The Agriculturalist Newspaper - April 2016

Agriculture Under New Super Ministry

VOL. 26 NO. 1 • APRIL 2016

T

FREE COPY

By Patrick Maitland Editor-The Agriculturalist

he agriculture and fisheries portfolio of the government has been shifted to the newly established new super ministry of Industry, Commerce and Agriculture.

Following the defeat of the Peoples National Party (PNP) at the Feb. 25th general elections polls, newly appointed Prime Minister and leader of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) Andrew Holness announced an 18man cabinet that included Karl Samuda as Minister of Industry, Commerce and Agriculture and JC Hutchinson as Minister without Portfolio in the new Ministry.

Holness explains that the new ministry was part of a strategic move to better facilitate the linkages between commerce and production. The Prime Minister also recommitted his newly installed government to a policy of efficiency and frugality in public and warned that corruption would not be tolerated.

Samuda said that the unique aspects of both the industry and commerce and the agriculture portfolios would be utilised to facilitate development in a constructive and productive manner.

He assured staff at the agriculture ministry that he was looking forward to the contribution of every single member of staff to assist in the building of a strong team committed to creating a sound agro-industry.

In his remarks, Minister Hutchinson, who will have responsibility for agriculture and fisheries, highlighted the creation of agro-economic zones, aimed at utilising everything grown by farmers, from the raw material through to value-added products

WWW.THEAGRICULTURALIST.COM

Agriculture Drone Market

Set to Surge 746%

T

KARL SAMUDA Minister of Industry, Commerce and Agriculture

JC HUTCHINSON Minister without Portfolio Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Agriculture

INSIDE STORIES

PAGE 3 - Excessive Food Imports Hurting farmers!

PAGE 4 - Grant dropped from the Senate - JAS opposes Agriculture under super ministry PAGE 7 - A bail-out for the sugar industry PAGE 12 - Researchers’ Update PAGE 13 - Health & Nutrition PAGE 14 - Youth and Education

By Ben Potter - AgWeb.com hink drones are already a red-hot topic in the agriculture industry today? Just wait, according to a report from RnR Market Research.

According to the report, the worldwide market for agricultural drones currently sits at $494 million, but RnR expects that amount to balloon to $3.69 billion by 2022.

Drones, sensors and other so-called “digital agriculture” tools are in line with consumer trends of demanding end-to-end transparency of how their food is produced, according to lead author of the study, Susan Eustis.

“Transparency is one of the benefits … that drones bring to digital farming,” she says. “The benefits of digital farming are higher productivity and more efficient use of land, water and fertilizer. Transparency in farming is being asked for by consumers.

Consumers want to know where their food came from, how much water and chemicals were used, and when and how the food was harvested. They want to know about consistent refrigeration during transport.”

Drones are one way to help farmers gain higher productivity and more efficiently use their land, water and fertilizer resources, Eustis says. She adds that venture investment in agricultural drones is very strong. Total ag tech capital investments doubled from 2014 to 2015, to $4.25 billion in total.

Continued on page 3

. i a t E t

2 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • APRIL 2016

WWW.THEAGRICULTURALIST.COM

EDITORIAL

Excessive Food Imports Hurting farmers!

WWW.THEAGRICULTURALIST.COM

J

amaica is facing a major food deficit with imports now estimated at US$1 billion. The land of wood and water is importing most of the meat, milk, grains and cereals to feed hungry people.

The latest available census on Jamaican agriculture for the periods 19962007, estimates that the total acreage under agricultural production declined by more than 22 percent.

However, for almost two decades, our informal bird-eye view observations around the island reveals hundred of acres of lands remain idle. Housing and other infrastructural development now occupy some of the island’s most arable farmlands.

Until we get the results of another agriculture census, we are estimating that Jamaica has lost some 30 percent of its farmlands over the last two decades. The island’s poor output in coffee, cocoa, coconut, citrus, fruits and vegetables and livestock is a sign of a nation that is not really interested in feeding its people.

For the past 30 years, the writings have been on the road: agriculture is on the slide.

But, the government continues to ignore the signs, as well as those people who are benefiting significantly from the demise of the sector.

Agriculture continues to be the feeding tree for higglers and other traders of

F Fo oc ca all P Po oiin nt t by PATRICK MAITLAND

Publisher -The Agriculturalist editor@theagriculturalist.com

farm produce. These traders enjoy excessively high mark-ups and profit at the expense of the farmers.

For example, a higgler may buy a jelly coconut for $10 and sells that same product for $90 – just a few miles from the farm gate. That is almost a 90 percent markup.

An example of shortsightedness occurred between 1988-2002, as farmers were beneficiaries of the US Public Law 480, also known as "Food for Peace."

Under the programme, the Jamaican market was flooded with an over abundance of American foods, including rice, milk, oil and cheese.

Our farmers could not compete, but food processors and distributors, including Lasco Foods, made millions from the repackaging of US powered milk. After

some 15 years of supplying cheaper foods to consumers, the PL 480 programme ceased operations because US farmers were no longer interested in our market.

