The Agriculturalist Newspaper_August 2018

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AUGUST 2018

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JAS Elects New President

By Patrick Maitland Editor-The Agriculturalist —————————-

Andrene Collings

Stanberry departs Permanent Secretary Post

V

eteran agricultural administrator and farmer Lenworth Fulton will officially assume the presidency of the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS) on Sept. 5th at the first board meeting of the new term when outgoing president Norman Grant will hand over the reins.

Fulton, who previously headed the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) and the Jamaica 4H Clubs, defeated former Mayor of Montego Bay, Glendon Harris, at the 123rd annual general meeting of the JAS on July 11 at the Denbigh Showground in Clarendon.

Delegates of the JAS responded favourably to Fulton with 254 votes, compared to Harris' 81. Denton Alvaranga was elected first vice-president with 258 votes, with only 70 favouring Hugh Johnson for the post.

Two hundred and thirty-six gave their votes to Owen Dobson for the post of second vice-president, with Hugh Lambert polling 88.

Outgoing President Norman Grant was unable to challenge for the position, after serving two consecutive terms, under the society's rules.

Continued on page 5

Donovan Stanberry

Story on Page 5

Special Feature on pages 12-18

Lenworth Fulton President, JAS

2 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • AUGUST 2018

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AUGUST 2018 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • 3

EDITORIAL

JAS president must focus on the big issues!

D

espite its deep-rooted history and legacy of helping to shape the development of Jamaican agriculture, the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS) has been a laughingstock for decades while the resources of its members and farmers continue to deteriorate.

During the past 40 years Courtney Fletcher, Ivan Tomlinson, Bobby Pottinger, Glendon Harris, and Norman Grant were given the opportunity to lead the JAS, but things generally remain the same.

People who understand the issues affecting the JAS would always get annoyed at another JAS president flooding the media with baseless sound bites and empty promises that never address the Society’s reliance on government subvention, and its partisan political activities.

However, during the JAS elections, it was clear that the delegates and farmers elected the team, headed by Lenworth Fulton, to change the course and to apply real business solutions to the issues affecting the Society. The farmers, and indeed the Jamaican society, want actions, not a “bag words.”

PATRICK MAITLAND Publisher - The Agriculturalist patrick@theagriculturalist.com

We are therefore putting forward a few suggestions for the new president to consider.

Firstly, a comprehensive financial and operational audit of the Society is an excellent start to determine its assets and liabilities, as well as its human resource capacities.

The results of the review would be useful for the society’s development plan

for at least the next 10 years.

The JAS must put in place strategies to generate enough income to cover its basic operation, including serving the farmers, staff and other overhead expenditures.

The Society should also put a monetary value on its offerings to members and farmers. A determination of the source of income for those tasks would be constructive.

The JAS is a significant part of the government’s agricultural extension services and should continue to be compensated for the services being provided.

As a not-for-profit organization, the JAS should take more advantages of the vast amount donations that are available for farmers and other low resource food producers. “Food for the Poor,” for example, cannot handle the distribution of large volume of donated material goods, such as equipment and planting materials, intended for farmers. At the same time, the official “farmers’ organization” fail to get onboard to assist its members.

The political and partisan image of the JAS is another area that president Fulton must also address.

We share the opinions that the JAS does not need to be aligned itself with either the Peoples’ National Party or the Jamaica Labour Party to adequately serve the farmers.

When an organization takes on a partisan preference, the only beneficiaries are the top leaders who are rewarded with a higher position of leadership in the respective political parties.

Finally, the president will have to do something about the declining JAS membership, which is now struggling at less than 3,000, even though more than 100,000 farmers are registered with the Rural Agricultural Development Authority.

The leadership should also place more emphasis on attracting young people and women.

The meal-piece approach to development and the hustling mentality of previous leaders are responsible for the poor showing of the JAS. As promised, this is an opportunity for Fulton to create a platform of respect, honesty, and integrity to better serve the farmers of Jamaica.

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

Galvanizing efforts to strengthen the JAS T

he Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS) proudly celebrates the 123rd anniversary and the 66th staging of the Denbigh Agricultural Industrial and Food Show with the election of a new team to chart a course for our farmers.

The overwhelming result at the recently held elections in support of the president, Lenworth Fulton, first and second vice presidents, Denton Alvaranga and Owen Dobson respectively, will redirect JAS on a corridor of transformation to make the organization relevant again to address the major concerns of farmers.

The agricultural sector faces many critical challenges, which need a united effort from an efficiently managed JAS to find meaningful and manageable solutions to these issues. The team leader as president, must harness and employ the available resources, both human and capital, to make success the only outcome.

This administration must create a congenial platform to bring all stakeholders together and to create various tools to solve the problems of production in both crops and livestock. JAS must take a lead role in lobbying gov-

LENWORTH FULTON President Elect, Jamaica Agricultural Society

ernment to take a fresh look at infrastructure and praedial larceny.

The agenda will include irrigation, rural domestic water supply, drought mitigation and water management.

It would be remiss of me not to include the revitalization or creation of a national agricultural market network with emphasis on export and food safety. It is equally important to ad-

dress the grave concern of agricultural credit and the availability of land and other resources for our farmers.

Importantly as well is Jamaica 2030 Vision and in particular the agricultural aspect where some key aspects are lagging behind for example GDP targets, export earnings and improve productivity for both crops and livestock etc.

In this regard, the new JAS must work with government, private sector and other stakeholders to realign this vision to current realities.

In so doing, JAS must establish a long-term plan for the organisation to include the development of its key properties and businesses into sustainable operations as a major manifestation of the impending transformation.

The new dispensation must focus on a pathway of recover for those subsectors that are currently facing many challenges such as sugar cane, coffee, cocoa, citrus, pimento etc. The commodity association for these crops must once again form the nexus under the umbrella of JAS to regain their purposefulness to the farmers and the economy.

My team and I extend our gratitude to all for their support in the recently held election. We pledge to work hard towards the rebuilding of this historic society as an authentic farmers’ organization, which addresses the needs of all its farmers and stakeholders. Let us galvanize our efforts to strengthen the Jamaica Agricultural Society as we anticipate the dawn of a better day for the people of this blessed island, Jamaica.

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 • AUGUST 2018

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AUGUST 2018 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • 5

NEWS

Stanberry departs Permanent Secretary Post

By Kimmy Blair The Agriculturalist Writer ——————————

A

fter weeks of speculations, Donovan Stanberry, the embattled permanent secretary in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, is being replaced.

A source told The Agriculturalist that Andrene Collings, the Chief Technical Director in the Ministry, would assume the role of acting permanent secretary, effective Aug. 4, 2018, until the formalization of a “preferred candidate.”

Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry, J.C. Hutchinson, told The Agriculturalist that Stanberry was leaving the Ministry but did not elaborate.

However, at press time, neither Minister Audley Shaw nor Stanberry could be reached for further comments.

ANDRENE COLLINGS Acting Permanent

DONOVAN STANBERRY Outgoing Permanent Secretary

According to our sources, after 12 years in the post, Stanberry has the option of remaining in the Ministry as the Director General at similar pay scale.

Stanberry has never been accused of any wrongdoings. However, he came under pressure from members of the Public Account Committee of the House of Representative, under then chairman Audley Shaw, after several cases of financial irregularities were uncovered at the Peoples Co-operative Bank and the Sugar Transformation Unit at the Agriculture Ministry.

In March 2016, Stanberry was appointed permanent secretary in the newly created Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture, and Fisheries, following on from his previous appointment as permanent secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries from March 2006 through to February 2016.

