable and is driving farmers into bankruptcy,” Salmon warned.

sponding period of 2016, when some 177,825.1 t had been reaped.

The 3rd quarter produced 152157.7 t, a declined of 2.8% when compared with 15,6611.9 t were produced in 2016.

The Ministry observed that production had been affected by the heavy rains expe-

rienced during the year, “damaging established crops in some of the major producing areas, further resulting in severe losses to farmers across the island, as cash crops were washed out and fields were flooded during the periods of excessive rainfall.”

The Jamaica Metrological Office is reporting above normal rainfall since the beginning of 2017, which resulted in significant flooding in some of the leading producing communities. Persistent rain is also forecasted for the final quarter of the year, which would affect production output negatively.

The Ministry also identified the following as among the major constraints to production during the quarters under reviewed: High incidences of losses to praedial larceny; high cost of labour and tractor services; flooding; high cost of seedlings and other planting materials; high cost of inputs, fertilizers and chemicals; lack of irrigation and water storage facilities; lack of proper storage and drying facilities for seeds and other planting materials and lack of proper access to farms, and highly deteriorated farm roads.

Poultry industry launches public education

T

Campaign on benefits of sector to Jamaican economy

he Jamaica Broilers Group will be launching a national public education campaign to focus on the significant contribution being made by the local poultry industry to the economy.

The announcement was made by Conley Salmon, President – Jamaica Operations, Jamaica Broilers Group at the Best Dressed Chicken Farmers Awards luncheon held on Monday, December 4 at the Terra Nova Hotel.

In commending members of the poultry industry for their professionalism and hard work, Mr. Salmon said the time had come for the wider public to better understand the industry’s impact on employment provided by the 60-thousand contract farmers, over 2-thousand large ones, as well as an increasing group of backyard growers.

“We are preparing a booklet which will highlight the poultry industry’s contribution to nation building, including the fact that farmers pay taxes amounting to about $46 billion a year, which help to maintain such social amenities as roads and schools,” he said.

According to Mr. Salmon local broiler farmers produce between 2.5 million and 3 million kilos of chicken meat every week. “This is big business, but it is vulnerable to an ever present threat from the dumping of cheap imports. This is the reason we have to keep the public educated as to the value of the industry and how it contributes to communities. We have had good partnerships over the years

Christopher levy (right), President of CEo of Jamaica Broilers Group gets ready to present the Best Dressed Chicken trophy to Alexander Grant (left) as top Producer with less than 96,000 birds.

with the respective governments, but must maintain an effective lobby with the nation’s leaders to ensure we operate free of unfair competition from dumped, subsidised chicken,” the JBG executive said.

“Many people have no idea about the size of our industry which involves a variety of skill sets, such as the farmers, vets, truck drivers, retailers, wholesalers and food vendors,” Mr. Salmon said.

According to the JBG executive, the local poultry industry is expected to bring in approximately J$54 billion in retail sales in 2017, which represents

about 50 per cent of the revenue from non-traditional agricultural products in Jamaica. He said “over the past five years the layer and broiler industries, combined, have grown by close to 25 per cent - a remarkable achievement, of which we can be proud. This also speaks to the close co-operation between the government and the industries, aimed at feeding our nation.”

Mr. Salmon also told his audience that the importation of chicken necks and backs had declined drastically in recent times, as backyard farmers were able to produce more whole chickens at the same cost as the

retail price of between $90 and $100 per pound for imported necks and backs, effectively outdoing low quality imports.

“These industrious farmers feed themselves and neighbours on a superior, home-grown product, while saving foreign exchange. So, we need to encourage them. In fact, the majority of backyard farmers are women, who support their families with that income. When they sell meat from 100 chickens at retail value, they earn about six weeks’ minimum wage. And, that’s a success story more people need to hear about,” Mr. Salmon said.

8 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • DECEMBER 2017 - JANUARY 2018

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Cleanup JACRA act, before implementation

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DECEMBER 2017 - JANUARY 2018 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • 9

t is my view that the passing of the Jamaica Agricultural Commodities Regulatory Authority bill into law was done at the minimum without critical stakeholder consultation and for this, Donald Stanberry, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture, and Fisheries, must be held responsible.

The bill, in the main appeared to be devoid of stakeholder participation and appeared to be rushed through the houses of Parliament.

However, a preliminary reading of the Jamaica Agricultural Commodities Regulatory Authority Act 2016, indicates that the project in the main is good for the agricultural sector, save that of a few offensive sections which if, was afforded the necessary transparency, could be avoided.