The farmers’ problems continue to be compounded with the uncontrolled and indiscriminate importation of farm produce.

The Ministry of Agriculture has been issuing licenses to importers of farm produce without due regards for its abundance locally.

From fruit juice to chicken backs, importers are putting Jamaican farmers out of business, but no one seems to care as a number of importers with strong political connections continue to make money for the “boys.”

APRIL 2016 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • 3

Nevertheless, it is disgraceful that despite the challenges facing Jamaican farmers, a significant number of privileged people continue to reap big rewards as they enjoy exorbitant profit from the sale and importation of farm produce.

As our food supplies continue to dry up and the economy struggles to achieve any meaningful growth during the past 30 years, this is a challenge that the newly elected Jamaica Labour Party-government, under the leadership of Andrew Holness, must immediately tackle.

The focus should be on “producing more food and grow the economy.”

The strategies and perhaps the human resource capital in agriculture during the past decades have put us where we are today.

We therefore need substantial changes and a dramatic policy shift to meet our objective of producing enough food to adequately feed our country.

The shift of the agriculture and fisheries portfolio to the newly established new super Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Agriculture has been hailed as a positive change. However, it must be backed up with resources and strong management.

We can only produce more food and grow the economy if we put agriculture at the top of our prosperity agenda.

OPINIONS The Future of Agriculture? Smart Farming

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.

T

Courtesy of Federico Guerrini Forbes Magazine he agricultural sector is going to face enormous challenges in order to feed the 9.6 billion people that the FAO predicts are going to inhabit the planet by 2050: food production must increase by 70% by 2050, and this has to be achieved in spite of the limited availability of arable lands, the increasing need for fresh water (agriculture consumes 70 per cent of the world’s fresh water supply) and other less predictable factors, such as the impact of climate change, which, according a recent report by the UN could lead, among other things, to changes to seasonal events in the life cycle of plant and animals.

One way to address these issues and increase the quality and quantity of agricultural production is using sensing technology to make farms more “intelligent” and more connected thorugh the so-called “precision agriculture” also known as ‘smart farming’.

It’s something that’s already happening, as corporations and farm offices collect vast amounts of information from crop yields, soil-mapping, fertiliser applications, weather data, machinery, and animal health. In a subset of smart farming, Precision Livestock Farming (PLF), sensors are used for monitoring and early detection of reproduction events and health disorders in animals.

Typical monitored data are the body temperature, the animal activity, tissues resistivity, pulse and the GPS position. SMS

Continued from page 1 Future improvements to drones, including better materials, sensors, imaging capabilities and more, will continue to fuel growth in the ag sector, Eustis says. Drones and other ag technologies are helping farmers make better decisions in near real-time, she says.

“It is a totally different world than walk-

ing out of the farmland, kicking the dirt and making a decision based on intuition,” she says.

To learn more ways drones are being used on the farm, review potential legal issues and safety best practices, access a buyer’s checklist and more, visit www.agweb.com/drone-zone/.

Agriculture Drone

alerts can be sent to the breeder based on predefined events, say, if a cow is ready for reproduction.

The European Union has sponsored several projects on the topic during the Seventh Framework Programme and, now, during Horizon 2020.

Food production must increase by 70% by 2050, and this has to be achieved in spite of the limited resources..!

The currently running EU-PLF project for instance, is designed to look at the feasibility of bringing proven and cost-effective Precision Livestock Farming tools from the lab to the farm.

Several private companies are also starting to be active in this field, such as Anemon (Switzerland), eCow (UK), Connected Cow (Medria Technologies and Deutsche Telekom.

Smart fishing is at initial stage with some projects in Europe, South Korea, North America and Japan.

“Precision agriculture is not new. The agricultural vehicle manufacturers (John Deere, CNH Global, Class and others) have been involved in this segment for some time.

Initially, it was about position technologies (GNSS) mainly, but it is becoming more complex moving towards the idea of a connected harvester,” Beeachm Research’s principal analyst, Saverio Romeo tells me.”

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 Fax: (876) 923-7428 agriculturalist@gmail.com editor@theagriculturalist.com www.theagriculturalist.com

F H

J

m de im

4 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • APRIL 2016

obituaries

ROYSTON JOHNSON, 68 Former JAS 2nd vice president

JAS 2nd vice president died

L

ong standing member and former 2nd vice president of the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS) Royston Johnson, 68 died on March 7, 2016 after battling cancer for many years..

Johnson served over 35 in the agricultural sector and was employed by the JAS as Branch Organizer for Portland, St. Ann, Hanover before he was promoted in 1987 to the position of Co-operative Marketing officer. He resigned his position from the Society in September 1991.

In 2002, Johnson was selected to served as Board Representative of St Ann and since 2012 was elected 2nd vice president of the Society.

JAS president Norman Grant described Johnson as “a quiet giant who soldiered with remarkable purpose and commitment for the development of our farmers, the agricultural sector and our country.” Grant also extended condolences to family of the late farm leader.