Uncertainty surrounds Farmers to reopening of Monymusk benefit from T

here is again uncertainty surrounding the re-opening of the Monymusk sugar factory in Clarendon for the next crop in 2019.

The factory closed at the end of its crop year on July 11.

At that time, Chinese firm Pan Caribbean Sugar Company, issued a notice indicating that it was unsure whether it would continue operating the factory.

Allan Rickards, Chairman of the All Island Jamaica Cane Farmers Association, said that the action of Pan Caribbean is not unusual, as for the last three years, similar notices have been issued.

Rickards said the company continues to have cash flow challenges. He revealed that he has held meetings with the Cane Farmers Association in Clarendon, which stressed that no effort should be spared to ensure that Monymusk operates next year.

ALLAN RICKARDS Chairman, All Island Jamaica Cane Farmers Association

JAS Elects New President Continued from page 1 Grant originally served as president between 2003 and 2009, when he was forced to bypass re-election for the same reason.

The 2009 election was won by Harris, who was then mayor of Montego Bay and a People's National Party (PNP) councilor in the St James Municipal Council. He defeated the head of the All-Island Cane Farmers Association of Jamaica Allan Rickards.

However, Harris stepped down in 2012, allowing Grant to return and serve two additional consecutive terms, which end in September.

Fulton, who campaigned under the theme of “Honesty, Integrity, Transparency, Accountability,” has promised, among other things, to lobby the government and the private sector for much-needed improvements in the welfare of farm families and, by extension, the agricultural labour force. He said he is committed to addressing issues such as health insurance and pension benefits.

Fulton, a graduate of the then Jamaica School of Agriculture and Tuskegee University in the United States with a diploma in general agriculture and a bachelor's degree in economics, respectively, has promised to take the 123-year-old organization into the 21st century.

"They say, and rightly so, that the cost of subsidising the movement of cane from Clarendon to the two factories, namely Appleton and Worthy Park - that cost would be the equivalent of operating the factory or close to it," he explained.

According to the AIJCFA chairman, the concerns and suggestions of the farmers have been outlined to Agriculture Minister Audley Shaw, who has declared that Monymusk cannot be allowed to close indefinitely.

Rickards added that the Clarendon farmers have further suggested that the factory should be operated next crop while discussions take place with investors.

The Government has been trying to entice investors to take over the operation of the factory.

JDAT grant L

ocal farmers are set to benefit from additional grant funding.

The initiative - Jamaica Diaspora Agriculture Taskforce (JDAT) - will be officially launched at the Denbigh Agricultural, Industrial and Food Show in Clarendon on August 6.

Kimone Gooden, chairperson of JDAT, said the project is aimed at creating a mechanism to provide farmers with the necessary support. She said grants will be disbursed within 30 days based on the merit of the application.

The first installment will be paid to start each project, while the final installment will be disbursed after a progress review.

Gooden was speaking in a recent interview with JIS News.

Farmers in Portland to boost pineapple production F armers in Portland to boost pineapple production, following the launch of the pineapple production component of the USAID-funded Ja REEACH Two livelihood expansion programme.

The College of Agriculture, Science and Education at Spring Gardens Farm in

the parish through the collaboration with the USAID project and the Rural Agricultural Development Authority, will target 90 farmers over three years to produce pineapple targeting the local market for fresh and value-added consumption.

The project will commence with 140,000 suckers and six farmers.

It pays to advertise in

The Agriculturalist

6 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • AUGUST 2018

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AUGUST 2018 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • 7

NEWS

FERTILISER FOR COFFEE FARMERS: Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Audley Shaw (2nd left), is presented with a bag of coffee fertilizer by Managing Director, Newport-Fersan Jamaica Limited (NFJ), Dennis Valdez (third right) during a symbolic handing over ceremony at NFJ’s Wherry Wharf Complex location in Kingston on Friday (July 13). Also pictured (from left) are: outgoing President of the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS), Norman Grant and Chief Executive Officer, Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), Peter Thompson. The product, called ‘coffee-lizer’, is among the over 28,000 bags being distributed to farmers islandwide under the Fertilizer Assistance Supplies and Training (FAST) Programme which was established by the Agriculture Ministry last year.

Gov’t and Newport Fersan Partner to Provide Fertiliser for Coffee Farmers

By Alecia Smith, JIS he Government and Newport Fersan Jamaica Limited (NFJ) have partnered to provide over 28,000 bags of newly formulated fertilizer to coffee farmers islandwide. Dubbed ‘coffee-lizer’, the product is designed for application to coffee trees for the prevention and correction of soil nutrient deficiency when used as part of a balanced fertility programme.

It is being distributed under the Fertilizer Assistance Supplies and Training (FAST) Programme which was established by the Ministry of Industry, Commerce,

T

Agriculture and Fisheries last year. Several bags of the coffee-lizer were symbolically handed over to the Agriculture Ministry, during a ceremony at Newport-Fersan’s Wherry Wharf Complex location in Kingston on Friday (July 13). Welcoming the initiative, Portfolio Minister, Hon. Audley Shaw, said this fertilizer distribution programme is in keeping with the Government’s thrust to rebuild the coffee industry.

He noted that the specially formulated fertilizer will help to significantly improve productivity of the sector. Mr. Shaw praised Newport-Fersan “for the ingenuity

in coming up with a fertilizer that is custom-designed for coffee”. Managing Director, NFJ, Dennis Valdez, said his company is presenting a product that is unique to Jamaica, “just as the flavour profile of our coffee is unique to the world”.

“We have seen where coffee-lizer, if used as prescribed will give you the yields whilst not breaking the bank,” he said.

Under the FAST programme, NFJ was tasked with developing and distributing approximately 321 metric tonnes of coffeelizer to nine coffee entities who will, in turn, distribute to the coffee farmers. Dis-

tribution of the coffee-lizer began last month. The coffee-lizer was carefully developed and tested for two years, before being brought on the market. NFJ, which is the nation’s leading blenders and suppliers of fertilizers, developed the product based on the topography of the land, phenological stages (flowering) of the coffee trees and the nutrients needed for the optimal growth and production of a coffee tree.

The handing over ceremony was organized in collaboration with the Jamaica Agricultural Commodities Regulatory Authority (JACRA).

JACRA review completed, says Agriculture Minister A

griculture Minister Audley Shaw says a review of the Jamaica Agricultural Commodities Regulatory Authority (JACRA) has been completed.

In his closing presentation to the 2018/19 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on Tuesday, Mr. Shaw said he is to receive the report by this weekend.

The Agriculture Minister will then report to the nation on what aspects of the JACRA legislation will be amended.

"The intent of the legislation is to remove the government from the commercial aspects of the coffee, cocoa, coconut and spices industries and to set up a regulatory regime conducive to the rapid development of these crops, which still have enomous potential; and while we can see that the legislation is not perfect, we have to hold firm to those provisions that seek to protect local production," the minister reasoned.

Last month, Mr. Shaw assigned a working group to assess and review all aspects of the JACRA Act and its regulations in the wake of concerns raised by the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS), the Parliamentary Opposition and the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce (JCC).

One of the concerns was the taxes levied on pimento, cocoa, coffee, coconut, ginger and turmeric.

Meanwhile, Shaw has suggested that the government might have to consider tying the incentives provided to hotels to their willingness to do business with local companies.

Last month, it was revealed that local farmers and manufacturers supply only 20 per cent of goods used by the tourism industry.