It is the opinion of a broad cross-section of farmers, agribusiness and intellectual leadership that the regulations to support the Law is being done without consultation or stakeholder participation.

This should not be allowed in a society that prides itself on being compliant with the best practices of most contemporary international conventions.

The Law needs to be amended, even before it gets the chance of being applied, for the following reasons: 1. There are blatant constitutional conflicts contained within the provisions of the Act. 2. There are provisions of the Act that

ture which allows for third-party certification and use of food safety standards and market-driven quality issues.

6. The law seeks to prescribe standards for the code of good practice which are conflicting with international norms and market demands.

By omer thomas

International Agricultural Development Consultant Phytovivaservices@yahoo.com

are conflicting with other laws dealing with good order and practices in the local business environment.

3. There are provisions of the Act that are conflicting with Jamaican law which ratified the Uruguay round of the World Trade Organization (WTO).

4. The Act which appears to be an amalgamation of several commodity board Acts of the 1950s did not embrace the environmental changes which make aspects of those acts obsolete; Is it an amalgamation of four outdated Laws?

5. The Act seems to have ignored the realities of the standardization infrastruc-

I

Outside of these issues, I believe this project (JACRA Act) is good for the orderly development of the agricultural sector, and I am therefore suggesting that the Minister demur from invoking Section 1 of the Act until and unless a stakeholders review is completed and the necessary amendments made.

No need to import sugar from out side the region!

t seems crazy that the region is importing sugar from places like Colombia or Mexico which we can supply at home or right next door, Sugar Association of the Caribbean (SAC) chairman, R. Karl James responded said.

He was speaking at the International Sugar Organisation (ISO) in London last week at the annual conference on the global sugar sector.

James further noted, “Caribbean sugar producers across the region are successfully moving up the value chain to produce sugars which can be used directly by consumers and manufacturers. White sugar suitable for 98% of all uses can now be produced within the region. National strategies are in place for all of the key sugar industries.”

“We are now actively speaking with our local manufacturers who buy their sugar internationally to understand and meet their supply requirements through regional sugar

production. The regional industry in 2017 produced 417,000 tonnes of sugar, far more than estimated demand of 320,000 tonnes in the region.”

“It seems crazy that the region is importing sugar from R. Karl James places like Colombia Chairman, Sugar or Mexico which we Association of can supply at home or the Caribbean right next door.”

“Sugar can be a tremendous force for good – helping manufacturers to supporting the local economy and local jobs by sourcing their raw materials locally; helping countries cut down on their dollar import bills; and generating new cheap clean energy for businesses and local people”.

NotICE

StAKEholDERS’ CoNFERENCE DAIRY FARMERS AND MILK PROCESSORS

The Jamaica Dairy Development Board is inviting Farmers, Milk Processors, Importers of Milk and Maufacturers to the Consultation with Stakeholders’ Conference, to Sensitize and to receive feedback from stakeholders on the future development pathway for the Jamaica Dairy Industry.

Friday, December 15, 2017 at Medallion hall hotel Registration Begins at 7:30am.

——————————————For Further Information, Contact

the Jamaica Dairy Development Board: 619-1731

10 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • DECEMBER 2017 - JANUARY 2018

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DECEMBER 2017 - JANUARY 2018 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • 11

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12 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • DECEMBER 2017 - JANUARY 2018

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PRoDUCt tAlK:

Prime Minister's Youth Award:

Charles Douglas, chairman of Jamaica 4h Club, shares a light moment with Alecia Fulton, national home economics coordinator (c) and Shanique Allen, director of finance and accounts during a farmers’ market held recently at the Club’s head offices, Kingston 6.

Diandra Rowe, 26 (left) receives the Prime Minister's Youth Award in the category of agriculture and agro-processing from Prime Minister Andrew holness.

Seventy-three other young people who have made outstanding contributions in various areas were presented with the Prime Minister's Youth Awards for Excellence, during a ceremony held last Wednesday on the lawns of the office of the Prime Minister in Kingston. At the annual Denbigh Agricultural, Industrial and Food Show held in August 2017, Diandra was also named the National Champion Greenhouse Farmer and Most Innovative Farmer.

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• Garden Soil • Germination Medium • Compost • Fortified organic Matter • organic Fertilizer

What happens When organic Matter is Used?