T

Condolences to Albert Beale

he CASE Alumni Association expresses sincere and heartfelt condolences to Ole Farmer Albert Beale (Class of 1976) on the recent passing of his son Marlon Beale; who made the transition to be with his maker on Thursday, March 03, 2016, under tragic circumstances.

The home going service of thanksgiving for the life and work of the late Marlon Beale will be held at the St. Joseph Catholic Church, 14 King Street, Spanish Town, St. Catherine on Saturday, April 09, 2016, commencing at 11:00 am.

----------------------------------------Please send obituaries to: editor@theagriculturalist.com

NEWS

Grant dropped from the Senate

A

fter serving for 15 years as a Senator for the Peoples National Party (PNP), Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS) President Norman Grant was dropped from the list of opposition senators submitted to the Governor General following the Feb. 25 general elections.

Portia Simpson Miller who, in her capacity as Opposition Leader, did not include Grant on the list of the eight Opposition Senators she is authorized to nominate.

Grant told The Agriculturalist that he was a “little disappointed” not to be included, as the Senate has been providing a good forum for him to continue advocating for the farmers, and noted that he understands the challenges Simpson Miller faced in nominating only eight members.

“I am very happy for the opportunity to serve over the years in the Senate and look forward to serving in any capacity or forum,” he declared.

The opposition senators include: Mark Golding (Leader of Opposition Business), KD Knight, Floyd Morris, Angela Brown Burke, Wensworth Skeffery, Sophia Fraser Binns, Lambert Brown and Noel Sloley.

Norman Grant JAS President no longer a member of the Senator

JAS opposed to Agriculture under new super ministry T he President of the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS), Norman Grant, said members of his organization would have preferred a minister solely responsible for Agriculture, instead of a merger with the Industry and Commerce portfolios.

However, he noted that agriculture is critical to the development of the rural areas and Jamaica overall. He also expressed his support for the new minister.

He said he would want to meet with him to get clarification on the ministry's mandate, now that it’s merged with Commerce.

Hutchinson encourages expansion of value-added products

M

MONTPELIER, ST. JAMES: inister without portfolio in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, J. C. Hutchinson commended exhibitors for the many valueadded products on display at the 33rd staging of the Montpelier Agricultural and Industrial Show in St. James on Easter Monday, March 28, noting that Jamaica now needed to place greater emphasis on the production of value-added products.

“Our growth strategy is grow what you eat, eat what you can and can what you can’t,” said Minister Hutchinson as he encouraged the exhibitors to expand their production of value-added products to commercial quantities targeting the export market.

Among the other initiatives strategies outlined by Minister Hutchinson to move the agricultural sector forward were establish-

ment of school gardens in all primary and secondary schools, implementation of a breakfast programme in primary schools, water harvesting, the re-establishment of farmers’ markets where farmers will establish direct links with the end users and the allocation of more funds for the repair of farm roads.

Noting that agriculture was the base on which many of the developed countries, such as China, have moved forward, Minister Hutchinson stressed the importance of getting more young people involved in farming.

“We will be getting on board school gardens in every primary and high school.

We will be providing the fencing, inputs and black tanks for drip irrigation,” and will be encouraging the RADA extension officers to use these school gardens as demonstration plots, said Minister Hutchinson.

WWW.THEAGRICULTURALIST.COM

Security Forces Target Markets and Abattoirs

A

By Garfield L. Angus (JIS) s part of the anti-crime plan, the security forces are targeting abattoirs and markets, to eliminate the practice of stolen agricultural items being sold at these establishments.

According to Minister of National Security, Robert Montague, praedial larceny is high on the agenda of the Ministry, and over the last two weeks there have been several raids by the security forces at markets and places where animals are slaughtered.

The Minister explained that the anticrime plan is not just having more police personnel on the streets, but to have a presence in places where thieves tend to trade people’s goods, stolen from farms and other places.

As part of the anti-crime plan, the security forces are targeting abattoirs and markets, to eliminate the practice of stolen agricultural items being sold at these establishments.

He pointed out that this is being done under the intensified anti-crime effort, called Operation Tidal Wave, as there is a commitment to protect farmers’ investments from thieves.

“As we seek to increase production, we must ensure that the farmer gets the full return from his investment,” the Minister told scores of persons attending the 30th anniversary ceremony of the St. Mary AgriExpo, held on March 28, at the Grays Inn Sports Complex, Annotto Bay, in the parish.

Nutraceutical Farmers Take Part in Workshop -----------------------------------------

Nutraceutical farmers in communities from across western Jamaica, participated in a business opportunity workshop, held at the Holiday Inn Resort, in Montego Bay, on March 23.

The workshop was aimed at empowering participants to grasp the opportunities that exist within the nutraceutical industry.

It was held by the National Commission on Science and Technology (NCST), under the theme: ‘Nutraceutical business opportunity – expanding locally and abroad’.

Director General of the NCST, Errol Morrison, informed JIS News that farmers and business persons engaged in the nutraceutical industry stand to benefit from the global industry, which has experienced significant growth in recent years and is projected to be worth US$600 billion by 2018.