8 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • AUGUST 2018

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IRISH POTATO FARMERS' CONFERENCE: Horane Lawrence (right), Research and Development Assistant, St. Jago Farm & Hardware Supplies Ltd; speaking with the J. C. Hutchinson (2nd right), Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries; from left, Board Member Anthony Clarke, and National Coordinator of the Fruit Tree Crop/Specific Crop Development Officer, Locksley Waites, both of the Rural Agricultural Development Authority. The occasion was the 2018 Irish Potato Farmers’ Conference in Guy’s Hill, St. Catherine, on July 26.

Olive Downer Walsh (right) Deputy Chief Executive Officer, H&L Agro; discussing product with the Hon J. C. Hutchinson (2nd left), Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries; National Coordinator of the Fruit Tree Crop/Specific Crop Development Officer, Locksley Waites (left), and Winston Simpson, Principal Director, both of the Rural Agricultural Development Authority. The occasion was the 2018 Irish Potato Farmers’ Conference in Guy’s Hill, St. Catherine, on July 26.

Gov't employee wins legal case against Agri Ministry A utherine Webb, former Human Resource Manager in the Ministry of Agriculture, has won the first round in her legal battle with the Ministry over her dismissal in April.

Supreme Court judge Georgiana Fraser, on Friday stayed the decision of the Ministry to retire Webb in the public interest.

Webb was sent home in April following a letter from Permanent Secretary Donovan Stanbury.

Webb and her attorney, Hugh Wildman, filed an application seeking judicial review of the decision.

When the matter came up on Friday, the Attorney General's Department, which is representing Mr. Stanbury and the Ministry, said it wanted more time to prepare its case and requested an adjournment.

Wildman urged the judge to stay the decision pending the outcome of Webb's judicial challenge.

Jamaica hosts climate resilience workshop

By Douglas Mcintosh ore than 20 agricultural stakeholders from the region are benefiting from a five-day training worship in Climate Resilience Advanced Crop Modelling.

More than 20 agricultural stakeholders from the region are benefiting from a fiveday training worship in Climate Resilience Advanced Crop Modelling.

The participants are from Jamaica, Barbados, Belize, Guyana, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago, and include agronomists, agricultural extension officers and agrometeorologists, farmers, and researchers.

Crop and livestock impact modelling —

M

which is relatively new to the Caribbean — uses technology to develop and test multiple climate and weather scenarios, validates them using field data, and then explores expected impacts and possible options for adaptation in farming. The objective is to better prepare farmers to deal with weather uncertainties associated with climate change.

Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries Minister, Audley Shaw, who opened the event on the University of the West Indies (UWI) Mona campus on Monday (July 23), pointed out that the Government, over the years, has been working with several partners to build the resilience of the farming sector to climate change.

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AUGUST 2018 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • 9

RADA Focus RADA prepares for Denbigh Show 2018 T

he Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), one of the major partners of the Denbigh Agricultural Industrial Show 2018 will seek to focus the technical aspects of agriculture in its main booth at the event.

In addition, RADA will also work in tandem with the Jamaica Agricultural Society to galvanize the efforts of farmers and showcase the best of the Parishes in the Parish Pavillion booths.

According to RADA CEO Peter Thompson “despite the prevailing drought and other constraints experienced within the sector, the Parish Pavillions will highlight bountiful local produce on display and place on spotlight technology and innovations in agriculture as each parish vie for the coveted title of the Rudpolph Burke and Percival Broderick Trophies.”

Time Slots

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

11:00am

Backyard gardening

Plant Health/Food Safety

Record Keeping (Livestock)

1:00pm

Livestock GAP

Crop Production (Irish Potato)

Proper fitting of gear – PH/FS

2:00pm

Home Economics

Marketing/Post Harvest (Irish Potato/Onion)

Greenhouse production GAP

3:00am

Farming as Business/Farm records

Special Projects

4:00pm

Orchard Management

Livestock nutrition

Schedule for Seminars at Denbigh Show 2018

For the main RADA booth, technical information will be creatively displayed from units to include: Livestock, Plant Health and Food Safety, Marketing and Post Harvesting, Home Economics and Social Services, Climate Smart Agriculture, Information and Communication Technology among others.

With the main aim to sensitize patrons of the services being offered, the RADA team will use an interactive and participatory approach (from knowledge testing games to seminars and practical demonstrations) to capture interests and stimulate learning.

Spot prizes will continue throughout all three days of the event.

Patrons were also able to sample the finest Twickenham products to include bammies, pancake mixes and scrumptious delights from the Home Economics and Social Services Department and Agrimart.

DROUGHT MITIGATION ADVISORY This is the message from the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA).

D

rought conditions are currently affecting a number of parishes across the island, with most acute conditions reported by Portland, St. Catherine, Clarendon, St. Elizabeth and Manchester. Although water tracking is in place for some areas, locations of the farms and terrain will continue to present challenges.

With the possibility of the drought to worsen, crop and livestock farmers must take a proactive approach in putting in place management strategies to minimize impacts:

To conserve water by: • Scale down on acreages under production where possible • Choose crops which can better withstand drought (sweet potato, cassava) and use drought tolerant varieties of crops • Mulch soil • Practice intercropping and use of cover crops to reduce soil exposure • Use available water efficiently. Invest in drip irrigation • Irrigate and/or water crops during early hours of morning or in the afternoon • Still consider water harvesting. Even during dry spells intermediate rains can provide good supply of water • Maintain your water ponds. Do not allow ponds to remain totally dry. Leave some water.

• Consider water recycling from other on-farm operations where possible.

Minister without Portfolio, MICAF JC Hutchinson (3rd l) and RADA, CEO Peter Thompson (2nd l) present tools and seeds to Samantha Messam Foster , Senior Teacher, Mulgrave Primary School as participant to the National School Garden Programme, while Nathan Samuels, RADA St. Elizabeth Parish Agricultural Manager assist — at Bamboo Avenue, St Elizabeth.

Livestock farmers, reduced access to water and heat stress can result in animals suffering from dehydration, low milk production and milk quality to supply off-springs.

• Animals may become sick and may also die.

• It is recommended that the following practices are put in place: • Use every opportunity to harvest and store rainwater such as tanks connected to the roofs of houses • Reduce stocking density • Improve management of water resources through the use of nipple drinkers • Provide shade for animals • Feed animals at cooler times of the day • Ensure water being offered is cool • Install fans in livestock units • Install sprinklers • Provide additional housing to reduce stocking density and increase air flow

Contact your local RADA Extension Offiers:

rada.gov.jm • 876-977-1158-62

National Coordinator of the Fruit Tree Crop/Specific Crop Development Officer, Locksley Waites (left), Rural Agricultural Development Authority; in discussion with Dennis Lecky (right) Product Development Agronomist at Ag-Chem Plant Limited at the 2018 Irish Potato Farmers’ Conference in Guy’s Hill, St. Catherine, on July 26 . At centre is Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, J.C. Hutchinson

10 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • AUGUST 2018

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AUGUST 2018 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • 11

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Many sugar mills face uncertain future SAIGON TIMES: hile the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA) has been delayed until 2020, the future of the local sugar industry, with several sugar mills facing closure, remains uncertain, officials said.

When the program to boost sugar production to one million tons kicked off in 1995 to generate income for and build close relations with farmers, promote local economic development and boost national modernization, localities raced to build sugar mills.

However, the program was not executed systematically and did not focus on production efficiency. Many sugar mills were recently forced to close due to a lack of effective technology or planting areas for raw materials.

While farmers are normally able to sell their sugarcane to sugar mills, a number of farmers saw their sugarcane crops left untouched due to the closure of multiple mills.

Dozens of farming households in Cu

W

A sugarcane grower in Long An Province watches as a porter carrying sugarcane passes by

Lao Dung District, Soc Trang Province, gathered at Soc Trang Sugar Joint Stock Com-

pany to ask for debt payments. NIVL Sugar Joint Stock Company in Long An Province,

which still owes more than VND100 billion, had to buy sugarcane and pay the farmers in sugar.

