The Agriculturalist - April-May 2018

VOL. 28 NO. 2 •

APRIL-MAY 2018

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JAS presidential race in high gears

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

T

he race for the presidency of the 123-year-old Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS) is in high gear with two veteran agriculturalists seeking to replace outgoing president Norman Grant.

Just under 500 delegates will vote for a new president and two vice presidents at the JAS annual general meeting scheduled for July 11, 2018, at the Denbigh Showground, May Pen, Clarendon.

A team headed by a former CEO of the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) executive director of Jamaica 4H Clubs and St. Catherine JAS, president, Lenworth Fulton is very active on the ground as farmers, members and other stakeholders are seeking fresh ideas and leadership to help enhance the fortunes of the Society.

Continued on page 4

Audley Shaw, Newly appointed Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries —————————————————————————————————-

Audley Shaw Takes Charge See Page 13

Lenworth Fulton

Glendon Harris

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APRIL-MAY 2018 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • 3

EDITORIAL

Shaw must focus on the significant issues affecting the MICAF H

undreds of farmers and other stakeholders are in support of Prime Minister Andrew Holness recent decision to reshuffle his Cabinet – a move that shifted Minister Audley Shaw to the Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries portfolio.

Former Minister Karl Samuda was a likable minister, but despite his brilliant efforts, the performance of the agriculture and fisheries sector remains lackluster and the outlook for food production was discouraging under his leadership.

A change in the leadership of the sector was therefore always on the list of possible solutions needed to inspire growth and confidence among the stakeholders. With his outstanding performance at the Ministry of Finance, including the stabilization of the Jamaican dollar and the downward movement in inflation and interest rates, Minister Shaw has been hailed as the best choice.

However, agriculture under a super ministry is no easy task with more than 20 other agencies and departments in the industry and commerce portfolio. Minister Shaw will have to work overtime to put agriculture and fisheries on a growth path, without neglecting the other areas of the ministry.

As an industry newspaper, we are putting forward a few suggestions for Minister

PATRICK MAITLAND Publisher - The Agriculturalist patrick@theagriculturalist.com

Shaw to consider for the agricultural and fisheries portfolios.

Firstly, MICAF needs changes its management and operational system. The current methods are old-fashioned as they fail to keep pace with the government's freemarket policy and technological advances.

The Ministry’s outdated management system is driving research into the ground.

The island's agricultural research and development are now over 30 years behind as the government lacks resource-capacity, but

continues to shut out the private sector and academic institutions. MICAF should forage a working partnership with the relevant stakeholders to keep pace with pests and diseases that are contributing significantly to crops and livestock losses.

Take, for example, the Newport Genetics – a state-of-the-art facility involved in the improved breeding of pigs. It is already recording big success in boosting local pork production. These were initiatives undertaken by Dr. Keith Amiel and the Caribbean Broilers Group after years of decline in the genetics of local breeding stock.

Secondly, fixing the human resource capacity of the Ministry is another challenge for Minister Shaw. The Ministry is currently overrun with social scientists with limited space for the agronomists, the pathologists, the environmentalists, the veterinarians and other experts needed to sustain production.

Selection and placement of staff at the Ministry often raise eyebrows as the people with the “best” skill sets and experience are often overlooked for other “preferred” candidates.

Minister Shaw should also focus on the island’s out-of-control food import expenses, which is now at US$850 million.

The indiscriminate issuing of licenses for the importation of food that are competing

unfairly with local production must stop.

Nonetheless, we are encouraged! In an address to the staff at the Ministry, Shaw indicated that he would be boosting agricultural production to cut down on food imports and grow the economy.

On the other hand, nobody knows the status on Jamaican agriculture because no agricultural census has been conducted for the past 10 years. The last Census was done in 2006, but was only published as a preliminary report awaiting the final field verification. We cannot be serious about developing Jamaican agriculture if we don’t know what is in the grounds.

In our observation, most of the issues affecting agriculture could be attributed to wrong management decision and a failure to implement the Agriculture Sector plan under Vision 2030: Jamaica-National Development Plan. More than 10 years into the 21-year program, which is based on a fundamental vision to make “Jamaica the place of choice to live, work, raise families, and do business,” agriculture's increased food contribution is yet to be realized.

We are urging Minister Shaw to surround himself with experienced people who understand agriculture and are committed to achieving success in the sector.

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.

Now is the time to invest in local agriculture N

ow is the time to invest in local agriculture as we at the Agro-Investment Corporation is highlighted a range of investment opportunities in the sector, through the reinvigorated and rebranded Agro-Parks programme.

Agro-Investment is entrusted with the task of promoting large-scale agribusiness investments in Jamaica, which is seen as a critical component of the country’s economic growth and rural development strategy.

As an area of intensive agricultural production that integrates the necessary production, marketing, distribution and quality management infrastructure, the agro-parks are the premium locations for investment in primary agriculture and downstream activities in Jamaica.

The four agro parks that are under the corporations control – Ebony Park and Spring Plains in Clarendon, Amity Hall in St. Catherine and Plantain Garden River in St. Thomas – are outfitted with irrigation and drainage infrastructure, quality management systems (GlobalGAP), farm layout and road networks.

On the business side, these agro parks provide investors with on-site technical support, business facilitation and market linkages offered by a cadre of highly trained and qualified investment officers, farm man-

SYLBURN THOMAS Chief Executive Officer Agro-Investment Corporation sthomas@agroinvest.gov.jm agers, extension officers and supply chain coordinators.

Investment in the agro parks is initially focused on a target list of produce to put a dent in Jamaica's US$840 million food import bill while increasing non-traditional food exports to traditional markets in North America, Europe, Asia and the Caribbean Community to improve the country's food trade balance.

For individual investors, the agro parks reduce the overall investment risk profile, provide a sharing economy for infrastructure, security, insurance, and marketing, while increasing the profit potential of investments.

Among the new projects that are being developed by Agroinvest as part of the agricultural sector modernization as, inter alia: the development of three Agro-Economic Zones in St Catherine, Clarendon and St. Elizabeth, covering almost 6,000 acres of arable lands; a 2,000 acres aquaculture farm and facilities in Elim, St. Elizabeth; livestock agro parks for small ruminants (sheep and goats) to be located predominantly on reclaimed bauxite lands to take advantage of the significant domestic demand; greenhouse agro parks to be clustered and configured to the microclimatic conditions of the target locations; an organic agriculture agro park to enable Jamaican exporters to take enter the growing global demand for organic foods and nutraceuticals; and to work closely with the Cannabis License Authority to develop a modern domestic cannabis industry that leverages local plant genetics, international best practices and local knowledge.

Immediately, the Corporation has over 2,500 acres of lands for lease for agricultural production and will bring another 1,000

acres into arability during 2018 and 5,000 additional acres during 2019 and 2020.

Agro-Invest will continue to work with its partners, such as the National Irrigation Commission; Rural Agricultural Development Authority; JAMPRO and Jamaica Exporters Association to ensure the vision of a modern and sustainable agriculture sector in Jamaica is progressively realized.