“One of the main mandates from the Government, has been to focus on the nutraceutical industry as an up and coming non-traditional (sector), which will offer new opportunities, job creation and income generation.

WWW.THEAGRICULTURALIST.COM

APRIL 2016 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • 5

6 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • APRIL 2016

WWW.THEAGRICULTURALIST.COM

NEWS

A bail-out for the sugar industry

WWW.THEAGRICULTURALIST.COM

T

he government has announced a bail-out of the local sugar industry.

Agriculture Minister Karl Samuda told the House of Representatives on Tuesday, that the operators of sugar companies failed to focus on product diversification and markets after divestment, and now the industry is in a tailspin.

He said as a result, the government will be operating some factories temporarily: .

"As it is right now it is imperative that the Long Pond Sugar factory which is in good condition, immediately commence operations in order rescue the over 95,000 tonnes of cane that has so far not been reaped in Trealwny. The principles of Everglades have stated t hat they are in no position to start up the factory due to their financial position and they have allowed the government to operate the factory for three months-to take off the cane in Trelawny.

If we fail to reap the cane in Trelawny this year, we can simply forget about any sugar industry in the parish."

He stated that another sugar company, Pan Caribbean, has indicated that it will not be able to operate the Monymusk Factory in southern Clarendon next year.

"These challenges include high operating costs due to irrigation fuel by the JPS, low productivity, widespread theft and low cane supply. Pan Caribbean has indicated that it wishes to hand over the cane growing operations to independent farmers starting immediately and the factory to the government for operation next year.

In the meanwhile, they will continue to

work with the Government of Jamaica to activate new revenue streams in partnership with other investors to return the operations of Monymusk Factory in 2018," Samuda said.

At the first Post Cabinet Press briefing for the Andrew Holness led administration, Information Minister Senator Ruel Reid said the decision by Pan Caribbean, which owns the Frome, Monymusk and Bernard Lodge sugar factories, to cease production will have implications for hundreds of sugar workers.

"The government is moving swiftly to intervene, not to take over the operation but to get other private sector interests to ensure that the production of cane takes place," he said.

He also revealed that Pan Caribbean has racked up an accumulated loss of US$60 million.

In 2011, the Chinese firm purchased the sugar factories for US$9 million. The factories now need a capital injection of US$200 million .

K

APRIL 2016 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • 7

ABOUT OUR MINISTERS

arl Samuda, 74 attended Ardenne High School in the mid l950s. He went on to do further studies at Lisgar College and the University of Ottawa.

He has held senior management positions with major firms including Alcan Jamaica Limited, Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, Industrial Gases Limited and National Woodcraft Limited.

He has distinguished himself in the field of politics and has been the member of parliament for St. Andrew North Central since 1989.

He served in various posts in JLP including General Secretary as well as Minister of State in the Ministry of Industry and Commerce and Minister of State in the Ministry of Health. He has also served as a member of the Electoral Advisory Committee.

A practising Roman Catholic, Karl Samuda is married with three sons.

W

illiam James Charles (J.C.) Hutchinson, 73 former Minister of State for Agriculture is a veteran politician and an avid farmer.

He first entered the political arena in 1979, when he was elected Member of Parliament for the constituency of North Eastern St. Elizabeth - a position that he held for 10 years.

During his tenure as Member of Parliament for North Eastern St. Elizabeth, Mr. Hutchinson served as Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Education (1980 -1983).

Between 1989 and 1997 he turned his focus back to the land and to his farm, which is his passion. However, he returned to representational politics in 1997, having been elected Member of Parliament for North Western St. Elizabeth.

Hutchinson represented this constituency for more than a decade and was appointed Minister of State for Agriculture in 2007-2011.

A father of three children, he sees increased production and productivity through the infusion of modern technology, as one of the imperatives for a sustainable sector.

KARL SAMUDA Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries

His motto is “There is no substitute for hard work.”

W l

JC HUTCHINSON Minister without Portfolio Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries

He is divorced with three children.

He attended Knox College, Munro College and Cornell University in New York, USA. A farmer by profession, Hutchinson’s work history includes part-time teacher and football coach at St. Elizabeth Technical High.

Look out for

FARMERS’ ALMANAC 2017 book adverts and copies

Team CB Group - poses with a bag of the Nutramix – The BIG Feed! at St Mary Show. Nutramix offers a full range of mash, crumbled or pelleted feeds for poultry, pig, cattle, horse, goat, sheep and more.

923-7471 agriculturalist@gmail.com

8 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • APRIL 2016

WWW.THEAGRICULTURALIST.COM

WWW.THEAGRICULTURALIST.COM

APRIL 2016 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • 9

10 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • APRIL 2016

WWW.THEAGRICULTURALIST.COM

AgroGrace launches another low toxicity insecticide -Tracer I

Technical and management staff of AgroGrace-Hardware and Lumber take the field at the officail launch of TRACER 120 SC in Todd Town, St. Elizabeth last week.Tracer is a very effective and economical insect control product which works rapidly like other synthetic insecticides but has a very low toxicity.

n keeping with its mission of promoting environmentally friendly as well as effective and economical pest control solutions, AgroGrace recently launched a low toxicity insecticide, Tracer 120 SC. According to AgroGrace, general manager Olive Downer-Walsh, Tracer is manufactured by world renown agrochemical company, Dow AgroSciences and is practically non-toxic to predaceous and

beneficial insects. The product received the top environmental honor from several countries including US government Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Award (EPA news) in 1999.