• Reduced fertilizer less reduced • Increased soil microbiology which in turn: • help crop roots extract nutrients from the soil making fertilizer usage more efficient • Activate nutrients recycling converting crop residue into nutrients, reducing fertilizer requirements • Increases soil structure and porosity • Increases the soil’s ability to manage water: • humus holds 4 times its weight in water helping fight dry conditions • By increasing soil porosity excess rain is allowed to pass through the soil humus holds soil in place reducing wind and water erosion

Knockalva Enterprises limited, trading as EASI-GRo, was founded in April 2014 to supply the needs of the emerging sustainable agriculture market by providing the best organic–based growing products, as well as the knowledge needed to economically implement sustainable, organic growing practices.

PhotoS

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FARMERS to GEt CoFFEE SEEDlINGS:

Member of Parliament for East Rural St. Andrew and wife of the Prime Minister, Juliet holness, displays strawberries grown by farmers in her constituency during her contribution to the 2017/18 Constituency Debate in the house of Representatives on November 7. holness disclosed that over 50,000 blue mountain coffee seedlings (tipica) are to be distributed to farmers in East Rural St. Andrew, under a joint project with the Embassy of Japan called the Enhancement of Production of Blue Mountain Coffee. “We want to ensure that we have the best coffee and we maintain it and the tipica variety is the best there is, so we want to expand that. our goal is to increase productivity,” holness said.

DECEMBER 2017 - JANUARY 2018 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • 13

VEtERINARIAN oF thE YEAR:

Senior Veterinarian at the Jamaica Broilers Group, Dr. Michael Motta receiving the “Veterinarian of the Year Award,” from Dr. Kevin C. Walker, Veterinary Specialist at the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture & Fisheries during the recent Veterinary Medical Association awards ceremony. Dr. Motta was recognised for developing Jamaica’s first calf born to embryo transfer with a Jamaica hope and a surrogate Red Poll dam.

HEAD OFFICE 191 Old Hope Road Kingston 6 Tel: 977-4022/6727 or 618-0172 Fax: 927-2696 THE OPERATION CENTRE 15 Barrett Street, Spanish Town St. Catherine Tel: 984-0625/5792 or 469-1910

Website: www.nicjamaica.com E-mail: nic@cwjamaica.com @nicltdjamaica

Irrigation...Making the Difference in Agriculture

@NICJamaica

14 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • DECEMBER 2017 - JANUARY 2018

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INtERNAtIoNAl NEWS EU and Gates foundation pledge €500 Coffee prices may be poised for revival million for innovations in agriculture C

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DECEMBER 2017 - JANUARY 2018 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • 15

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he European Union together with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation pledged on Tuesday (12 December) more than €500 million over the next three years for research and innovation in agriculture.

The EU, which is the largest donor for development aid, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, which is the larger philanthropist organisation in this field, will work together on a joint initiative to drive research and technical and organisational innovations across agricultural and food systems in developing countries.

Both sides consider that more science and innovation is required to address some of the most pressing challenges posed by climate change. This joint initiative will build on the outcomes of the Paris Agreement and the recent COP23 held in Bonn on the role of agriculture in the climate change agenda.

Among other philanthropists, Bill Gates is one of the stars at the One Planet Summit hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron on the two-year anniversary of the Paris climate accord, which saw nearly 200

France's President Emmanuel Macron (R) and US entrepreneur and philantropist Bill Gates talk on the boat which carries heads of state to the One Planet Summit at La Seine Musicale venue on the Ile Seguin in Boulogne-Billancourt, near Paris, France, 12 December 2017. [Pool/EPA/EFE]

governments agree to end their heavy reliance on fossil fuels and limit further global warming.

Innovations in agriculture may imply the use of GMOs. Bill Gates is known for his support for genetic engineering. In an interview with the Wall Street Journal last year, he said that GMOs for Africa are going to

make a huge difference, particularly because of climate change.

EU Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development Neven Mimica said that the impact of climate change was especially important for less developed countries, where extreme weather events can cause dramatic yield reductions and even famine.

Source: www.euractiv.com

Study ties pesticides in food to reduced fertility in women F (CNN) ruits and vegetables are an essential part of a healthy pregnancy diet, providing vitamins and fiber. Yet some might also come with pesticide residues.

Among women undergoing infertility treatment in the United States, consuming more fruits and vegetables with high amounts of pesticide residue was associated with a lower chance of pregnancy and a higher risk of pregnancy loss, according to a study published in the journal JAMA Internal Medicine on Monday.