Send your press releases and photos editor@theagriculturalist.com

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 • APRIL-MAY 2018

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NEWS JAS presidential race in high gears

New Ministers and State Ministers Sworn in: Governor-General, Patrick Allen (3rd left) and Prime Minister, the Andrew Holness (4th left), with newly appointed Ministers andMinisters of State at a swearing-in ceremony, at King’s House, in St. Andrew, on March 27. They are (from left): State Minister in the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, Xavier Mayne; Minister of State in the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Alando Terrelonge; Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service, Hon. Fayval Williams, and new Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Nigel Clarke. (Photo: JIS)

Obituaries

AGRO-PARK EXPANSION FOR ST. THOMAS: J.C. Hutchinson, Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries (c), addresses farmers at the Yallahs Agro-Park in St. Thomas on April 10. Others from left are Chief Executive Officer, Peter Thompson, and Bevin Dickenson, Parish Manager, both of the Rural Agricultural Development Authority.

• Lloyd Chambers (Class of 1985) who was senselessly and brutally murdered during a gun attack at his home at Windsor Castle in Portland on April 09 2018.

• Kenton Barrett (Class of 1978) on the recent passing of his dear mother, Mrs. Mary Mills-Barrett, on Sunday, April 8, 2018 at the Ann’s Bay Hospital, where she was a patient. The home going service of thanksgiving for the life and work of the late Mrs. Mary Mills-Barrett will be held at the Runaway Bay United Church, Salem, Runaway Bay, St. Ann on Saturday April 21, 2018; commencing at1:00pm.

• Olga McLean-Chambers (Class of 1977), who made the transition to be with her maker on Friday March 09, 2018, in Florida USA where she had gone for the treatment of pancreatic cancer.

• Harvil Payne (Class of 2005) a thanksgiving in his honor was held at the New Testament Church of God, Linstead, St. Catherine on Saturday, March 24, 2018.

Submitted by Webster W. McPherson, J.P. President, CASE Alumni Association, (876 )999-0455; (876) 421-0460

Continued from page 1 Clarendon JAS president, Denton Alvaranga; Manchester JAS President, McArthur Collins and Westmoreland JAS president Owen Dobson are on the “Fulton” team.

Fulton told The Agriculturalist that he was responding to the needs of farmers across the island to save the JAS as the organization’s membership plunged from over 80,000 to less than 3,000 over a 20-year period.

"Without government support, the JAS could not pay its staff or maintain the operations," Fulton noted. "We can do better with proper management and leadership of the organization."

Former Mayor of St James Parish Council and current 2nd vice-president, Glendon Harris, told The Agriculturalist that he was interested in leading the organization for another term following his stint 2009 to 2012.

“With such experience and knowledge of the JAS, I am offering myself to serve the farmers for another three years,” Harris noted.

Harris also noted that while he is yet to finalize his team, outgoing president Grant, who will be completing his third term at the July 11, 2018, annual meeting of the JAS, would not be included on his team. Grant served as 2nd vice-president during Harris’ term as president.

The outgoing president told The Agriculturalist that his focus was not on the endorsement of any candidates. “My focus is to ensure that there is a smooth transition and that the JAS transformation continues to ensure that the JAS continues to be viable and serve the sector and the members and the farmers of Jamaica,” the president noted.

Grant served as JAS president for 12 years in two, three-year terms from 2003 to 2009 and from 2012 to 2018.

Grant said that under his watch as President, the debt of the JAS was reduced from over $200 million, which included an unlisted FINSAC debt of $85 million over the Denbigh showground and $20 million over Compton House, to now $65 million.

“Our surplus went from $300,000 in 2003 and $1.9 million in 2004 to $24 million in 2016 and $8 million in 2017. Our total revenue increased from $48 million in 2003 to $104 million in 2017,” Grant claimed.

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NEWS Andre Biguria (2nd left), Business Unit Director, Westrade; explains use of soluble nutrition products to J.C. Hutchinson Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries (3rd l) at the Duwest Soluble Nutrition Solution launch organised by distributor H&L Agro and was held at Junction Guesthouse Auditorium in St. Elizabeth on March 14.

Others from left are Chief Executive Officer Lloyd Distant Jr. and Deputy CEO Olive Downer Walsh, both of Hardware and Lumber.

Hardware & Lumber launches four soluble fertilizers M

inister without portfolio in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, William JC Hutchinson lauded Hardware & Lumber (H&L) Limited for their commitment in providing crop protection products and nutrition solutions to bolster the country’s capacity to produce adequate and wholesome food.

Speaking at the H&L and DuWest Soluble Crop Nutrition Launch held at the Junction Guest House Auditorium, Junction St. Elizabeth, Minister Hutchinson noted, “Hardware and Lumber through its H&L Agro division has distinguished itself as a company that has always strived for excellence in the quality of products that it provides for its customers.”

“I believe that today’s launch is just another example of Hardware and Lumber’s commitment in ensuring that our farmers are exposed to the best products available to improve their production and profitability,” added Minister Hutchinson.

Through its partnership with DuWest Caribbean, manufacturer of crop protection products since 1963, H&L Agro introduced four soluble crop nutrition line of fertilizers namely Solu Feed, Garden Feed, Liquid Feed and Multi Feed, that will help to stimulate the comprehensive growth of fruits and vegetables produced locally.

Solu Feed is a 100% water-soluble mineral compound designed for horticulture crops and boasts a formula packed with primary soil nutrients including Nitrogen, Phosphorus Potassium, Magnesium and Sulphur, Initial Development; Development, Flowering and Ripening. Garden Feed, a completely concentrated soluble fertilizer, contains every mineral element that improves the growth and development of garden plants.

Liquid Feed is a highly concentrated liquid formulae for use in fertigation and fo-

liar aspersion system which boosts crop quality while Multi Feed is equipped with variety of nutritional balances for diverse types of crops. Each product in the smart crop nutrition line perfectly guides the plant through all stages of its development due to their high concentration and easy application to the soil and foliage.

In commenting on the partnership with DuWest to introduce the new soluble lines of fertilizers, Olive Downer Walsh, Deputy CEO, H&L noted that H&L Agro is always seeking to meet consumer demand for improving crop quality.

“Farmers, agro-industrial companies and retailers rely on H&L Agro for premium products to meet their farming needs therefore identifying and providing access to superior crop protection products and nutrition solutions to our local market is a critical business imperative,” she said. “We are grateful to have partners such as DuWest that brings world-class science to the formulation of innovative agriculture solutions through its experience in serving thousands of small, medium and large sized farms across Central America, South America and the Caribbean.”

More than 80 farmers, store operators, officers of Ministry of Industry, Commerce Agriculture and Fisheries and Rural Agricultural Development Authority and other stakeholders were in attendance at the launch and were engaged in a fertilizer education session conducted by DuWest Executives and agronomists Alvaro Corzo, Technical Manager and Hiram Mercado, Technical Lead.

“The suite of compact fertilizers launched today are the result of 25 years of research and development in finding the best formula to suit a wide range of crops,” share Alvaro Corzo.