As required by Jamaican Laws, Tracer is approved by the Pesticide Control Authority for use in Jamaica.

Tracer is most effective in the control of sucking insect pests including aphids,

These ladies of Team Hi-Pro Feeds take a time-out from promoting Hi-Pro Rewards to smile for the camera at the Hague Agri Show.

World food prices edge up in March

W

ROME: orld food prices edged up in March, as sharp rises in sugar and vegetable oil prices more than offset a plunge in dairy prices, the United Nations food agency said on Thursday.

The Food and Agriculture Organization's (FAO) food price index, which measures monthly changes for a basket of cereals, oilseeds, dairy products, meat and sugar, averaged 151.0 points in March

against a downwardly revised 149.5 points the month before.

The index remains near a seven-year low after four consecutive annual declines.

FAO gave its first forecast for world cereals output in 2016-17 at 2.521 billion tonnes, which would be 4 million tonnes lower than last year's level but still the third-highest performance on record.

Food prices on international markets in March were almost 12 percent lower than a year ago, FAO said.

thrips, leafhoppers, leafminers, mealybugs, armyworms as well as caterpillars. “As a selective insecticide it is also very effective for use in vegetables, condiments and orchard crops,” she adds.

Over 100 stakeholders including farmers, technical staff from the Ministry of Agriculture/RADA and AgroGrace participated in field day and official launch of Tracer 120 SE.

The event was held on the farm of Patrick and Fay Simpson in Todd Town, St. Elizabeth last Wednesday.

AgroGrace as the leading distributor of pesticides and other farm inputs remains committed to the provision of innovative and cost effective solutions in support of Jamaica’s drive towards food security.

WWW.THEAGRICULTURALIST.COM

Jamaica’s Marijuana Legalization:

APRIL 2016 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • 11

Will The U.S. Halt Jamaica’s Plan For Marijuana Legalization?

W

By RAMIZ PARCHMENT ith the Jamaican Senate recently passing the Dangerous Drug Amendment Bill, fears remain that the federal government of the United States may halt further plans of legalizing marijuana should the Jamaican government expand their proposed marijuana reform.

The marijuana bill is now expected to be taken to the House of Representatives in March 2015 for it to be deliberated on. However, In the past, the federal branch of the U.S government have been unsupportive of the legalization of marijuana market within the United States.

In November 2014, President Obama’s nominated U.S. Attorney Loretta Lynch to replace current Attorney General of the United States Eric Holder. The nominee reiterated that she does not support the legalization of marijuana.

However, with many U.S states either legalizing or pushing to legalize the marijuana market, the Jamaican government is adamant not to be left behind. Despite that, they are fully aware that they thread a steady line between benefiting from marijuana reform and angering their largest trading partners (the United States) and current international treaties.

There are three treaties that regulate the consumption, manufacture, research and trafficking of narcotics.

The Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs of 1961 as amended by the 1972 Protocol, Convention on Psychotropic Substances of 1971, and United Nations Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs, and Psychotropic Substances of 1988.

Jamaica is a signator of all three treaties.

For many years, Jamaica has been a transhipment hub for narcotics flowing in from South and Central America into the United States. Questions still remains whether the Jamaican government will be in negotiation with the U.S. should the island state develop further plans of marijuana reform.

According to the Counselor for Public Affairs at the US Embassy in Kingston, Joshua Polacheck, the United States will not discourage the Jamaican government from implementing its own laws and regulation on the local marijuana market as long as it is in accordance of current international treaties.

“The U.S position on Jamaica’s ganja legalization is as long as Jamaica respect its international commitment, the three United Na-

Marijuana plant

tions Conventions on drugs, its domestic drug control regime is a sovereign decision and the U.S. welcomes debates and discussion on the drug issue.”

Delving further into the issue, Polacheck states that the United States government is not bothered by decriminalization of small quantities of marijuana consumed but rather on the the transshipment and corruption brought on from trafficking.

“Our focus with the Jamaican security forces is not on small scale consumption here in Jamaica but on the transnational violent criminals who spread violence and corruption across the hemisphere, those are the

people we are worried about.”

However, these comments contradict earlier statements made by a senior member of the International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL). The assistant secretary of (INL), William R Brownfield, stated that Jamaica is threading a dangerous line with potential legalization of the marijuana market.

“I would not necessarily walk down the same road that some in the Government and Parliament of Jamaica are choosing to walk.”