Despite these difficulties, capable companies have managed to invest in sugarcane planting areas, while many other sugar mills have still managed to meet their financial targets and maintain their consumption of sugarcane.

This has highlighted the fact that companies with clear visions and strong financial capabilities can stand firm in the sugar industry. Meanwhile, companies with outdated technologies, low productivity, small planting areas and poor financial capabilities have struggled to survive.

Smuggled sugar is regarded as the main source of difficulties faced by sugar mills.

Even if the sugar industry works toward enhancing productivity, lowering production costs and narrowing the price gap with sugar smuggled in from Thailand, the fight against sugar smuggling will continue.

US-China trade war puts pressure on Vietnamese agricultural products

T

he US-China trade war will force agricultural products from the world’s two most powerful economies to seek new markets which could lead to a flood of cheap products coming into Vietnam, putting considerable pressure on domestic farm produce.

The growth of the agricultural sector

hit a 10 year high during the first half of this year. However, export markets have seen unstable developments from the impact of the US-China trade war, the European Commission (EC)’s extension of a yellow card warning on Vietnamese seafood, unpredictable weather and natural disasters are existing difficulties facing

the sector in late months of the year.

Domestic market faces intense competition as tariffs hit US-China trade war puts pressure on Vietnamese agricultural products, vietnam economy, business news, vn news, vietnamnet bridge, english news, Vietnam news, news Vietnam, vietnamnet news, vn

news, Vietnam net news, Vietnam latest news, Vietnam breaking n China and the US are the two major export markets for Vietnam’s agricultural products. The tit-for-tat US-China trade war has created dramatic shifts in the import and export policies of the two powerful economies.

12 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • AUGUST 2018

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Profiles of JAS leadership Lenworth George Fulton

F

ulton is an agriculturalist extraordinaire who has been serving the Jamaican farmers for over 30 years in various capacities, including CEO, Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA); Executive Director, Jamaica 4H Clubs; Programme Specialist, USAID and Managing Director – COA Jamaica Foundation and Spring Garden Farms.

He is a graduate of the Jamaica School of Agriculture (JSA), now CASE, and Tuskegee University in the United States, with a Diploma in General Agriculture and a B.Sc. in Economics, respectively. He currently manages his farm in Lumsden, St. Ann, and serves as a consultant to several agribusiness operations.

JAMPRO Forecasts Business and Investment Boom

He has gained valuable experience working with international and local agencies such as FAO, CVSS/United Way. His passion for JAS spanned over 20 years, serving in different capacities such as branch member in St Ann; exofficio National Board member representing Jamaica 4-H Clubs and RADA; and current president of St. Catherine ABS and member of the National Board representing St. Catherine.

Fulton sees the JAS as the vehicle for improvement in agricultural production and productivity, training, affordable financing, marketing and social entrepreneurship, especially for rural communities.

T

Lenworth George Fulton President, JAS

Denton Alvaranga

A

lvaranga is a Clarendonian and hails from the cool hills of Chapleton. He is a graduate of Clarendon College and the former Jamaica School of Agriculture.

Alvaranga’s 38 years in extension with Ministry of Agriculture and RADA makes him inseparable with JAS, 4-H and other related institutions.

His deep passion for small farmers emanated from an early age, which propelled his career in agriculture.

He was the RADA Parish Manager for St. Andrew and currently is the ABS President for Clarendon. He is also an active farmer and ardent Christian.

His quest to be the First Vice President of JAS is driven by his love for volunteerism, community participation and altruism.

He stands on a solid foundation of godliness, morality, honesty, virtue, prudence, justice, fortitude and truth.

Denton Alvaranga First Vice President, JAS

Owen Dobson

D

obson is from Delveland, Westmoreland and is a graduate of Little London High School. This self-motivated man worked with Hedonism Hotel in Negril for eight years whilst at the same time got involved with farming.

He is involved with pig rearing, crops and trucking. He was the most improved pig farmer for two years and then copped the prize for National Champion Pig Farmer.

This progressive and committed farmer is married for 31 years with two children. He is

the senior deacon for the Delveland New Testament Church and also Vice Chairman for St Paul Primary School.

His passion for Jamaica Agricultural Society began in 1994 as a branch member from which he became president of Westmoreland ABS in 1998.

Dobson became a national board member in 1999. His 24 years dedicated service to the JAS positioned him as the best choice for second vice-president.

Dobson is a model farmer, Christian and volunteer who lives a life of honesty, industry, patriotism and transparency.

By Kadian Brown, JIS he Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO) is forecasting expansion in business and investment opportunities for the country as a result of increased interest and scouting of key sectors by potential investors.

These include agri-business, business process outsourcing (BPO), energy, logistics, manufacturing and tourism, which were the focus areas at the recently held Jamaica Investment Forum (JIF).

President of the agency, Diane Edwards, who spoke with JIS News, said that Jamaica continues to attract significant interest and attention as a tourist destination, which is evident in the various projects that have been recently completed, others under way and initiatives in the pipeline.

JAMPRO is forecasting expansion in business and investment opportunities for the country as a result of increased interest and scouting of key sectors by potential investors.

These include agri-business, business process outsourcing (BPO), energy, logistics, manufacturing and tourism, which were the focus areas at the recently held Jamaica Investment Forum (JIF).

President of the agency, Diane Edwards, who spoke with JIS News, said that Jamaica continues to attract significant interest and attention as a tourist destination, which is evident in the various projects that have been recently completed, others under way and initiatives in the pipeline.

She noted that there is heightened interest from investors in Mexico and Spain, who are looking for sites and locations for new hotels or to expand existing properties.

She said that companies from the Middle and Far East are also looking at hotel opportunities here in Jamaica, so “tourism is thriving and alive and attracting new interests”.

Owen Dobson Second Vice President, JAS

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MESSAGE Made Jamaica proud Growth of farmers’ livelihoods

I

I

extend hearty congratulations to the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS) for having spearheaded successful stagings of the annual Denbigh Agricultural show over the years. This Annual National and International Event has become a major feature of our Independence Celebrations.

I pay tribute to the leadership, management and membership of the Jamaica Agricultural Society for its growth and accomplishments of the body over its hundred and twenty-three-year history.

You have made Jamaica proud and have made significant contributions by increasing food security, modernizing agricultural practices, expanding exports in the sector as well as advancing the efforts of environmental protection.

Agriculture has, for quite some time, been one of our many strengths and we must therefore embrace it, protect it and invest in it as we seek to achieve even greater gains in the sector.

The time is right for all Jamaicans to give greater support to the sector to stimulate and sustain growth. There is no substitute for teamwork.

Let us seek to accelerate the marriage of the innovativeness and energy of

Patrick Allen Governor-General, Jamaica the technologically savvy millennial generation with the discipline, the attention to detail and the spirit of cooperation of the older players within the sector to create an unstoppable force for good in this country.

Best wishes for a productive 2018 staging of the Agricultural, Industrial and Food Show and other future endeavours.

Agricultural excellence

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or 66 years the Denbigh Agricultural, Industrial and Food Show has been a display of agricultural excellence. Indeed, it has been a fine example what is high quality and standards within our agricultural sector.

Denbigh has consistently provided Jamaicans with premium quality in terms of food, innovations and livestock and also proudly showcases the best in tenacity, hard work and dedication among our farmers.

The country’s largest agricultural show, holds true to its mandate to provide a platform which not only draws attention to the achievements of farmers but one that supports their every effort by seeking to consistently improve and create new opportunities for agricultural growth.