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NEWS

Shaw Launches National Farmers’ Month I

ndustry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries Minister, Audley Shaw, has called on small farmers to be ready to partner with larger farmers in an effort to increase their productivity.

The larger farmers have access to technology that Minister Shaw is hoping to tap under a mother farm/partner farm model to move the industry ahead.

“There is a lot of interest in agriculture in Jamaica from large and small farmers,” Minister Shaw said, noting discussions with the head of a major private sector, agro-industry player that is currently seeking 3,000 to 5,000 acres of land to operate a mother farm.

Additionally, the company is looking to splinter five to 10-acre plots to small farmers who will leverage the technological base of the mother farm to maximise their output.

Describing the 220,000 small farmers as “unsung heroes”, Minister Shaw, who was speaking at the launch of the 35th anniversary of

Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Audley Shaw, speaking at the launch of the 35th anniversary of Farmers’ Month, held at the headquarters of the Jamaica Agricultural Society(JAS) in Kingston today (April 4). From left are Norman Grant, President; and 1st Vice-President, Donald Berry, both of JAS.

Farmers’ Month at the Jamaica Agricultural Society’s headquarters in Kingston on April 4, also stressed the need for increased productivity, better cultural practices, and care and nurturing of the soil.

Minister Shaw lauded the performance of our local farmers in that, as a country, we are able to feed ourselves. Local farmers, he said, produce all the vegetables we consume and nearly all the tubers.

National Farmers’ Month Celebrations

T

he Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS) will celebrate the 35th Annual National Farmers’ Month during the month

of April 2018 under the theme “Grow what we eat...eat what we Grow”.

The month has been earmarked to recognize our farmers, the hardworking, persistent and selfless people who con-

tinue to provide for our basic resources and must be saluted for their invaluable contribution in the development of this nation. Among the proposed schedule of the month’s activities are the following: The Official Launch was held on Wednesday, April 4, 2018, at the JAS Head Office, 67 Church Street, Kingston.

There will also be a series of activities within the parishes with the main focus of highlighting the importance of our farmers to national development.

The National Thanksgiving Ecumenical Service which is scheduled for Sunday, April 15, 2018, at the Morant Bay New Testament Church of God, 68 Church Street, Morant Bay, St.Thomas.

-Jamila Francis – Public Relations Officer-JAS

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APRIL-MAY 2018 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • 7

NEWS Everton Hanson appointed Director General of JACRA

F

ormer CEO of the World Bank’s Caribbean Climate Innovation Centre Everton Hanson has been appointed the first Director General of the recently established Jamaica Agricultural Commodities Regulatory Authority–JACRA effective April 3, 2018.

With over twenty-five years experience in general and financial management, agriculture, environmental matters, and entrepreneurship, Hanson was the favorite from among several other candidates vying for the top post to guide the establishment of JACRA which comprised the merger of coffee, coconut, cocoa and the island’s major commodity boards His educational background includes an Associates of Science degree in general agriculture from the former Jamaica School of Agriculture, a Bachelor of Science Degree in Agriculture from the University of the West Indies, an MBA in Finance from Georgia State University, Atlanta, USA and a Certificate in Project Finance from Harvard University, USA. A first-class manager, a dynamic team leader with sharp critical thinking and problem-solving abilities, Hanson is also a Certified Public Accountant (CPA).

Hugh Graham - General Manager of H&L Agro

E

EVERTON HANSON Director General, Jamaica Agricultural Commodities Regulatory Authority

Currently a member of the Provisional Committee/National Board of the National People’s Co-operative Bank of Jamaica Limited, a financial institution that focuses primarily on the agricultural sector.

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nvironmental specialist and former CEO of Jamaica Dairy Development Board Hugh Graham was appointed the general manager of H&L Agro effective March 5.

Graham is a graduate of the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus with a Bachelor of Science degree in general agriculture and the University of Reading, England with the Master of Science in environmental development and the College of Agriculture Science and Education (CASE) with an Associates of Science degree in agriculture.

H&L Agro is Jamaica's leading distributor and retailer of agricultural inputs.

Major product lines for this division include pesticides, fertilizers, vegetable seeds, animal feeds, home garden items, farm equipment, plants, orchids, roses, etc.

The primary target market for this division includes farmer’s home gardeners and grow-it-yourselfers.

HUGH GRAHAM General Manager, H&L Agro

Jamaica Dairy Board gets new CEO L ivestock specialist and research director at the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture, and Fisheries (MICAF) Dean H. Avril has been seconded to the Jamaican Dairy Development Board as CEO, effective March 1.

Avril is a St. Lucian national residing in Jamaica, who entered the MICAF in May of 2016. He was assigned to the Research and Development Division as a Senior Research Officer and subsequently a Senior Research Director.

Avril is a graduate of the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus with a Bachelor of Science degree in general agriculture and the Master of Philosophy in livestock science.

He is an active researcher with areas of interests including, organic dewormers for ruminants, and technology application in agriculture and livestock development for Caribbean states. He is also a martial artist and serves as the technical director for the Shotokan Karate Academy of Jamaica.

DEAN H. AVRIL, CEO Jamaican Dairy Development Board He replaced Hugh Graham who was recently appointed the General manager of H&L Agro.

‘St. Bess Breadfruit and Rum Festival 2018’ sets for July 1.

T

he 3rd staging of St. Bess Breadfruit and Rum Festival will be held on Sunday, July 1, 2018 at the Appleton Estate Sports Complex. It will be a Family funfilled event.

According to the event manager Sancia L. Brooks “we are seeking the

support of the public as we promote the Nassau Valley community which has great economic potential for entertainment, filming, sports and community tourism.�

For further information contact Sancia 348-5330 or sancbro@hotmail.com.

8 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • APRIL-MAY 2018

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APRIL-MAY 2018 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • 9

NEWS

Jamaica Can Benefit from Reduced Food Imports

By Garwin Davis, JIS ational Irrigation Commission (NIC) Chairman, Senator Aubyn Hill, says the agriculture sector stands to benefit significantly from a reduction in Jamaica’s food imports bill, which averages approximately US$850 million.

Addressing an NIC customer appreciation day function at the Braco irrigation district office in Trelawny on April 11, he argued that any percentage of savings that can be realised, “we could put into enhancing the sector”.

“If 30 per cent of that can go for grains for chicken… or pigs… we could immediately make a difference. We must get to the place where that US$850 million is not going overseas but is being used right here in Jamaica on our farms.

National Irrigation Commission (NIC) Chairman, Senator Aubyn Hill, says the agriculture sector stands to benefit significantly from a reduction in Jamaica’s food imports bill, which averages approximately US$850 million.

Addressing an NIC customer appreciation day function at the Braco irrigation district office in Trelawny on April 11, he argued that any percentage of savings that can be realised, “we could put into enhancing the sector”.

N

Seprod to acquire Facey Consumer

S

National Irrigation Commission chairman, Senator Aubyn Hill (l) presents a scholarship letter to a high school student at the Commission’s customer appreciation day function at the Braco irrigation district office in Trelawny on April 11.