He added that, “I can assure you that, from the US side, we will continue to pursue maximum efforts to prevent any import in the

Rural Agricultural Development Authority Hope Gardens, Kingston 6, Jamaica, WI. Tel: 876-977-1158-64 • Fax: 876-970-4077 www.rada.gov.jm

United States and we will request and expect complete co-operation from law enforcement authorities of the Government of Jamaica in eliminating this sort of trafficking.”

However, he maintained that the marijuana market within Jamaica is a sovereignty issue and that as long as Jamaica continues to remain in accordance to the three international narcotics treaties then there will be no problem.

“That said, my position was quite clearly stated in the beginning; we must have tolerance and accept that different countries will address their drug issues in different ways so long as they are committed to the fundamental purposes of the three international conventions and that is to reduce the damage, to reduce the harm and eventually to reduce the abuse of these products, including cannabis, or marijuana, or ganja to the citizens of the world” Unlike Uruguay and Amsterdam, Jamaica’s push to legalize marijuana will have a direct effect on domestic policies and international law and with an upcoming summit in 2016 Jamaica’s Legalization of marijuana will continue to be a topic that will foster discussion not just for Jamaica but also for the United States.

RESEARCHERS’ UPDATE

Enhancing agricultural productivity and climate change adaptation

12 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • APRIL 2016

the application of biochar to soils is viewed as a buffer against rising atmospheric CO2 concentrations and as a sustainable approach to mitigate against global environment change.

BY DR. ADRIAN SPENCE Research Scientist

1. Plant bacterization: an option for climate-smart agriculture co-benefiting food security and climate mitigation and adaptation Motivation-Despite significant scientific and technological advancements across the agricultural sector, close to 1 billion inhabitants of tropical and sub-tropical countries face food insecurity.

Constrained by other environmental and non-ecological factors, this situation is expected to worsen due to anthropogenic climate change coupled with unprecedented population growth, which is likely to swell from seven to nine billions by 2050.

When considered together, it therefore means agriculture is being pushed to balance increased demands for food while maintaining ecosystem structure and function amid numerous Anthropocene forcings (e.g. drought, increased incidence of pests—including insects, plant pathogens and weeds—land degradation, desertification and wild fires).

Drought is perhaps the most economically significant global environmental change component with widespread implications for food and sustainability of water resources. Each year, droughts result in significant socioeconomic losses and major ecological damage worldwide.

Currently, agriculture accounts for approximately 70% of the world’s fresh water usage, but with an increase in the frequency and intensity of drought conditions it is critical that the sector finds ways to minimize encroachment on sensitive ecosystems by lowering water usage whilst simultaneously improving yields to ensure global food security.

Previously, several approaches have been employed to address global food security. However, many of these endeavours have been overwhelmed, as they were not designed with climate change mitigation and adaptation in mind.

Given these confounding factors, the need for sustainable agriculture at multiple scales has never been more pressing. In response to these global challenges, expanded use of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) in agro systems is being proposed as a natural modulator of climate-smart agriculture that will co-benefit long-term food security and climate change mitigation and adaptation.

Typically, by establishing a symbiotic relationship with plant roots and seeds (plant-microbial interactions), PGPR stimulate (microbial-altered genetic expression) plant growth, seedling establishment, confer pest and disease resistance, as well as reduce biotic or abiotic plant stress through a number of direct and indirect mode of actions, and critically, without conferring pathogenicity.

Moreover, the application of PGPR in agro systems is expected to reduce the bur-

WWW.THEAGRICULTURALIST.COM

Greenhouse gas contributing to global warming

3. Monitoring of soil-atmospheric CO2 flux and assessing possible shifts in plant nutrition due to rising atmospheric CO2 concentrations.

Dr. Adrian Spence is Research Scientist and head, Spectroscopy Research Lab; Team leader, (bio) geochemistry and global change at the International Centre for Environmental and Nuclear Science, University of the West Indies, Mona. He may be contacted at Adrian.spence02@uwimona.edu.jm

den of chemicals in the environment, as well as the incidence of pest resistance to conventional chemical treatments, while offering a more economical management option to farmers.

Accumulation of high levels of trace metals in agricultural soils

2. Constraining the bioavailability of trace metals in soils developed on White Limestone Supergroups in Jamaica and assessing the impact of sustainable soil amendments on metal mobility and transfer to crop plants.

Motivation-The accumulation of high levels of trace metals in agricultural soils is an issue of paramount importance due to he potential adverse influence on soil health, crop quality and the environment.

However, when assessing the risks posed by metal-contaminated soils, determination of the bioavailable fraction—different chemical forms under different physicochemical conditions—is more important than the total metal content.

Where the bioavailability fraction of a metal is determined to exceed acceptable levels, we monitor the possible effects of sustainable soil amendments (e.g. biochar)

on the mobility and transfer rate of the metal to plants.

Biochar is a carbon-rich residue generated from the burning of biomass in an oxygen-free environment and has been shown to improve the biogeochemical properties of soils by increasing water holding capacity, boosting nutrient retention, immobilizing toxic metal species and improving soil structure.