Each year at Denbigh new there is the display of advancements in the Agriculture, more connectivity across the related sectors and greater opportunities for every farmer to benefit from these progressive actions.

I commend the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS) for consistently organising a high quality event. Denbigh is a staple event on the agricultural calendar also boosts the local economy, as farmers continue to work together to reduce the food import bill and ensure national food security.

wish to commend the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS) on completing another successful year.

The Society, through its many initiatives and programmes, has seen much growth in its own operations as well as contributed significantly to the growth of our farmers’ livelihoods.

As part of its mandate, the JAS has successfully partnered with Government toward the protection of markets for our local farmers who produce a wide range of crops as well as livestock.

Jamaica is now self-sufficient in the production of eggs, poultry and pork, under the umbrella of the Eat Jamaican Programme instituted by the JAS. Other programmes such as seed distribution, farmers’ technology, marketing and information programmes and the over 1,000 training sessions for farmers, also served to augment the development and growth of our farmers, and by extension, our nation.

This kind of active support is indicative of the kind of partnership that is needed to lift the nation’s agricultural sector and I commend the management and staff of the JAS on the stellar execution of their mandate.

I further commend the JAS for redirecting its financial standing toward a more profitable and sustainable entity. As

Audley Shaw Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture And Fisheries the end of March 2018, the JAS boasted income of $30 Million compared with in the previous year’s $7 million, with net assets of $529 Million, an increase of 8 per cent.

The JAS’ hallmark event, the Denbigh Agricultural Show remains the largest event of its kind in Jamaica, and indeed, the Western Hemisphere. The annual event attracts some 80,000 patrons, grossing $75 Million with close to 1,000 exhibitors.

I look forward to another successful staging this year!

Technology and adequate funding

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Andrew Holness Prime Minister, Jamaica Indeed, the agricultural sector is undoubtedly the backbone of our nation and we must give credit to our farmers who continue to be one of the greatest driving forces behind Jamaica’s economic growth.

I applaud and congratulate all my Jamaican farmers and the JAS for putting together another successful Denbigh Agricultural, Industrial and Food Show displaying the best of Jamaica. It is Denbigh will continue to surpass expectations, break new frontiers. I wish for you a wonderful event for 2018.

am delighted by your invitation to contribute this brief message for this Denbigh Show feature, which highlights the many achievements of the organization in advancing the interests of the Jamaican farmers.

The Jamaican Agricultural Society (JAS) which has had its early beginnings in 1895, is well rooted in the country’s agricultural and rural development.

Throughout these many decades, the JAS pioneered many important initiatives, such as, the “Eat Jamaican” campaign in 2003 and “Farmers Month” to give farmers an opportunity to market their products using non-traditional techniques.

Perhaps, the most important and memorable initiative and achievement is the annual staging of the Denbigh Agricultural, Industrial and Food Show at the Denbigh Grounds in Clarendon, which brings farmers and other stakeholders from across Jamaica for a comprehensive display of the country’s best produce and products.

Under the current leadership, the JAS continues to play a critical role in organizing and transforming the organization, moving the Society’s assets from $175 million in 2003 to approximately $500 million, and reduced its debt portfolio from approximately $200 million to $69 million.

However, despite all the achievements, our farmers continue to face chal-

Peter D Phillips Leader of the Opposition lenges with praedial larceny and losses to drought and other natural disasters which inflict injurious condition on many farmers and farming communities. We believe that some of these challenges can be eliminated with proper planning and resources.

We are proud of the role of our farmers in feeding the nation and on this occasion of the staging of the 2018 Denbigh Agricultural Show, I salute all farmers for their hard work and faithful service to Jamaica.

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Minis contes compe

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Denbigh 2018 - another wholesome, high quality experience S ince 1952 Jamaica has consistently held the oldest, largest and most dynamic Agricultural Show in the English Speaking Caribbean and the Western Hemisphere, the Denbigh Agricultural Industrial and Food Show.

At every staging this iconic Jamaican event showcases the successes and lauds achievements in the agricultural sector.

The Denbigh show holds true to its mandate as the Caribbean’s leading agricultural show to provide consistently wholesome, entertaining and family oriented attractions for the over 80,000 patrons, close to 1,000 exhibitors and has grown from $8 million in 2003 to now $75million and generate $1billion of economic activities for the sector and the country annually.

Each year our theme serves as a reminder of the importance of agriculture to Jamaica and for our 66th staging our theme echoes: “Grow What We Eat and Eat What We Grow”…..Agriculture, securing our future.”

The Denbigh Show has become the “Mecca” for our 250,000 farmers and fisher folks across Jamaica as the pride of work and love for Agriculture is displayed by our exhibitors including our parish pavilions, agricultural and horticultural exhibits,livestock, youth and other stakeholders.

The hard work and competition threading through the many Parish Agricultural Shows island-wide leads up to a showcase of

By Norman Washington Grant Outgoing President, JAS Denbigh Show Committee Chair the very best livestock and produce, the trendy and new ideas in the industries , and the consistent success models all on display, in one showground. It is an opportunity for knowledge of the agricultural sector and its related industries to be learned, shared and applauded.

The Jamaica Agricultural Society will host the Denbigh Show in collaboration with the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries ably supported by our partners RADA, Jamaica 4H Clubs and Title Sponsors Hi-Pro, Delta Supply Company and Jamaica Social Investment Fund, other

major sponsors to include Development Bank of Jamaica, H&L Agro, Ag Chem Plant, Food for the Poor, St Jago Farm Supplies, RJR Gleaner Group, KFC, Rum Bar Rum, Heart Trust and the Agricultural Diaspora Taskforce and many others.

The Denbigh Experience is designed to satisfy the entire family catering to young and old alike. We have prepared the Children and Family Village, Denbigh Health and Wellness Centre, Organic Village, Youth in Agriculture Village, Tourism Linkages, Denbigh Symposium, Parish Pavilion Competitions, Livestock Competitions and Displays.

Nightly Entertainment will include the HiPro Denbigh Gospel Extravaganza, Farm Queen Coronation Show and a Denbigh Stage show. Each day the entrance fee will be $1000.00 for adults and $400.00 for children.

As our theme reminds us Jamaica’s future depends heavily on agriculture and our farmers continue to be the lifeblood of our country’s growth and sustainability. Our salute to farmers continues as MICAF joins us highlighting the remarkable achievements of our farmers and their input to our stabilizing our economy. It is with the farmer’s dedication and hard work that we continue to produce more local crops and consistently contribute to GDP 7.4 percent through the reduction of importations resulting in vital savings for Jamaica’s economy. The JAS continues to recognize our farmers as the

lifeblood and the backbone of our economy and Denbigh66 will use its platform to highlight our farmer’s sterling contribution to Jamaica over the years.

Their support of the Eat Jamaican Campaign remains a vital avenue to drive awareness of healthy local choices for food, influence change in eating habits towards consuming more local grown produce and encourage demand for domestic crop production further reducing our food imports which has resulted in a savings of US$500 million and increased production from 491,000 tonnes in 2003 to 668,000 tonnes at 2016.

I wish to extend a sincere thank you from the Jamaica Agricultural Society and The Denbigh Show Committee to our partners; Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, RADA, the Jamaica 4 Clubs all sponsors, exhibitors, agriculture stakeholders, patrons including our valuable overseas partners, JAS management, staff, members, ABS Presidents and Commodity Board Chairpersons, farmers, our overseas partners and agencies for their continuous support to “The Denbigh Agricultural, Industrial & Food Show.”