Pesticides are pest-killing substances often applied to fruits and vegetables to help protect them -- and us -- against harmful mold, fungi, rodents, weeds and insects.

There has been growing concern that exposure to pesticides can be tied to certain acute and chronic human health concerns.

"Most Americans are exposed to pesticides daily by consuming conventionally grown fruits and vegetables," said Dr. YuHan Chiu, a research fellow in the department of nutrition at the Harvard T.H. Chan

School of Public Health and first author of the study.

"There have been concerns for some time that exposure to low doses of pesticides through diet, such as those that we observed in this study, may have adverse health effects, especially in susceptible populations such as pregnant women and their fetus, and on children," she said. "Our study provides evidence that this concern is not unwarranted."

Yet the findings should be digested with caution, said Janet Collins, executive vice president of science and regulatory affairs for

CropLife International, a trade association representing the manufacturers of pesticides.

Collins was not involved in the study.

"The JAMA research publication does not show a direct link between pesticide residue intake and pregnancy outcome, as the authors state. This is a hypothesis generating study, and as the authors recommend, we agree that before a definitive outcome can be established the issues require further study," she said in an emailed statement.

How harmful are pesticide residues?

The study involved 325 women between 18 and 45 who were undergoing infertility treatment with assisted reproductive technology at the Massachusetts General Hospital, the researchers said.

The women completed a diet assessment questionnaire and had their height, weight and overall health measured, while the researchers accounted for confounding factors that could influence the study results, including their intake of supplements and residential history.

Illegal pesticide contamination of food imports on the rise

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euroefe.es | translated by Sam Morgan PARMA , ITALIAN: European Food Safety Agency (EFSA) report has warned that 6.5% of food imports from third countries contain pesticide residue that exceeds the EU’s maximum permitted level. EURACTIV Spain reports.

The EFSA, based in the northern Italian city of Parma, said that its most recent data, collected in 2014, shows a slight increase from 2013, when 5.7% of food was contaminated.

In terms of food produced by the 28 member states, as well as Iceland and Norway, just 1.6% contained limit-exceeding pesticide residue, up from 1.4% in 2013.

Unpublished field trials by pesticide manufacturers show their products cause serious harm to honeybees at high levels, leading to calls from senior scientists for the companies to end the secrecy which cloaks much of their research.

Of nearly 83,000 food samples analysed, 97% complied with the rules, either by being completely pesticide free (53% of the samples achieved this) or by being within the legal limits.

EFSA pesticide unit Head José Tarazona explained that the EU’s results from 2014 “are in line with what was recorded the year before, meaning that the EU is continuing the protect consumers by controlling the pres-

ence of pesticides in food”.

In total, 3,265 samples were tainted with over-the-limit levels of pesticide, mostly from imports, and about 1,253 cases were contaminated by pesticides that are not approved in the EU. The Spanish region of Aragón is set to request European funding from the Horizon 2020 programme to combat environmental pollution caused by a now-banned pesticide.

EURACTIV Spain reports.

The European agency said that it is “unlikely” that the levels of pesticide it detected would pose a threat to people’s health in the short or long term.

offee prices could be ready to recover as the market negotiates a production deficit – but the gains may struggle to last long, according to Sucden Financial.

The commodities broker pegged global coffee production for the current 2017-18 crop year at 154.4m bags, down from 156.3m bags last year, while consumption is expected to increase to 158m bags.

The resulting deficit of 3.6m bags could lend support to coffee prices, which have been under consistent downward pressure for the last 12 months.

Meanwhile, the net short in New York-traded arabica coffee futures and options is approaching record highs, which could leave the market vulnerable to a rapid spike, Sucden said, flagging the potential for a weakening dollar to support price gains too.

Greenback weakness against the likes of the real boosts the value in dollar terms of assets in which, in this case, Brazil is a major player.

However, Sucden caution against expecting any longer term price improvements, anticipating "the dark cloud of a large Brazil crop to cap prices on the upside".

Output in the world’s largest producer, Brazil, is slightly lower in 201718 on 50.6m bags, due to the biennial cycle of Brazilian production. ld need to be replenished, indicating that "shipments will be low for the remainder of 2017", Sucden said.

This supply scenario could be complicated by the onset of La Nina, which is underway according to official US meteorologists, who give it a 65-75% chance of continuing through the winter.