This, in turn, can boost productivity and restore degraded and contaminated soils. Additionally, due to its stable nature,

Motivation - Carbon dioxide is the important greenhouse gas contributing to global warming. Understanding how sources and sinks for CO2 vary in both time and space can be important in evaluating the potential impacts of different land covers and management practices on the environment and human health.

The emission of CO2 from soils to the atmosphere (soil CO2 flux) represents a significant component of the total atmospheric carbon balance, and it is a very important variable in any study of global climate change. As the largest component of ecosystem respiration, soil CO2 flux is therefore crucial for understanding soil carbon sequestration potential and soil carbon dynamics.

Moreover, the movement of gases across the soil-atmosphere interface also provides an important link to belowground processes and can be used as a strong indicator of the biological health and vigor of a soil and is useful tool to evaluate the efficacy of bioremediation efforts and the impact of changing agricultural practices. One approach being used to characterize sources and sinks for CO2 is to integrate spatial data with concurrent observations of CO2 concentrations and/or fluxes across the local landscape.

We publish your research news and opinions -----------------------------

editor@theagriculturalist.com

HEALTH & NUTRITION Pineapple found to be five times NutriCare more effective than cough syrup

WWW.THEAGRICULTURALIST.COM

APRIL 2016 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • 13

R

by: Raw Michelle (NaturalNews) ather than waiting a case of the sniffles out or reaching for over-the-counter cough syrup, consider fighting a cold with something that's likely already in the kitchen: pineapple.

According to studies, the tropical fruit, along with other ingredients, has been shown to be effective in proving relief to those with tuberculosis as well as those who have coughing issues such as hacking.

In one case, it was shown that a mixture of raw pineapple juice, raw honey, cayenne pepper and salt helped dissolve the mucus in the lungs of tuberculosis patients.

In another instance, researchers found that the raw extracts from pineapple had the ability to decrease mucus five times faster than over-the-counter cough syrup and help patients recover 4.8 times faster.

Overall, the fruit was found to offer relief across the board when it came to coughing symptoms, hacking in particular.

Why pineapple is an effective natural cough syrup Pineapple is effective in helping to keep coughs at bay primarily for two reasons.

The fruit contains bromelain, which is an enzyme responsible for fighting inflammation and aiding in digestion. Coupled with the fact that it also has a great deal of the

By

Gloria Bent, MS, RD, CDN - Nutritionist

Hunger vs Craving

Questions &Comments: gloria.bent@gmail.com

Hunger

mineral manganese, which aids in the formation of connective tissue and improving nerve function, and it's easy to see how it helps fight coughs and diminish mucus build-up in lungs.

According to the George Mateljan Foundation website, The World's Healthiest Foods, pineapple is an excellent source of vitamin C which fights free radicals and, in turn, allows airways to function more effectively. "In addition, vitamin C is vital for the proper function of the immune system, making it a nutrient to turn to for the prevention of recurrent ear infections, colds, and flu," the site states.

Pineapple has many other health benefits in addition to acting as a natural cough syrup. It has been shown to provide arthritis relief, help combat cancers of the breast, throat and mouth, and manage blood pressure.

•Usually occurs when you haven't eaten for a few hours or more •Results in a rumbling stomach, headache or feeling of weakness •Doesn't pass with time •Isn't just for one specific food •Can be satisfied by a healthy snack or meal

Craving

•Are usually for comfort foods, such as chocolate, sweets and fatty foods •Are often caused by negative feelings •Lead to eating that makes you feel good at first, but then guilty •May be stronger when you're dieting, especially if you're giving up your favorite foods •Can occur even after you've recently eaten •Pass with time

How to deal with craving

•Distract yourself: Try calling a friend, listening to music, taking a walk or bike ride, •reading, or writing.

•If a negative feeling is causing your craving, use Stress reduction techniques might include taking a long hot bath, walking, relaxation exercises, or yoga •Drink a glass of water before giving in to a craving. Sometimes when you think you're hungry, you're really just thirsty •Make lower calorie choices whenever possible

April is National Farmers’ Month

T

FRESHLY REAPED PINEAPPLES:

Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Karl Samuda (4th r) examines samples of the freshly reaped MD2 variety of pineapples along with (l-r) Donovan Stanberry, permanent secretary in the Ministry; Damian Graham, general manager Fresh Division , JP Tropical Foods Ltd, and Charles Johnston chairman of Jamaica Producers Group during a farm tour at Jamaica Producers on Easter Monday, March 28. The Minister, along with representatives from the Ministry and local and international partners visited the farms to take a first- hand look at new sweet potato and pineapple varieties being cultivated under a Ministry programme. He later attended the Annual St Mary Agricultural Show held at Gray’s Inn, Agualta Vale in the parish.

FARM TIP

Keep animals in good health. An animal in pain and discomfort can react aggressively.

he Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS) will celebrate National Farmers’ Month during the month of April under the theme “Grow what we eat...eat what we grow.”

Farmers’ month marks a period in the farmers’ calendar when among other activities, we honour and recognize the invaluable contribution of our farmers.