“If 30 per cent of that can go for grains for chicken… or pigs… we could immediately make a difference. We must get to the place where that US$850 million is not going overseas but is being used right here in Jamaica on our farms. “That is the mindset I want us to have… (to) eat what we grow and grow what we eat. Let’s produce and take it to our hotels. Tourism

is all about linkages and the linkage between tourism and agriculture is being created,” he stated.

Senator Hill, who is also Executive Director of the Economic Growth Council, welcomed the increased number of women involved in farming, noting that the sector has tremendous potential for persons to make a decent livelihood.

eprod Limited has announced that it has reached an agreement pursuant to which it will acquire Facey Group Limited's consumer business Facey Consumer.

Facey Consumer consists solely of Facey Group Limited's distribution of consumer goods and pharmaceutical products in Jamaica.

Seprod's board unanimously approved the terms of the acquisition which includes paying a mix of cash and shares to acquire Facey Consumer consistent with an independent valuation.

The closing of the transaction remains subject to definitive legal documentation, corporate actions and the satisfaction of customary closing conditions among other things.

Following the anticipated closing of the transaction later this year, Seprod expects the acquisition to increase earnings and cash flow on a per share basis.

Strengthening its distribution platform is a strategic priority for Seprod.

Agro-Invest is responsible for planning, organising, directing and monitoring activities aimed at promoting, creating, developing and supporting viable and sustainable agricultural and agribusiness industries. The development of bankable business plans will be facilitated by us in a bid to assist small to medium sized type investors in accessing requisite funds. A part of our business facilitation services is to `walk’ the potential investor through all stages of the investment process, leading up to the implementation of the projects. Agro-Invest provides investment advice, business counselling; technical and marketing support services; and prepares business plans and proposals for submission to the appropriate institutions to access grant, loan or venture capital funding.

Sylburn L. Thomas Chief Executive Officer, Agro-Investment Corporation AMC Complex, 188 Spanish Town Road, Kingston 11, Jamaica, W.I. Tel: 1 876 764 8071; 1 876 923 9268; 876 923 0086; 876 923 9261; Fax: 1 876 758 7160 Email: info@agroinvest.gov.jm • www.agroinvest.gov.jm

10 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • APRIL-MAY 2018

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APRIL-MAY 2018 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • 11

RADA NEWS

RADA St. James Parish Extension Staff along with Glenville Hall, Zonal Director (West) and Sadie Dixon Bennet, Parish Agricultural Manager, (7th l) at the recent reopening of the Content Area Extension Office in St. James.

RADA Content Area Extension Office Reopened

A

spirit of togetherness and a sense of accomplishment filled the air at the reopening of the Content Area Extension Office in St. James on January 25.. Farmers and community members joined forces with the RADA St. James Extension Staff to refurbish the office in a record time period of three months by volunteering with labour and building supplies.

A welcomed move for over 900 farmers in the Adelphi, Goodwill , Palmyra, Lilliput, Eden Vale, Spot Valley, Blitheston, Paisley, Chatham and Mount Zion Districts that will be serviced by this Extension Office.

Already plans are in place for the use of the Office as a working resource centre providing relevant trainings to increase productivity and demonstration plots practically showing agricultural best practices.

During the Re-Opening Ceremony testimonials were given of individuals and teams that worked tirelessly based on the need to have the RADA Area Office back to full functionality after over 15 years. A true demonstration of Parish initiative and teamwork with farmers at its best.

We certainly look forward to great achievements for the RADA Content Area Extension in St. James.

RADA CEO, Peter Thompson at drone training in Paris

Use of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) – Drone for Extension Delivery in Jamaica

U

nmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) – or drones – have the tremendous potential to assist farmers to become more productive, sustainable and profitable by making some of the tools for precision agriculture more readily accessible to them.

Whether the producers have large, medium-scale holdings or associations of small-scale farmers growing the same crop in contiguous areas, the UAS are applicable and can help to substantially increase returns to farmers.

Recognising these opportunities, during 2016-2017 period, the Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation ACPEU (CTA) has initiated a series of activities including training, networking and support to the acquisition of equipment so that new UAS providers can service farmers and farmers’ organisations within their respective countries.

RADA was a main beneficiary of the Programme as its Chief Executive Officer, Peter Thompson participated in hands-on training on the operation of an unmanned aerial system (UAS) service enterprise, the

utilization of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), UAV governance and related analytical systems.

Following the training, RADA had undertaken the following activities: o Knowledge- sharing with a cluster of technical officers and operational manual used for guiding exploratory flights; o In December 2017, the Drone Unit was established within RADA, and currently based in ICT Department. Standard Operating procedures (SOP) were established for use of drone.. o RADA is currently leading activities in exploring drone flights under the local conditions and obtaining imageries from various crops.

This will provide baseline information, which will be used to define specific areas of focus for 1-3 years for use of drone for enhancing extension delivery.

Future Considerastions: o Use of drone as one of the tools for crop insurance, with focus on vegetation index. o Use of images for Land Husbandry interventions, especially in water shed areas.

Sharon Farquharson – Senior Social Services & Home Economics Officer, RADA during a recent tour of the St. James Incubator at the St. James Processing Fair.

RADA’s Social Services/Home Economics Unit has the main aim of advancing the social and economic well-being of the rural farm family through practical knowledge transfer, and improvement in their competencies and skills.

12 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • APRIL-MAY 2018

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COMMUNITY PHOTOS Increased Crop Productivity Through Proper Fertilizer Use: Managing Director, Jamaica Floral Products Limited, Burrell Scarlett (left), explains how a Bluelab Combo Meter works to Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Audley Shaw, during a tour at the Evergrow Fertilizer Seminar, under the theme: Increased Crop Productivity through Proper Fertilizer Use, held at the Caymanas Golf and Country Club, St. Catherine, on April 11, 2018. The aim of the seminar was to reinforce the importance of the effective use of fertilizers to increase crop production and productivity.

ALL EYES ON THE LADY OF FERSAN: Hedda Rose Pitter Business Development Manager Newport-Fersan (Jamaica) Limited (3rd l) gets the attention of Andrew Holness Prime Minister of Jamaica (8th l) and José Graziano da Silva, Director General, FAO, (6th l), Margarita Cedeño, Constitutional Vice-President of the Dominican Republic Special Ambassador of the Food & Agriculture Organization (FAO), (5th l), during a tour of the exhibition at the opening ceremony of the 35th Session of the FAO Regional Conference for Latin America and Caribbean held at the Montego Bay Convention Centre in Rose Hall, St. James, on March 7.. Others in photo are Donovan stanberry, Permanent Secretary Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries; Dennis Valdez, managing director, Joan Sharpe Colley, Marketing Coordinator both of Newport-Fersan (Jamaica) Limited.

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APRIL - MAY 2018 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • 13

Newly appointed Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries:

Audley Shaw Takes Charge

By Patrick Maitland The Agriculturalist Writer ————————————he Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries (MICAF) has a new head. Audley Shaw, former Minister of Finance and Public Service, took control of MICAF following Prime Minister Andrew Holness’ reshuffling of his Cabinet and his executive.