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Sugar prices slow decline, after harp drop in Brazilian

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ugar futures staged a - temporary - revival after data showed output in Brazil’s Centre South region tailing off faster than had been thought, hampered by wet weather as well as a preference for making ethanol.

The Centre South, responsible for some 90% of Brazilian sugar output, produced 734,000 tonnes of the sweetener in the second half of November – a slump of 35% on volumes in the same period last year.

The extent of the decline reflected largely a 22% drop in the volume of cane crushed, to 15.2m tonnes, thanks to wet weather setbacks to harvesting.

“The fall in the milling [volume] is due to rains, which made harvesting in important sugarcane areas difficult,” said Antonio de Padua Rodrigues, the Unica technical director, adding that onset of seasonal closures by more mills had also undermined output.

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‘Eat what we grow…

Grow what we eat’

Over the past 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

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tEChNoloGY

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Six Ways Drones Are Revolutionizing Agriculture

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by Michal Mazur www.science.howstuffworks.com nmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs)—better known as drones—have been used commercially since the early 1980s. Today, however, practical applications for drones are expanding faster than ever in a variety of industries, thanks to robust investments and the relaxing of some regulations governing their use. Responding to the rapidly evolving technology, companies are creating new business and operating models for UAVs. The total addressable value of drone-powered solutions in all applicable industries is significant— more than $127 billion, according to a recent PwC analysis.

Among the most promising areas is agriculture, where drones offer the potential for addressing several major challenges. With the world’s population projected to reach 9 billion people by 2050, experts expect agricultural consumption to increase by nearly 70 percent over the same time period.

In addition, extreme weather events are on the rise, creating additional obstacles to productivity.

Agricultural producers must embrace revolutionary strategies for producing food, increasing productivity, and making sustainability a priority. Drones are part of the solution, along with closer collaboration between governments, technology leaders, and industry.

Six options for Agricultural Drones Drone technology will give the agriculture industry a hightechnology makeover, with planning and strategy based on real-time data gathering and processing. PwC estimates the market for drone-powered solutions in agriculture at $32.4 billion. Following are six ways aerial and ground-based drones will be used throughout the crop cycle: 1. Soil and field analysis: Drones can be instrumental at the start of the crop cycle. They produce precise 3-D maps for early soil analysis, useful in planning seed planting patterns. After planting, drone-driven soil analysis provides data for irrigation and nitrogen-level management.

2. Planting: Startups have created drone-planting systems that achieve an uptake rate of 75 percent and decrease planting costs by 85 percent. These systems shoot pods with seeds and plant nutrients into the soil, providing the plant all the nutrients necessary to sustain life.

3. Crop spraying: Distancemeasuring equipment—ultrasonic echoing and lasers such as those used in the light-detection and

ranging, or LiDAR, method—enables a drone to adjust altitude as the topography and geography vary, and thus avoid collisions.

Consequently, drones can scan the ground and spray the correct

spot bacterial or fungal infections on trees. By scanning a crop using both visible and near-infrared light, drone-carried devices can identify which plants reflect different amounts of green light and NIR

changes in plants and indicate their health. A speedy response can save an entire orchard. In addition, as soon as a sickness is discovered, farmers can apply and monitor remedies more precisely. These

Drone options for agricultural crop spraying continues to grow with UAV platforms from Japan, China, France and companies like Yamaha and DJI.

amount of liquid, modulating distance from the ground and spraying in real time for even coverage. The result: increased efficiency with a reduction of in the amount of chemicals penetrating into groundwater. In fact, experts estimate that aerial spraying can be completed up to five times faster with drones than with traditional machinery.

4. Crop monitoring: Vast fields and low efficiency in crop monitoring together create farming’s largest obstacle. Monitoring challenges are exacerbated by increasingly unpredictable weather conditions, which drive risk and field maintenance costs. Previously, satellite imagery offered the most advanced form of monitoring.

But there were drawbacks. Images had to be ordered in advance, could be taken only once a day, and were imprecise. Further, services were extremely costly and the images’ quality typically suffered on certain days. Today, time-series animations can show the precise development of a crop and reveal production inefficiencies, enabling better crop management.

5. Irrigation: Drones with hyperspectral, multispectral, or thermal sensors can identify which parts of a field are dry or need improvements. Additionally, once the crop is growing, drones allow the calculation of the vegetation index, which describes the relative density and health of the crop, and show the heat signature, the amount of energy or heat the crop emits.