The main features of this celebration to be attended by the Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries will include: • National Thanksgiving Ecumenical Service at the Eastwood Park New Testament Church of God, 51 Eastwood Park Road, Kingston 10 on Sunday April 3, 2016 commencing at 10:30 a.m.

• The launch on Wednesday April 6, 2016 at the JAS Head Office, 67 Church Street, Kingston, commencing at 9:00 a.m.

• JAS National Food Production Summit on Thursday April 21, 2016 at 8:30 am – 4:30 pm at the Jamaica Conference Centre 14 - 20 Port Royal Street.

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

For more information, please contact: Jamila Francis – PRO-JAS/ Patricia Jackson – Executive Secretary-JAS Tel: 922-0610-2 or 948-2901

14 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • APRIL 2016

EDUCATION

WWW.THEAGRICULTURALIST.COM

CASE STUDENTS GET SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDS:

Executive members of the Old Farmers Association of North America (OFANA) Wendell Codner, president; Terrence Johnson, assistant treasurer; Norma Jarrett, vicepresident of North East Region; and Balford Banton, vice-president of Georgia Region pose with scholarship awardees including Omelia Barrett; Kadejak Bennett; Anthony Brown; Moya Campbell; Calbert Green; Heron Miller; Hashani Mitchell and Sheleen Panton. The students who attend College of Agriculture, Science and Education (CASE) were presented with scholarship grant valued at US$8,000 during the annual staging of the College’s Founders’ Day held on January 2016 at the Port Antonio-based college. Over the past ten years scholarship with an cumulative value of US$28,500 or J$3.4M were awarded to twenty five students.

Praedial Larceny Prevention Unit Stages Essay Competition

T

enter. It is also open to members of the Jamaica 4-H Clubs.

Students at the primary level are required to write an essay of no more than 500 words on the topic: How does Praedial Larceny affect the farmers in your community? while secondary level students are required to submit a 1,500-word essay in response to the question: What are the socio-economic impacts of praedial larceny on the Jamaican agricultural sector?

The application forms can be downloaded from the Ministry’s website at www.moa.gov.jm.

Essays must be submitted via email at plpu@moa.gov.jm or mailed to: TrudyAnn Edwards, Praedial Larceny Prevention Coordinator, Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hope Gardens, Kingston.

4-H Clubs to stage Achievement Expo

Livestock students of the College of Agriculture, Science and Education (CASE) pose with their prize-winning dairy heifer at St Mary Agri Expo held on March 28.

I

he Praedial Larceny Prevention Unit (PLPU) in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, is inviting students to participate in its inaugural essay competition.

Praedial Larceny Prevention Coordinator, Trudy-Ann Edwards, said the competition forms part of the PLPU’s public education campaign to sensitise Jamaicans to the devastating impact of praedial larceny on the agricultural sector and the livelihood of farmers.

Deadline for submission is Friday, April 29. For further information persons may visit the Ministry’s website or call 927-1731, ext. 2228.

The PLPU, is inviting students to participate in its inaugural essay competition.

Primary school students, ages nine to 12 years, and secondary level students, between 13 and 18 years old, are invited to

n its continuous bid to promote youth entrepreneurship and its mitigating effect on high rates of youth unemployment, the Jamaica 4-H Clubs will stage its flagship National Achievement Expo at the Denbigh Showground, Clarendon on Friday, April 29.

Being held under the theme: “Youth Entrepreneurship; Stimulating Economic Growth and Development,” the event, in addition to its regular features of the Agri Technology Park, the Agri Technology Competition, Healthy Lifestyle Village, 4-H Cook Off, Cubbies Village and Educational, General and Project Work displays will also showcase the new and exciting Young Farmers’ Business Clinic.

“This new feature will provide the outlet for all youth with ideas at the concept stage or

products or business in their early stages to come and get the necessary business advice to move forward,” said 4-H Clubs Executive Director, Dr. Ronald Blake.

The 4-H Clubs he added have been conducting programmes such as the Youth Economic Empowerment Programme, (YEEP) which provides training and inputs to young farmers in areas including apiculture and crop production as well as in tandem with the National Commission on Science and Technology, (NCST) and the Scientific Research Council, (SRC) the Young Nutraceutical Farmers Training Programme which has so far produced two batches of graduates. Partnerships with the HEART Trust NTA and the NYS have also yielded positive results in entrepreneurial training.

A 4H Clubbite sews with her hands

He added that the goal of realising 100,000 members in April, a fitting birthday gift for the organisation which celebrates its 76th Anniversary on April 1 was within reach and would be duly celebrated at the event.

Currently, the organisation boasts 94,030 members islandwide.

The Jamaica 4-H Clubs just recently concluded its 75th Anniversary celebrations on March 31.

The National Achievement Expo which has seen as many as 6000 patrons will also have an Official Ceremony and Prize Giving Exercise as well as patrons coming in to have health checks and accessing the services of the RGD and PICA among other highlights.

Admission to the event is $200 for adults and $100 for children.

WWW.THEAGRICULTURALIST.COM

APRIL 2016 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • 15

16 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • APRIL 2016

WWW.THEAGRICULTURALIST.COM