Shaw, a six-term Member of Parliament for North East Manchester, said he was honored to now lead MICAF. Following months of speculations, a press release dated March 25 from the office of the Prime Minister announced the reshuffling which included the transfer of Karl Samuda from MICAF to the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation.

“I am looking forward to enabling Jamaican entrepreneurs to transform their business ideas into dynamic enterprises that will create innovative products, job opportunities, prosperity…and advance the whole human race,” Shaw told his Twitter followers.

According to Shaw, the imperative for the country is economic growth and job creation, which is the government's priority.

"Anywhere I am assigned, production and growth is our mandate and our only path to prosperity. Industry agriculture, agro-industry and manufacturing are the major driving forces for wealth creation,” he added.

The Minister also said his primary focus would include investment promotion and facilitation of financing of small and medium-sized businesses.

Efficient land utilization and technol-

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AUDLEY SHAW, 65 Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries

ogy are also essential elements. "This is a new challenge for us, and I look forward to working with my colleague ministers and the prime minister to transform Jamaica into an engine of growth, increased productivity and wealth creation for all Jamaicans,” Minister Shaw said.

Shaw said that in addition to a considerable number of government departments and agencies that already fall under the MICAF, he would also have ministerial responsibilities for JAMPRO, the National Irrigation Commission, the Agricultural Investment Corporation, and the EXIM Bank.

Norman Grant, president of the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS), said he welcomes the appointment of Shaw and signaled that he would be seeking an early meeting with the Minister to discuss a framework of cooperation, partnership, support and transformational activities that can allow the agricultural sector to flourish.

“The JAS believes that the agricultural sector is the lifeblood of the Jamaican economy and one of the pillars upon which sustained economic growth can be achieved while transforming the lives of our farmers and farm families,” Grant observed in a press release.

Chairman of the All-Island Jamaica Cane Farmers Association, Allen Rickards, said his organization also looks forward to working with Minister Shaw. He added that Minister of Finance, Dr. Nigel Clarke, would be as supportive to the sector as Shaw in his previous capacity.

After a very volatile relationship with Minister Samuda, Minister without Portfolio J.C. Hutchinson continues to serve in the Ministry.

Who is Audley Shaw?

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udley Shaw is a veteran politician who was re-elected Member of Parliament for North East Manchester for a sixth term in the General Elections of February 25, 2016 and was re-appointed Minister of Finance and the Public Service and previously served in the post from 2007 to 2012 under the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) administration.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness reshuffled his Cabinet effective March 26, and shifted Minister Shaw to the Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries Ministry.

Shaw was born in Christiana, Manchester on June 13, 1952. He attended the Christiana Leased Junior School, Knox College and Holmwood Technical High School in Manchester. He first worked with the Jamaica Milk Products as a Laboratory Technician.

He then worked with the Jamaica Movement for the Advancement of Literacy (JAMAL Movement) as Area Literacy Officer for North East Manchester and as Zone Officer for St. Andrew.

In 1981, Shaw graduated from Northern Illinois University (NIU) with the Bach-

elor of Arts and Master of Arts Degrees in Journalism with graduate studies in Marketing, Finance and Public Relations. He is the recipient of the Donald R. Grubb NIU distinguished Alumni Award.

Shaw joined the Chicago Office of Burson-Marseller (a Public Relations Consultancy firm) in 1981 as Client Executive, and later put that experience to work when he joined the Jamaica National Investment Promotion Limited (JNIP) later named JAMPRO and now renamed Jamaica Trade and Invest, as Director for Public Relations and Advertising.

Between 1983 and 1986 Shaw was responsible for JNIP’s Marketing and Overseas Offices. This gave him responsibility worldwide with offices in the United States, Canada, Japan, Hong Kong and the United Kingdom.

During this period many new investments came to Jamaica, employing thousands of people all across the country.

In 1986 Shaw resigned his position with Government and became a Merchant and Marketing Consultant. In widening his scope to the political sphere he joined the JLP in

1987 and was appointed to the Senate in 1989 and he served as Shadow Minister of Information and Culture, Shadow Minister of Public Utilities and Transport as well as Shadow Minister of Industry and Commerce.

In March 1993, Shaw was first elected Member of Parliament for North East Manchester. In September 1995 he was appointed Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament – the watchdog of expenditure of public funds by Government Ministries and Agencies.

In 2013 Mr. Shaw was conferred with Jamaica’s national award of the Commander of the Order of Distinction in the field of public service.

In the General Elections of February 25, 2016, Shaw was re-elected Member of Parliament for North East Manchester for a sixth term and re-appointed Minister of Finance and the Public Service under the JLP administration.

Audley Shaw was born: June 13, 1952 (age 65), Christiana, Jamaica

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APRIL-MAY 2018 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • 15

INTERNATIONAL NEWS FAO chief sounds the alarm on obesity in Latin America and the Caribbean Montego Bay, Jamaica: AO Director-General Jose Graziano da Silva urged governments around Latin America and the Caribbean to keep the fight against hunger at the top of their policy agendas, calling also for a “radical transformation” of food systems to combat the spreading scourge of overweight and obesity.

“Eradicating hunger must not be our only concern… in a region where 7 percent of children under the age of five are overweight and 20 percent of adults in 24 countries are obese,” he said in opening remarks to the 35th FAO Regional Conference for Latin America and the Caribbean.

For the first time ever, all 33 countries of the region are attending the three-day meeting, which ends Thursday.

“We need to create really sustainable food systems in which production, trade, transport and consumption combine to guarantee a really nutritional food intake,” Graziano da Silva said, recalling that Sustainable Development Goal 2 emphasizes the need to eradicate all forms of malnutrition.

“Eating fresh locally-grown produce in place of highly-processed foods is fundamental,” he added.

Overweight and obesity constitute a “global epidemic” today and is spreading in developed and developing countries alike, the Director-General said.

Worldwide, some 1.9 billion adults are overweight and 650 million obese, according to FAO’s data. The situation is especially worrying in Latin America, where 96 million adults are obese.

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Jose Graziano da Silva FAO Director-General Hunger persists but its eradication is possible Latin America and the Caribbean set an example when, in 2015, it became the first region in the world to achieve the two international hunger-reduction goals, Graziano da Silva recalled.

However, the number of people suffering from undernutrition in the region has since risen to 42.5 million from 40 million,

according to the Panorama of Food and Nutritional Security in Latin America and the Caribbean 2017.

Despite that disturbing setback, FAO’s Director-General expressed conviction that the same political will that led to the earlier achievements will allow the recent reversal to be overcome.

Countries should continue crafting more inclusive social, economic and productive policies, and on legal frameworks and governance systems necessary to assure progress towards food security for all.

“This is essential for the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States to deliver on their pledge to achieve Zero Hunger in 2025,” Graziano da Silva said.

He welcomed the successful work of Parliamentary Fronts against Hunger, established in 19 countries around the region.