Denbigh 2018 will be another wholesome, high quality experience as we proudly applaud 66 years of dedication from our farmers, advancements in agriculture and related industries, sustained economic growth and a platform for food security for Jamaica,

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All in Place for Denbigh Agricultural Show

By Judith A. Hunter, JIS resident of the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS), Norman Grant, addresses JIS ‘Think Tank’ today (July 27). He gave an update on plans for Denbigh 2018.

President of the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS), Norman Grant, is reporting that all is in place for the 66th staging of the Denbigh Agricultural, Industrial and Food Show.

The annual event will be held on the Denbigh Show Ground, May Pen, Clarendon, from August 4 to 6, under the theme ‘Grow what you eat‌ Eat what you grow: Agriculture securing our future’.

The three-day show, which is considered the premier agro-industrial show in Jamaica and the Englishspeaking Caribbean, will get going on August 4 with an address by Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agri-

P

culture and Fisheries, Hon, Audley Shaw.The day’s activities will culminate with the coronation of the National Farm Queen.

President of the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS), Norman Grant, is reporting that all is in place for the 66th staging of the Denbigh Agricultural, Industrial and Food Show.

The annual event will be held on the Denbigh Show Ground, May Pen, Clarendon, from August 4 to 6, under the theme ‘Grow what you eat‌ Eat what you grow: Agriculture securing our future’.

Addressing a JIS ‘Think Tank’, today (July 27), Mr. Grant said the agricultural sector is the economic lifeblood of the Jamaican economy and the pillar on which sustained growth and development will be realised.

The three-day show, which is considered the premier agro-industrial show in Jamaica and the English-speaking Caribbean, will get going on August 4 with an address by Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon, Audley Shaw.The day’s activities will culminate with the coronation of the National Farm Queen.

The Governor-General’s Day is Sunday, August 5. His Excellency, the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen, who is also Patron of the JAS, will be the special guest.The highlight of the day will be the Hi-Pro Gospel Extravaganza.

On the final day, August 6, Independence Day, Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, will deliver the keynote address. The threeday show will climax with the Denbigh Entertainment Show.

The show will be enhanced with several Denbigh Village concepts, such as the children and family, health and wellness, youth in agriculture and a craft village.

Patrons will also be given an opportunity to purchase fresh produce from the farmers’ market over the three days.

There will be competitions for National Champion Farmer, livestock and champion youth in agriculture. “The show is a benchmark for showcasing agriculture and is a culmination of the parishes’ agricultural shows islandwide. It is a perfect platform for patrons and exhibitors to be exposed to modern trends in agriculture and related industries,� Mr. Grant said. Gates will open at 8:00 a.m. each day and admission is $1,000 for adults and $400 for children.

N E W PA AY YMENT OPTIONS ARE N O W AVA I L A B L E ‡™ ƒ�† ‡š‹•–‹�‰ …—•–‘�‡”• ‘ˆ –Š‡ ƒ”‡ „‡‹�‰ ƒ †˜‹•‡† –Šƒ – ’ƒ ›�‡�– ‘ˆ „‹ŽŽ• …ƒ � �‘™ „‡ �ƒ†‡ ƒ– ‹ŽŽ š’”‡•• Ž‘…ƒ–‹‘�• ‹•Žƒ�†™‹†‡ ‘” ˜‹ƒ ‘‹�– ‘ˆ ƒŽ‡ �ƒ…Š‹�‡• ƒ– ‘—” ˆˆ‹…‡•Ǥ

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EDUCATION

CASE gets US $100,000 for Plant Tissue Culture Lab Construction: Norma Jarrett, president of the Ole Farmers Association North America Inc (OFANA) (at poduim) along with (l-r) Renford Williams, Donna Bredwood, Jennifer Petgrave, Education Minister Ruel Reid, Doreen Danvers, Audrey Spence, Jurist Taylor, Peterson Warburton, Wendell Codner and Derrick Deslandes at the 12th Annual General Meeting of the association’s which was held at Rosen Centre Hotel, Orlando, Florida USA. The OFANA donated US $100,000 for the construction of a Plant Tissue Culture Lab at the the College of Agriculture Science and Education (CASE).

Everybody reads The Agriculturalist READY FOR DENBIGH SHOW 2018: Students of the Heart Trust/NTA Ebony Park Academy pose with a one of many prize winning cattles at the Denbigh Agriculture Show. The Academy is mandated to provide training and certification in Agricultural Skills. It is located on a 200-Hectare (500 acre) property in Toll Gate, Clarendon. It also offers training in information technology, hospitality, and agro processing. Programmes offered: Agricultural Extension Services, Agro Food Processing, Commercial Food Preparation, Computer Repairs, Crop Production, Food and Beverage-Captain, General Agriculture, Green House Technology, Housekeeping, Livestock Rearing, Ornamental Horticulture and Landscaping, Turf Management.

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

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Protect

your CRO OPS…

Slight Toxicity

Controls Fungi/ /diseases such as Late Blight and Cucurbit b t do downyy mildew de Protects: '.10 • Pepper pp • Potato 1/#61

Always exercise caution and wear proper safety gear when handling preparing and using pestticides; keep out of reach of children. Refer to Product Instructions for correct usage.

Available at Hi-Pro Ace Supercentre and leading farm sto ores islandwide. • Telephone: 984-7918/619-1302

24 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • AUGUST 2018

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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.

Sponsors of the National Green House Farmers

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AUGUST 2018 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • 25

TECHNOLOGY

Agri technologies that will change the world Michell Zappa, Policy Horizons Canada

Synthetic biology : Synthetic biology is about programming biology using standardized parts as one programs computers using standardized libraries today. Includes the broad redefinition and expansion of biotechnology, with the ultimate goals of being able to design, build and remediate engineered biological systems that process information, manipulate chemicals, fabricate materials and structures, produce energy, provide food, and maintain and enhance human health and our environment.

B

elow are technologies related to agricultural and natural manufacturing under four key areas of accelerating change: Sensors, Food, Automation and Engineering.

Sensors help agriculture by enabling real-time traceability and diagnosis of crop, livestock and farm machine states.

Food may benefit directly from genetic tailoring and potentially from producing meat directly in a lab.

Automation will help agriculture via large-scale robotic and microrobots to check and maintain crops at the plant level.

Engineering involves technologies that extend the reach of agriculture to new means, new places and new areas of the economy. Of particular interest will be synthetic biology, which allows efficiently reprogramming unicellular life to make fuels, byproducts accessible from organic chemistry and smart devices.

We have included predictions based on consultation with experts of when each technology will be scientifically viable (the kind of stuff that Google, governments, and universities develop), mainstream (when VCs and startups widely invest in it), and financially viable (when the technology is generally available on Kickstarter).

Sensors Air & soil sensors : Fundamental additions to the automated farm, these sensors would enable a real time understanding of current farm, forest or body of water conditions.

Equipment telematics: Allows mechanical devices such as tractors to warn mechanics that a failure is likely to occur soon. Intra-tractor communication can be used as a rudimentary "farm swarm" platform.

Livestock biometrics: Collars with GPS, RFID and biometrics can automatically identify and relay vital information about the livestock in real time.

Crop sensors: Instead of prescribing field fertilization before application, highresolution crop sensors inform application equipment of correct amounts needed. Optical sensors or drones are able to identify crop health across the field (for example, by using infra-red light).

Infrastructural health sensors : Can be used for monitoring vibrations and material conditions in buildings, bridges, factories, farms and other infrastructure.

Coupled with an intelligent network, such sensors could feed crucial information back to maintenance crews or robots.

Genetically designed food The creation of entirely new strains of food animals and plants in order to better address biological and physiological needs.