6. health assessment: It’s essential to assess crop health and

light. This information can produce multispectral images that track

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two possibilities increase a plant’s ability to overcome disease. And in

the case of crop failure, the farmer will be able to document losses more efficiently for insurance claims.

What’s Next?

Looking further into the future, UAVs might involve fleets, or swarms, of autonomous drones that could tackle agricultural monitoring tasks collectively, as well as hybrid aerial-ground drone actors that could collect data and perform a variety of other tasks.

So, what’s slowing the progress of drones in agriculture?

Beyond the barriers to widespread drone adoption in all industries— safety of drone operations, privacy issues, and insurance-coverage questions—the biggest agricultural concern is the type and quality of data that can be captured. To address this, the industry will push for more sophisticated sensors and cameras, as well as look to develop drones that require minimal training and are highly automated.

For more on drones in agriculture and seven other industries, see www.pwc.com comprehensive report.

-Michal Mazur is a partner in PwC’s Drone-Powered Solutions division, @PwCDrone, based in Poland.

Eliminating enemies technology: the Future of Agriculture

By Anthony King he Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations estimates that 20–40% of global crop yields are lost each year to pests and diseases, despite the application of around two-million tonnes of pesticide.

Intelligent devices, such as robots and drones, could allow farmers to slash agrichemical use by spotting crop enemies earlier to allow precise chemical application or pest removal, for example.

“The market is demanding foods with less herbicide and pesticide, and with greater quality,” says Red Whittaker, a robotics engineer at Carnegie Mellon who designed and patented an automated guidance system for tractors in 1997. “That challenge can be met by robots.”

“We predict drones, mounted with RGB or multispectral cameras, will take off every morning before the farmer gets up, and identify where within the field there is a pest or a problem,” says Green. As well as visible light, these cameras would be able to collect data from the invisible parts of the electromagnetic spectrum that could allow farmers to pinpoint a fungal disease, for example, before it becomes estab-

Drones with precision sprayers (insert) apply agrochemicals only where they are needed. Image: Crop Angel Ltd

lished. Scientists from Carnegie Mellon have begun to test the theory in sorghum (Sorghum bicolor), a staple in many parts of Africa and a potential biofuel crop in the United States.

Agribotix, an agriculture data-analysis company in Boulder, Colorado, supplies drones and software that use near-infrared images to map patches of unhealthy vegetation in large fields.

Images can also reveal potential causes, such as pests or

problems with irrigation. The company processes drone data from crop fields in more than 50 countries. It is now using machine learning to train its systems to differentiate between crops and weeds, and hopes to have this capability ready for the 2017 growing season. “We will be able to ping growers with an alert saying you have weeds growing in your field, here and here,” says crop scientist Jason Barton, an executive at Agribotix.

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In case you missed it Over 300 individuals from all across Jamaica converged at the Jamaica Conference Centre for the 2017 Hi-Pro Dealer Awards to celebrate the achievements of high-performing dealers.

Hi-Pro’s top dealers received Zone and All-Island awards for excellence in Feed and Merchandise Sales.

Gospel Artiste, Kevin Downswell, gave a captivating performance to an excited audience, who sang and danced along throughout his set.

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Knowledge Page

DECEMBER 2017 - JANUARY 2018 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • 21

Another cutting edge farm product from hi-Pro

n keeping with its commitment to bring cutting edge products to the local market, the Hi-Pro Division of the Jamaica Broilers Group has introduced the Diamond R Purkote Control Release Fertilizer in various blends.

Diamond R has an exclusive agreement with Pursell Agri-Tech to distribute the Purkote brand.

The Control Release Fertilizer will be available to the farming community as of January 2018 at Hi-Pro Farm Supplies.

The product, which is an innovative technology for sustainable plant nutrition, is an environmentally friendly product capable of withstanding heavy rainfall without leaching and with almost no run-off into rivers and other water sources.

However, it needs heat and water to be activated. The controlled release technology was introduced more than 40 years

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Conley Salmon President -Jamaica Operations, Jamaica Broilers Group

ago, but has undergone evolution and improvement of the polymer and coating process to be at its current advanced stage.

In recognizing the significance of the new product to the local farming community, Conley Salmon, President – Jamaica Operations at the Jamaica Broilers Group, said: “Our aim at Hi-Pro is to bring to the local market the most innovative support systems so that our farmers can realise the best results. This new product is, therefore, in line with that strategy and we welcome it as an addition to the wide range of farming supplies which we stock,” he said.