More social protection and stronger family farming sectors A combination of social protection measures along with initiative aimed at strengthening family farming, which can generate local development and enable more vibrant economic territories, is crucial to reduce rural poverty and combat the various forms of malnutrition, the DirectorGeneral said in his speech.

He urged governments to take advantage of the Decade of Family Farming recently proclaimed by the United Nations and starting in 2019 with the goal of drawing more attention to the people who produce more than 80 percent of the world’s food and yet, paradoxically, are often the most vulnerable to hunger.

Now, farmers need ‘prescription slips’ from agricultural officers to buy pesticides H HYDERABAD, USA: enceforth, dealers will sell pesticides and fertilizers to farmers only upon producing ‘prescription slips’ on the lines of doctor’s prescription demanded by medical shops to buy drugs. Agriculture extension officers have been asked to issue slips to farmers to buy pesticides based on their requirements.

The agriculture department has also decided to aware farmers about the ill-effects of chemical pesticides and discourage their use.

“There are 8,513 dealers of fertilizers and pesticides in Telangana. While 7,878 shops are in the private sector, 635 shops are being run by cooperatives. All of them have been told not to sell pesticides to the farmers without verifying slips,” Mohan Reddy, deputy director, agriculture, said.

When contacted, agriculture commissioner M Jagan Mohan said all the extension officers have been asked to give prescription slips to farmers for buying pesticides. Dealers have been instructed to strictly implement the orders.

“All the agriculture officers will also be trained,” the commissioner said.

Good move to curb misuse especially adulterated ones. But there is bound to be some ha-

rassment as docs with greasy palms will ask cash to give out the prescriptions as is common with fake medical cer.

Official statistics say a whopping 37 lakh hectares of the total 40 lakh hectares farmland is under the influence of both chemical and biopesticides. The agriculture land alone consumes 5,000 metric tonnes (MTs) of pesticides. Of the 37 lakh hectares under pesticide usage, chemical pesti-

cides are used in 31 lakh hectares and bio-pesticides in the remaining land.

“While the highest consumption is for cereals (2,000 MTs), vegetables and fruits (1,000 MTs) are not too far behind. Farmers use 700 MTs a year for commercial crops such as cotton. The remaining pesticide is consumed on oilseeds, pulses,” a senior agriculture official said. In 2017-18, 4,943 MTs of pesticides were consumed in both kharif and rabi seasons. Of the total consumption, chemical pesticides accounted for 4,866 MTs and 77 MTs for bio-pesticides, the deputy director said.

Get latest news & live updates on the go on your pc with News App. Download The Times of India news app for your device. Read more City news in English and other languages.

To offset tariffs, USDA may buy farm products

By Chuck Abbott hina threatened to put 25% tariffs on U.S. farm exports “because they think it hits me,” President Trump said on Monday, but “we’ll make it up to them (farmers) and, in the end, they’re going to be much stronger than they are now.”

Deputy Agriculture Secretary Steve Censky, at a separate appearance, said the USDA was considering options that include purchase of surplus commodities to prop up prices.

“We have broad powers there,” said Censky to the North American Agricultural Journalists. Trump instructed the USDA last week to draft a plan to shield farmers and ranchers from the impact of Chinese tariffs. Censky said, “We are looking at all of those” options, but USDA has not settled on particulars.

Producers could be aided in a variety of ways by USDA. Grain, soybean, and cotton growers benefit from crop subsidies, which usually are triggered by falling market prices. Livestock producers do not have similar programs that provide assistance directly. The so-called Section 32 program buys excess commodities for donation. The USDA also buys goods for distribution through school nutrtion programs. And the department has broad authority to create programs and spend money through its Commodity Credit Corp, often called USDA’s bank.

Trump, at a cabinet meeting, called farmers “great patriots” and said “we’ll make it up to them and, in the end, they’re going to be much stronger than they are now.”

China announced 25% tariffs on U.S. pork in response to U.S. duties on imported steel and aluminum. It then said it would put 25% tariffs on U.S. soybeans, corn, wheat, cotton, sorghum, beef, and orange juice, as well as tobacco and whiskey, as countermeasures to $50 billion in proposed tariffs on its high-technology exports. The White House says its tariffs will punish China for theft of intellectual property.

The tit-for-tat tariffs have yet to take effect and by some estimates will not be implemented for a couple of months or more. The U.S. trade representative’s office plans a May 11 hearing on the hightech tariffs with posthearing comments accepted until May 22. USDA intends to be ready with an aid program when it is needed, said Censky.

As the cabinet meeting opened, Trump said the U.S. “probably” would reach agreement with China but warned “they’ll have to pay pretty high taxes to do business with our country” if there is no agreement.

“We’re fairly close on NAFTA, and if we don’t make the right deal, we’ll terminate NAFTA and we’ll make the right deal after that,” said Trump. “But we have a chance to make a deal on NAFTA.

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16 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • APRIL-MAY 2018

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Some Key Issues in Livestock Improvement • In animal breeding, practitioners select the animals that are on average superior to the present generation of animals.

• Natural selection (selection by nature) is very important for the adaptation of animals to the circumstances they are kept.

• An important perquisite to the success of animal breeding is that traits are heritable, meaning that these traits have the ability to be passed on from parent to offspring.

• Domestication of species is greatly influenced by characteristics deemed important to humans, and which are genetically determined (traits). This is an ongoing process due to new requirements caused by changing circumstances.

• Selective animal breeding began 250 years ago with the formation of breeds and herd books. The scientific basis for animal breeding was formulated in the 20th century. Application of scientific developments in reproduction in the past 50 years made animal breeding more effective in generating genetic improvement in livestock species.

• Breeding activities are directly influenced by, and are related to, developments in society: required food production by animals and requirements by mankind for animals as companion and leisure purposes.

• Breeding programmes with cattle, pigs and poultry yielded sharp increases in the quantity of milk, meat and eggs.

For further information contact:

JAMAICA DAIRY DEVELOPMENT BOARD Hope Gardens, Kingston 6 Tel: (876) 618-7107 • Fax (876) 977-9230 • Email: dairyboard@micaf.gov.jm

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APRIL-MAY 2018 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • 17

TECHNOLOGY

Researchers seek to control pests & diseases in bananas

By Wycliffe Sebunya he European Union in partnership with agricultural researchers kick start a four year project intended to improve the quality and production of banana in the country.

Banana is among Uganda’s priority crop but productivity has been low with only 10 million tones of bananas produced annually The 4 million euro Microbial Uptakes for Sustainable Management of major banana pests and diseases project will be rolled out by the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture.

Speaking during the launch of the MUSA 2020 project at Forest Cottages in Kampala, Ronny Swennen Banana Breeder at IITA said they will identify micro-organisms and evaluate in the field their interactions with selected banana lines and identify main genes involved in driving tolerant responses.

Swennen noted that the interventions to be done will help in improving banana production in the country.

For his part, Danny Coyne, an IITA Soil specialist warned that due to climate change, pests and diseases are bound to increase hence affect the banana plantations.

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Banana researchers in Kenya’s Biobest - a partner of the EU-sponsored Horizon 2020 project, ‘Microbial uptakes for sustainable management of major banana pests and diseases’ (MUSA).