A departure from genetically modified food, genetically designed food would be engineered from the ground up.

A 3DR IRIS+ takes off at the Cornell University Musgrave Research Farm during a flight evaluation conducted by the NUAIR Alliance. The drone will be used to support new research for efficiently detecting plant disease in field crops.

In vitro meat : Also known as cultured meat or tubesteak, it is a flesh product that has never been part of a complete, living animal. Several current research projects are growing in vitro meat experimentally, although no meat has yet been produced for public consumption.

Variable rate swath control : Building on existing geolocation technologies, future swath control could save on seed, minerals, fertilizer and herbicides by reducing overlapping inputs.

By pre-computing the shape of the field where the inputs are to be used, and by understanding the relative productivity of different areas of the field, tractors or agbots can procedurally apply inputs at variable rates throughout the field.

Rapid iteration selective breeding: The next generation of selective breeding where the end-result is analyzed quantitatively and improvements are suggested algorithmically.

Agricultural robots Also known as agbots, these are used to automate agricultural processes, such as harvesting, fruit picking, ploughing, soil maintenance, weeding, planting, irrigation, etc.

Precision agriculture: Farming management based on observing (and responding to) intra-field variations. With satellite imagery and advanced sensors, farmers can optimize returns on inputs while preserving resources at ever larger scales. Further understanding of crop variability, geolocated weather data and precise sensors should allow improved automated decision-making and complementary planting techniques.

Robotic farm swarms : The hypothetical combination of dozens or hundreds of agricultural robots with thousands of microscopic sensors, which together would monitor, predict, cultivate and extract crops from the land with practically no human intervention. Small-scale implementations are already on the horizon.

Closed ecological systems Ecosystems that do not rely on matter exchange outside the system. Such closed ecosystems would theoretically transform waste products into oxygen, food and water in order to support life-forms inhabiting the system. Such systems already exist in small scales, but existing technological limitations prevent them from scaling.

Vertical farming A natural extension of urban agriculture, vertical farms would cultivate plant or animal life within dedicated or mixed-use skyscrapers in urban settings.

Using techniques similar to glass houses, vertical farms could augment natural light using energy-efficient lighting. The advantages are numerous, including year-round crop production, protection from weather, support urban food autonomy and reduced transport costs.

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ENVIRONMENT

How to source fish in the safest and most toxin-free (Natural News) ish is, inarguably, one of the healthiest food sources available to us on this planet. Fatty fish, for one, are the best sources of omega-3 fatty acids, which help support brain and body functions and are linked to the prevention of many diseases.

For people living in areas that receive limited sunlight, fish is the next best source of vitamin D. However, where it comes from is another story: Many waters where fish are commercially farmed and harvested are rife with pollution and heavy metals.

What’s worse, while the fish are regularly exposed to these dangers, the commercial use of pesticides and antibiotics on fish make them a health risk, instead of a health benefit.

One way to reduce your exposure to these dangers and ensure that you get safe, toxin-free fish: Stay away from farmraised fish.

Unfortunately, the choice between wild-caught fish and farm-raised fish isn’t black and white: At best, it’s choosing the lesser of two evils, which makes non-

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farmed fish varieties just slightly better than the farmed counterparts. While the risk of mercury contamination is higher in wild salmon, tuna, and swordfish, its farmraised variants are affected by run-off from land-based sources of pollution, given most farms are found on ocean shorelines.

This means that farmed fish are exposed to things like agricultural run-off such as pesticides and herbicides, as well as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) and dioxins –

persistent environmental pollutants that are highly carcinogenic.

In addition, most farmed fish are regularly pumped full of antibiotics to prevent diseases and pests – much like how “factory farmed” land animals are drugged to help them cope with living in cramped, unsanitary conditions. How the farms are managed is also a factor in why fish have more toxins compared to their wild-caught relatives.

In India, for example, most farms are operated by people with little to no knowledge on the needs of the fish and the proper upkeep of the pond. All this leads to questionable practices in farm management, including poor nutrition (many farms in India use human waste or diseased fish in pellets) and the use of toxic chemicals.

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It shouldn’t even be shocking at this point that a study has found that farmed fish carry more toxins than wild-caught.

This trend is seen in the five most common farmed types, including salmon, sea bass, cod, catfish, and tilapia. In particular, the Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) is part of this list, as most commercially available fish are raised in farms.

California laws on marijuana cultivation inadvertently hurting the environment (Natural News)/Isabelle Z. ittle is known about the long-term impact of marijuana farming or regulations in the industry as policymaking struggles to stay on top of the industry’s growth.

Part of the problem is that California laws state marijuana cultivation must be confined to just one acre per land parcel.

By preventing wide-scale industrial marijuana farms, this law is actually encouraging small farms with big environmental impacts to proliferate, breaking up the forest and hurting wildlife habitats.

This adds on to previous studies carried out by the same research team showing that the pesticides used on marijuana farms to keep rodents away can hurt mammals in the area, while irrigation is having a negative impact on local wildlife.

Moreover, because their locations are typically quite remote, access roads must be created and land must be cleared for production.

L

That report suggested that growing marijuana in places with gentler slopes, plenty of water sources, and better access to roads could help reduce the threats to the environment significantly. Marijuana can also be cultivated indoors.

Those growing the crop should avoid using chemical pesticides for obvious reasons. It’s not just bad for the environment; it’s also terrible for your health. Indeed, pesticide exposure could be behind the cancer that spurs many people to seek medical marijuana in the first place.

Some illegal forest growers have been using pesticides like carbofuran, which has long been banned in the country, and it’s now making its way into the water. This causes headaches, vomiting, muscle twitches, dizziness, convulsions and even death in some cases. California is home to more than 90 percent of the illegal pot farms found in the nation.

Profits coming at expense of environment Unfortunately, there are a lot of profits to be made here, and some of the less scrupulous growers are focusing on profits at the expense of the environment. By raising awareness about the potential impact, it is hoped that such parties will turn to more responsible growing practices in the future.

As the scientists in these studies point out, however, there isn’t much research available about land-use science when it comes to cannabis agriculture.

WE COVER ALL NEWS.... AGRICULTURE editor@theagriculturalist.com • 1-876-923-7471

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Knowledge Page WHAT & WHEN TO PLANT

AUGUST

Newport Fersan Jamaica Limited Managing Director Dennis Valdez shows off the new “Coffee Lizer” blend

Newport Fersan introduces ‘Coffee Lizer’

T

he Government and Newport Fersan Jamaica Limited have partnered to provide over 28,000 bags of newly formulated fertiliser to coffee farmers islandwide.

Dubbed “coffee-lizer,” the product is designed for application to coffee trees for the prevention and correction of soil nutrient deficiency, when used as part of a balanced fertility programme. It is being distributed under the Fertilizer Assistance Supplies and Training (FAST) Programme which was established by the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries last year.

Several bags of the coffee-lizer were symbolically handed over to the Agriculture Ministry during a ceremony at Newport Fersan's Wherry Wharf Complex in Kingston, last Friday.

Portfolio minister Audley Shaw said this fertiliser distribution programme is in keeping with the Government's thrust to rebuild the coffee industry, and noted that the special formulation will help to significantly improve the sector's productivity. Shaw praised Newport Fersan “for the ingenuity in coming up with a fertiliser that is customdesigned for coffee.”

Newport Fersan Managing Director Dennis Valdez said his company is presenting a product that is unique to Jamaica, “just as the flavour profile of our coffee is unique to the world.” “We have seen where coffee-lizer, if used as prescribed, will give you the yields whilst not breaking the bank,” he said. Under the FAST programme, the company was tasked with developing and distributing approximately 321 metric tonnes of coffee-lizer to nine coffee entities which will, in turn, distribute to the coffee farmers. Coffee-lizer was developed over a two-year period.