Tricia Jackson, Store Operations Manager, Hi-Pro Ace, said each granule is wrapped in polymer plastic for protection, with a specified amount of polymer coating used to regulate the release of each granule.

“The fertilizer can be custom blended, and can extend from a 45-day release to a 360-day release. In fact, the more layers of wrapping, the longer it will take for the release to take place,” she explained.

According to Jackson it is ideal for the growing of such crops as Irish potato, tomatoes, peppers, sugar cane, citrus, turf, container plants, flowering plants and nurserie “In addition, Hi-Pro is offering our farmers access to a custom blend of CRF, based on a soil analysis which our experts can do free of charge. So, please call us,” Jackson said.

Diamond R has the exclusive contract for the Purkote brand throughout the Caribbean, so by extension, Hi-Pro Farm Supplies has exclusive rights in Jamaica.

It is against that background that the observance of World Soils Day assumes increased significance.

And, I wish to commend the Agricultural Land Management Division of the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries for leading the charge in having Jamaica join the rest of the world today, Tuesday, December 5, 2017, in celebrating World Soils Day. I also salute the Food and Agriculture Organization for having established this important annual observance, which serves to raise awareness of the importance of this natural resource.

As you may be aware, soil is the basis for food, feed, fuel and fibre production. Indeed, the maintenance or enhancement of global soil resources is essential if humanity’s need for food, water, and energy security is to be met, especially in this era of rapid climate change.

We must all heed the need to manage and preserve, and nurture and enrich our soil resources and so the outreach to our farmers and student farmers is very important.

I note, in fact, with great interest, that your activities today are being held at an agricultural training institution and I urge the young farmers in training to pay keen attention to the information that will be shared and to play their part in the dissemination of that information.

I encourage the team from the Ministry, through the Agricultural Land Management Division, to continue to intensify its soil health assessment programme in order to evaluate the status of soil degradation and to change the trends of unsustainable farming practices.

Best practices in soil health are essential to the productivity and health of both crops and livestock and, ultimately, to us, the end users - the consumers.

to inappropriate management practices, population pressure driving unsustainable intensification and inadequate governance over this essential resource.

The 5 pillars of action; Soil management; Awareness raising; Research; Information and data and Harmonization The Agricultural Land Management Division a division of the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture & Fisheries with responsibility for all soils related issues is this year promoting soil as the basis for food, feed, fuel, and fibre production.

Soil is the reservoir for at least a quarter of global biodiversity and therefore requires the same attention as above-ground biodiversity. Soils play a role in the supply of clean water and resilience to floods and droughts. The largest store of terrestrial carbon is in the soil so that its preservation may contribute to climate change adaptation and mitigation. Soils also serve as a platform and

source for construction and raw materials.

The maintenance or enhancement of global soil resources is essential if humanity’s need for food, water, energy and security is to be met.

Soils have been neglected for too long.

Hence the World Soils Day campaign aims to connect people with soils and raise awareness on its critical importance in our lives.

Areas of fertile soils are under pressure due to climate change and competing unsustainable land uses. To preserve our fertile soils The Agricultural Land Management Division is encouraging our farmers to do soil testing to preserve the nutrient status of soils.

For Further information on Soil testing and analysis contact The Agricultural Land Management Division 191 Old Hope Road, Kingston 6 Tel : (876) 927-0441 or 977-0322

Celebrating December 5 as World Soil Day Indeed our wealth is in the soil

s Jamaica continues to strive towards the national goal of achieving sustainable growth and job creation, it is abundantly clear that agriculture and rural development have a critical role to play in this thrust.

This is so because it is the agricultural sector that forms the base from which industrial growth and development stem and therefore agriculture and agro-industry must grow, if the economy is to grow. And, in order to grow the sector, it must be organised and managed in a structured and business-like manner that takes in all the vital steps from the ground up along the value chain.

Indeed our wealth is in the soil and we need to match our idle lands with our human, intellectual and material resources to foster continual growth and expansion in agriculture and in turn to use agriculture to

By J.C. Hutchinson

Minister Without Portfolio Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries

facilitate more value-added production and manufacturing.

Promoting sustainable management of soil resources

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orld Soil Day (WSD) is held annually on December 5 as a means to focus attention on the importance of healthy soil and advocating for the sustainable management of soil resources.

An international day to celebrate Soil was recommended by the International Union of Soil Sciences (IUSS) in 2002.