Dicamba pesticide could push monarch butterflies to extinction (Natural News) ver the course of the next year, more than 60 million acres of the monarch butterfly’s natural habitat are expected to be sprayed with dicamba herbicide. The shocking report from the Center for Biological Diversity, a U.S. environmental group, explains that the widespread use of this toxin spells big trouble for the butterflies. The report indicates that monarch butterflies will be at serious risk of extinction under dicamba’s reign.

This grim news comes on the heels of the release of dicamba-resistant GMO crops, developed by the world’s most hated company, Monsanto.

DowDupont and BASF SE have also created dicamba-resistant crops. Who else would be behind the extinction of monarch butterflies besides the biotech industry?

What is dicamba and why is it such a massive threat?

As Modern Farmer explains, dicamba is an herbicide intended to target broad-leaf weeds, rather than weeds from the grass family. Typically, it’s used alongside other pesticides and herbicides, like glyphosate — which surely makes for the ultimate toxic chemical cocktail.

Dicamba “works” by imitating natural plant hormones, leading to unnatural growth and eventual death. Dicamba is considered to be more toxic than glyphosate, but less toxic than some other common herbicides like 2,4-D.

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One thing that makes dicamba especially problematic is its capacity to drift. In the past, dicamba has only been applied to soil pre-season to reduce its ability to spread beyond the intended area. Now Monsanto and their brethren have developed dicambaresistant crops — prompting more spraying of the drift-prone herbicide.

With its tendency to drift, the Center for Biological Diversity estimates that an additional 9 million acres of land will be contaminated with dicamba — on top of the 60 million acres that will be sprayed directly.

In 2017, dicamba-resistant GMO crops were planted on some 25 million acres of farmland — and the weed killer drifted far and wide. And as the Center’s report revealed, “In 2017 there were reports of at least 3.6 million acres of off-target, herbicide-induced damage to agricultural crops and an unknown amount of damage to native plants and habitats, including forests.”

Monarch butterflies put at risk Monarch butterfly populations have been decreasing steadily for the last 20 years. In fact, their numbers have dropped by 80 percent during the last two decades.

This alone should be cause for alarm, but now, Big Ag is looking to spray their migratory habitat with yet another toxin — which is sure to be a recipe for further endangerment, if not flat-out extinction.

18 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • APRIL-MAY 2018

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NOTICE The All-Island Banana Growers’ Association invites members/banana farmers and the public to their Annual General Meeting to be held on

April 24, 2018 at 10 am on St. Mary Anglican Church Hall Port Maria, St. Mary Serving the banana farmers of Jamaica

Serving the banana farmers AIBGA Ripening Rooms The AIBGA’s ripening rooms are located at Pembroke Hall, St. Mary; Kensington, St. James and Fellowship, Portland.

We ripen bananas and other fruits.

AIBGAFarm Stores A leading provider of farm inputs, marked by superior price and quality.

Fellowship, Portland - 913-5630 • Reach, Portland • Kensington, St James - 5511784 • Gayle, St Mary - 551-1790 • Trinity, St Mary - 551-1787; 994-9864

All Island Banana Growers Association 10 South Avenue, Kingston Gardens Tel: 922-5497 967-3160 • Fax: 967-3160 support@aibga.info • aibga@cwjamaica.com www.aibga.info

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APRIL-MAY 2018 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • 19

ORGANIC AGRICULTURE

New organic banana brand targets UK and France Dominican Republic: ruit importer Allfresch is set to receive the first shipment of its new premium organic banana brand Mibio from the Dominican Republic.

Mibio is the result of new quality controls at source to counter the frequent tropical storms that affect the Dominican Republic every year, the company said.

The first shipment is due to arrive into Dover in the next couple of weeks and is being offered primarily to customers in the UK and France, with plans to expand across Europe later in the year.

“Over the past several years, working with key suppliers in Dominican Republic the group have developed a

very good understanding of the challenges producers and exporters face every year on the island,” a statement from the group said.

“With this experience and knowledge, tighter controls have been implemented at the most critical stages of the supply chain.

“Working with our selected producers and strengthening controls at source we believe that we can maintain the premium reputation that the brand has been designed for."

Mibio organic bananas are sourced from leading producer associations in Dominican Republic and are certified by organic, Fairtrade and Global G.A.P certification bodies.

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Organic bananas from the Dominican Republic have a new brand

JOAM/EFJ AGROFORESTRY/BEEKEEPING PROJECT: Trainer Oronde McNish (seated) with members of the first cohort of beekeeper trainees. The training was part of the Environmental Foundation of Jamaica (EFJ) funded agroforestry/beekeeping project which is being conducted in St Thomas and Portland. The project which is being managed by Jamaica Organic Agriculture Movement (JOAM) includes planting of nectar bearing species, following organic principles, provide beekeeping equipment and train beekeepers in climate smart natural beekeeping. The project started in July 2017 and will end in June 2020.

UN REPORT:

Land degradation threatens human well-being and biodiversity Source: www.globalagriculture.org and degradation is threatening the wellbeing of 3.2 billion people worldwide, pushing the planet towards a sixth mass species extinction, a major UN-backed report has warned. By 2050, land degradation and climate change together are predicted to reduce crop yields by an average of 10% globally and could force up to 700 million people to migrate.

According to the comprehensive global IPBES assessment adopted on March 26 by the 129 member governments of the independent intergovernmental body, the main drivers of land degradation are human activities, mainly agriculture. “Rapid expansion and unsustainable management of croplands and grazing lands is the most extensive global direct driver of land degradation, causing significant loss of biodiversity and

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ecosystem services – food security, water purification, the provision of energy and other contributions of nature essential to people.

Land degradation reduces crop yields

This has reached ‘critical’ levels in many parts of the world,” IPBES said in a press release. Land degradation cost the equivalent of about 10% of the world’s annual GDP in 2010 through the loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services, the authors found.

The report, written by more than 100 leading experts from 45 countries in three years of work, was adopted in Medellín, Colombia. It draws on over 3,000 scientific, government, indigenous and local knowledge sources and was extensively peer-reviewed.

According to the authors, the underlying drivers of land degradation are the high-consumption lifestyles in the most developed economies, combined with rising consumption in developing and emerging economies.

“High and rising per capita consumption, amplified by continued population growth in many parts of the world, can drive unsustainable levels of agricultural expansion, natural resource and mineral extraction, and urbanization – typically leading to greater levels of land degradation,” IPBES warns.

Crop and grazing lands now cover more than one third of the Earth´s land surface, with recent clearance of native habitats, in-

cluding forests, grasslands and wetlands, being concentrated in some of the most species-rich ecosystems on the planet.

By 2014, more than 1.5 billion hectares of natural ecosystems had been converted to croplands. Less than 25% of the Earth’s land surface has escaped substantial impacts of human activities.

The IPBES experts project that this figure will have fallen to less than 10% by 2050.

“Wetlands have been particularly hard hit,” said Dr Luca Montanarella, co-chair of the assessment. “We have seen losses of 87% in wetland areas since the start of the modern era – with 54% lost since 1900.”