Beetroot - can be grown at high elevations all year-round or on lowlands with irrigation.

Cabbage - can be grown year-round with irrigation and good pest management.

Carrot - can be grown year-round , but does best in cool months.

Cauliflower - can be grown year-round, but does best in cool months.

Cucumber - grown year-round.

Egg Plant - grown all year-round.

Escellion- can be grown year-round.

Lettuce - grown all year in high elevations.

Okra - grown year-round at low elevations, grown in high areas during hot months.

Onions - August to December.

Pumpkin - grown year-round.

String Beans - grown year-round, although it grows best during cool season or where elevations are high .

Tomato - grown year-round with irrigation.

SEPTEMBER Beetroot - does best during the cool months (September to January) or on lowlands with irrigation.

Cabbage - does best during the cool months (September to January); good pest management essential.

Carrot - does best during the cool months (September to January).

Cantaloupe - September to April.

Cauliflower - does best during the cool months. (September to January).

Celery - does best at high elevations in a cool climate; can be grown at lower elevations during the cool months. (September to January).

Cucumber - grown year-round.

Egg Plant - grown year-round.

Escellion- can be grown year-round.

Lettuce - grown year-round, but especially in cool months (September to January).

Okra - grown year-round at low elevations, grown in high areas during hot months.

Onions - August to December.

Pumpkin - grown all year-round.

Radish - does best during the cool months at high elevations.

Sweet Pepper - does best during the cool months at high elevations.

String Beans - may be planted year-round, but does best during the cool season (September to January).

Tomato - may be planted year-round with irrigation where necessary, requires efficient pest management.

Turnip - cool climate essential and thus turnips grow best at high elevations.

Watermelon - September to April.

Zucchini - begin planting.

OCTOBER Beetroot - does best during cool months of September to January or on lowlands with irrigation.

Cabbage - does best during the cool months.

Cauliflower - does best during the cool months.

Cantaloupe - September to April.

Carrot - does best during the cool months.

Celery - does best at high elevations in a cool climate; can be grown at low elevations during the cool months (September to January).

Cucumber - grown year-round.

Egg Plant - grown year-round.

Escellion- can be grown year-round.

Lettuce - grown year-round, especially in cool months (September to January).

Okra - grown year-round at low elevations, hot months in high areas.

Onion - August to December.

Pumpkin - grown year-round.

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HEALTH & FOOD

Health Care Tips Heat Cramps Symptoms

By GLORIA BENT, MS, RD, CDN Nutritionist

M

uscle pains or spasms usually occur in the abdomen, arms or legs.

Spasms usually occur in coordination with strenuous physical activity.

Home remedies: Rest in a cool place.

Drink clear juice or electrolyte-enriched drinks. Do not go back to strenuous activity even after cramps subside since it may lead to heat exhaustion or heat stroke.

Heat Stroke

H

eat stroke, a severe form of hyperthermia, occurs when the human body absorbs more heat than it can dissipate. This is a serious condition and needs immediate medical attention.

Remedy: It is important to lower the temperature of the body, hence immerse yourself in ice if you have too or take a cold shower. You can prevent heat stroke by wearing loose and light clothes, drink water and do not exert yourself during summer.

Heat Exhaustion Symptoms

H

eavy sweating, weakness, dizziness, headache, nausea, fainting, muscle cramps, fainting.

Home remedies: Rest. Have cool non-alcoholic beverages, a cool shower, bath or sponge bath. Use light clothing.

Skin care: Rosacea osacea symptom is your skin will turn red due to over exposure to the sun and the heat. The redness appears as the excess heat causes the blood vessels to dilate.

Remedy: Avoid direct sunlight. Always use a good sunscreen with SPF 30+ Home remedies: Mix together the juice of six peeled cucumbers, two cups powdered milk and two teaspoons dried lavender flowers.

Apply the above paste directly on the affected areas of the skin.

One cup of the mixture added to lukewarm water can be used as a skin smoothening balm.

R

NUTRICARE Questions & Comments: Gloria.Bent@gmail.com

Benefits of Weight Loss Dehydration Symptoms ry mouth and eyes, dry skin, a condition where sweating nearly stops, muscle cramps, nausea, heart palpitations and light headedness.

Prevention: Re-hydration with water, clear broths, and any other water replacements that contain electrolytes, like Gatorade.

Home remedies: Fluid replacement and control through diet and medication.

Fever medication.

D

Foot Infection

S

weating and humidity can increase your chances of foot infection during summer.

Remedy: There are several anti-bacterial powders available in medical stores.

And scrub your feet and the toes thoroughly to wash off the bacteria. But for dire skin ailment consult a dermatologist.

Summer diet

O

ne must eat cold foods such as watermelon, yogurt, berries and the likes.

Such foods are low in calories and additionally require very little energy for digestion.

Usually such foods taste better when chilled and are therefore traditionally eaten that way. Naturally, eating such chilled low calorie foods feels good in the summer months.

Drinking very chilled liquids is not advisable. Food consumed at extreme temperatures, whether hot or cold, is not appropriate for the body. The body has to work extra in order to get the temperature close to the body temperature. Drinking warm or cool (as opposed to hot and cold) liquids are best suited for the body.

1. Better sleep Snoozing probably helped you lose more weight in the first place, but as a result of your weight loss you’ll actually get better quality sleep now. Research shows that losing 5% of your bodyweight can help you sleep better and longer throughout the night. What’s more, ridding your body of excess fat can also help alleviate sleep apnea and snoring.

2. Better hormonal balance When you think of hormones, your teenage years may spring to mind, but they play a role in more than just your burgeoning sex drive during puberty.

Your thyroid gland makes and releases two very important hormones which regulate your metabolism and can also affect muscle strength among other things.

When you rid your body of excess fat your hormones steady and as a result it’s easier for you to maintain or even further your weight loss.

3. Improved sex drive Too tired? Not anymore. Suddenly you don’t have to think twice about getting in the mood, and you may find yourself consciously holding yourself back from going for round three—hey, you’ve got to get some sleep. According to experts, weight loss has been linked to boosted testosterone levels and an increased libido, and dropping just 10lbs is enough to stimulate sex hormones.

4. Increased sexual performance Between the energy boost you get from losing weight and the uptick in stamina from hours spent at the gym, if you really wanted to go all night you could. Increased physical fitness has been associated with greater satisfaction in the

bedroom.

5. Better mood Committing to the gym may have pushed your body to the place it is now, but it also enhanced your mental fitness. Working out releases feel-good chemicals called endorphins. Endorphins are responsible for that high you feel post-workout. They interact with the receptors in your brain, reducing your perception of pain, and deliver a positive feeling in the body similar to that of morphine.

6. Less joint pain Your joints already take a beating from everyday wear and tear—extra weight hanging around on your midsection only makes matters worse. Simply put, the less you weigh the less your skeletal frame and joints have to support, which translates into less joint pain.

7. Clearer, brighter skin You may have started your healthy routine with the sole intention of slimming down, but an added bonus of your weight-loss journey surfaces in the form of glowing skin. You can attribute your new complexion to the uptick in nutrients from all those fruits and veggies you’re likely eating and also to all that sweat literally pushing the junk out of your pores, encouraging greater detoxification, 8. Stress relief If you checked off losing weight from your to-do list, you’ve already got one less thing to stress about. Really though, the things you do to lose weight—eating a balanced diet, exercising consistently, and getting lots of sleep—are also some of the greatest ways to alleviate stress and anxiety.

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