Under the leadership of the Kingdom of Thailand and within the framework of the Global Soil Partnership, FAO has supported the formal establishment of WSD as a global awareness raising platform. The FAO Conference unanimously endorsed World Soil Day in June 2013 and requested its official adoption at the 68th UN General Assembly.

In December 2013 the UN General Assembly responded by designating 5 December 2014 as the first official World Soil Day. The Global Soil Partnership is dedicating World Soil Day 2017 to the theme "Caring for the Planet starts from the Ground".

By Marvalee Walker

Land Capability Planner Agricultural Land Management Division

Soil is a finite natural resource. On a human time-scale it is non-renewable. However, despite the essential role that soil plays in human livelihoods, there is a worldwide increase in degradation of soil resources due

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RECIPES traditional Christmas

Banana Fruit Cake

Ingredients: ¾ cup butter 2 cups brown sugar 4 large eggs 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour 3 cups candied fruit 2 cups chopped ½ cup pineapple canned, candied and chopped 1 cup walnuts chopped 1 tablespoon orange juice 1 teaspoon orange zest grated ½ teaspoon orange extract 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon nutmeg ¼ teaspoon cloves, ground 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1 ½ cups bananas mashed

Directions Prepare two 2 Litre (9" x 5") loaf pans. Preheat oven to 300 F. In a large bowl combine the fruit, dates, pineapple and walnuts.

Dredge them with ¼ cup of the flour. Sift the remaining flour together with the baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves. Set aside.

Cream the butter, add the sugar and beat until the mixture is light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs, one at a time. Beat in the orange rind, orange juice and orange extract. Mash the bananas with a fork. (A food processor will tend to liquefy the bananas and this will change the texture of the cake.) Alternately stir the bananas and the flour mixture into the creamed mixture. Stir in the floured fruit and nuts.

Turn into the prepared pans and bake for 2 hours and 15 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the middle of each cake comes out clean. Cool in the pans for 20 minutes, then turn out onto racks.

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Jamaican Sweet Potato Pudding

by Winsome Murphy Jamaican Sweet Potato Pudding is a favorite Sunday desert of Jamaicans and is fondly known as “hell a top, hell a bottom and hallelujah in the middle’

Ingredients: 2 pounds sweet potato 1 cup flour 2 cups coconut milk 1 cups raisin (some used other dried fruits) 2 teaspoons vanilla 1 1/2 teaspoon grated nutmeg 1 teaspoon mixed spice 1 cup brown sugar 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon margarine Get our recipes on your mobile phone. Buy our iPhone or Android Recipe App. Buy the cook book “Simple Jamaican Cooking”. Looking for Jamaican recipe ingredients & seasoning Shop Now in our online store.

Method: Wash and pare off the skin of the potatoes Wash again then grate Grate coconut, add water and squeeze juice through a strainer Blend flour, mixed spice (raisins etc) ,salt, and nutmeg.

Combine this mixture with the grated potatoes and mix well Add sugar, fruits and coconut milk. Mix well.

Grease pan, pour in batter, bake at 350 degrees F for 40-60 minutes or until done

Yields about 5 pounds of cake.

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EAT JAMAICAN DAY:

(l-r) Donovan Stanberry - Permanent Secretary MICAF, Norman Grant - JAS President, Custos of St.Andrew Patricia Dunwell, Trudy-ann Ashmead - National Farm Queen, Shanique ShandKingston and St. Andrew Farm Queen... look at a variety of Exotic Fruits at November 25th annually as ‘Eat Jamaican Day’ held in Kingston.

All eyes on FHIA banana:

Technical staff of The Banana Board display a bunch of the new FHIA 25 variety which is known for its many hands. Sharing lens time are (l-r) Alfred Everett - Extension Officer; Wayne Peart - Innovation and Technology Transfer Manager; Oral Lewis - Coordinator of Extension Services and Winford Madden - Extension Officer. Also pictured is Nicole West-Hayles - Communications Specialist on The Banana Board Grant Contract for Technical Services, funded by The European Union. Developed in Honduras by the Honduran Foundation for Agricultural Research (Fundacion Hondurena de Investigacion Agricola - FHIA), FHIA was introduced to Jamaica in 2001. The new varieties are most suitable for cooking and agro-processing. While the FHIA takes an additional four to six months to mature, it is worth the wait providing upwards of 17 bunches for harvesting. The FHIA cooks in less than five minutes, oozes less stain, easier to peel and leaves no discolouration in the pot.

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