The report found that land degradation is a major driver of climate change, with deforestation alone contributing about 10% of all human-induced greenhouse gas emissions.

20 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • APRIL-MAY 2018

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APRIL-MAY 2018 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • 21

Knowledge Page Brooding Management-The First Two Weeks Of Life

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s baby chicks are unable to control their internal temperature for the first 10 days of life, you have to keep them warm just like a mother hen would by brooding.

Brooding is an essential practice in raising broilers and is the basis for achieving good results. Often in small scale farming, heat lamps are used along with curtains or cardboard to prevent cold drafts of air from blowing through the chicken house.

The chicks’ position relative to the heat source is an important indicator of comfort. Chicks are best observed at night as a guide to establishing whether they are comfortable or not.

The way you should position the brooder depends on its heat output and the insulation of the house.

Too hot- Temperature too high: Chicks move away from heat source and group near the sides of the house

Too cold- Temperature too low: Chicks will huddle under the brooder

Drafty- Cold Air Currents: Chicks will huddle in one area to avoid draft

Correct temp- Optimal situation: Chicks sound contented and are evenly distributed around the brooder

Where heat bulbs are used for brooding, at least 400 watts is effective in satisfying the heat requirement of 1,000 birds.

A brooding ring- a small area, within the house, that can comfortably accommodate the baby chicks should be enclosed to concentrate heat in the brooding

area. Brooding rings can be constructed of wire and covered with paper.

Whatever the brooding system, the desirable temperature should be maintained at 35ºC (95ºF) throughout the first week regardless of outdoor temperature.

The brooding temperature should be reduced by 5ºF each week until the ambient house temperature of 82°-85° is reached. Brooder height should be adjusted according to the bird’s need with the aim of maintaining an ideal environment.

The ideal environment means: - Free of draft - Adequate spacing - Correct temperature - Enough feeders and waterers Courtesy of Jamaica Broilers Group Limited

2018

Hi-Pro Division Jamaica Broilers Group Limited

Let us Brand your products and services with the Almanac!

For Advertisement Placement and Copies: Adira Grant Advertising and Sales Executive 909-0770 (c) or 923-7471 (o) agriculturalist@gmail.com Book your your advert now... 909-0770 Editorial Matters: Patrick Maitland Publisher and Executive Editor Publishers: AGRI LIFE FOUNDATION LTD 188 Spanish Town Road, Kingston 11, Jamaica W.I. Tel: 923-7471 • Fax: 923-7428 agriculturalist@gmail.com

22 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • APRIL-MAY 2018

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FOOD PAGE

Weight Loss-Friendly Foods You'll Want on Hand www.healthline.com ot all calories are created equal. Different foods go through different metabolic pathways in the body. They can have vastly different effects on hunger, hormones and how many calories we burn.

Here are the 20 most weight lossfriendly foods on earth, that are supported by science.

NUTRICARE

By GLORIA BENT, MS, RD, CDN Nutritionist

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1. Whole Eggs Once feared for being high in cholesterol, whole eggs have been making a comeback.

New studies show that they don't adversely affect blood cholesterol and don't cause heart attacks.

What's more... they are among the best foods you can eat if you need to lose weight.

They're high in protein, healthy fats, and can make you feel full with a very low amount of calories.

One study of 30 overweight women showed that eating eggs for breakfast, instead of bagels, increased satiety and made them eat less for the next 36 hours.

Another 8 week study found that eggs for breakfast increased weight loss on a calorie restricted diet compared to bagels.

2. Leafy Greens Leafy greens include kale, spinach, collards, swiss chards and a few others. They have several properties that make them perfect for a weight loss diet.

They are low in both calories and carbohydrates, but loaded with fiber.

Eating leafy greens is a great way to increase the volume of your meals, without increasing the calories. Numerous studies show that meals and diets with a low energy density make people eat fewer calories overall.

Leafy greens are also incredibly nutritious and very high in all sorts of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. This includes calcium, which has been shown to aid fat burning in some studies.

3. Salmon Oily fish like salmon is incredibly healthy.

It is also very satisfying, keeping you full for many hours with relatively few calories.

Salmon is loaded with high quality protein, healthy fats and also contains all sorts of important nutrients. Fish, and seafood in general, supplies a significant amount of iodine.

This nutrient is necessary for proper function of the thyroid, which is important to keep the metabolism running optimally.

Questions & Comments: Gloria.Bent@gmail.com

Healthy Eating Studies show that a huge number of people in the world aren't getting all the iodine they need.

Salmon is also loaded with Omega-3 fatty acids, which have been shown to help reduce inflammation, which is known to play a major role in obesity and metabolic disease.

.4. Cruciferous Vegetables Cruciferous vegetables include broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage and brussels sprouts.

Like other vegetables, they are high in fiber and tend to be incredibly fulfilling.

What's more... these types of veggies also tend to contain decent amounts of protein. They're not as high in protein as animal foods or legumes, but they're high compared to most vegetables.

A combination of protein, fiber and low energy density makes cruciferous vegetables the perfect foods to include in your meals if you need to lose weight. They are also highly nutritious, and contain cancer fighting substances.

5. Lean Beef and Chicken Breast Meat has been unfairly demonized. It has been blamed for all sorts of health problems, despite no good evidence to back it up.

Although processed meat is unhealthy, studies show that unprocessed red meat does NOT raise the risk of heart disease or diabetes.

According to two big review studies, red meat has only a very weak correlation with cancer in men, and no correlation at all in women. The truth is... meat is a weight loss-friendly food, because it's high in protein.

Protein is the most fulfilling nutrient, by far, and eating a high protein diet can make you burn up to 80 to 100 more calories per day.

Studies have shown that increasing your protein intake to 25-30% of calories can cut cravings by 60%, reduce desire for late-night snacking by half, and cause weight loss of almost a pound per week... just by adding protein to the diet.

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ere are some ideas for healthy meals. Use these ideas to create meals that are low in calories. You should try to eat only 1600-1800 calories each day.

Breakfast should be between 300 and 400 calories each day.

-Small coffee -Hardboiled egg -Whole grain toast -Orange juice -Yogurt -English muffin -Cup of melon -Small banana -Milk -Bagel with peanut butter -Apple -Granola bar

Lunch should be between 400 and 500 calories each day.

-Wheat Sandwich-Tuna -Side Salad -Large salad -Sugar-free Iced Tea -Water -Apple -Cup of berries -Whole grain pasta -Fruit Juice -Tomato sauce and meatballs -Side salad

Dinner should be about 700 calories each day.

-Lean cuts of chicken, pork, or beef -Salmon, tuna, or other fish -A grain, such as rice, beans, or whole wheat pasta -Vegetables as a salad or a side dish -Vinaigrette or olive oil/vinegar for salad -Fruit or yogurt as a dessert

Snacks should be between 100 and 150 calories each day.

-Yogurt with fruit -Bag of pretzels -Granola bar -Cup of fruit -Banana -Apple -Orange

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