The Agriculturalist - June-July 2018

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Farmer, Politician in JAS presidential race

By Patrick Maitland Editor-The Agriculturalist

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former CEO of the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), Lenworth Fulton, and the former Mayor of Montego Bay, Glendon Harris, are locked in a heated race for the presidency of the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS).

After serving as JAS president for 12 years in two, threeyear terms -- from 2003 to 2009 and from 2012 to 2018 -- Norman Grant was restricted by term limit, which set the stage for the battle between the two veteran agriculturalists to replace the former senator.

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

Clarendon JAS President, Denton Alvaranga, and Westmoreland JAS President, Owen Dobson, are on the “Fulton Team” as the candidates for firstvice president and second vice president, respectively.

Harris, who is also the incumbent second-vice president of the JAS, has selected St. Mary JAS President, Hugh Lambert, as the candidate for first vice-president and Small Business Association of Jamaica President, Hugh Johnson, as second-vice president.

Continued on page 5

LENWORTH FULTON JAS Presidential Candidate

New Features For Denbigh 2018 See page 9

GLENDON HARRIS JAS Presidential Candidate

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JUNE-JULY 2018 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • 3

EDITORIAL

JACRA needs a new team to overhaul its operations W

e are echoing the sentiments of many farmers, agriculturalists, and food processors that the Jamaica Agricultural Commodities Regulatory Authority (JACRA) needs an immediate overhaul of its operations and regulations.

The idea of JACRA was proposed some ten years ago. However, just over six years ago the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries' Permanent Secretary, Donovan Stanberry, hired noted agriculturalist, Dr. Garnet Brown, and retired human resource specialist, Judith Maloney, to manage the merger of the existing Coffee Industry Board, Cocoa Industry Board, the regulatory functions of the Coconut Industry Board and the Export Division of the ministry into JACRA. We know it would have been a significant challenge based on the unique features of the respective boards, including the agronomic and trading practices of these crops. In fact, we do not think a merger strategy would be the best option as the government seeks to rationalize operations and cut expenses.

We have never been told of the savings, or monetary benefits, the government is accruing by merging these commodity boards, which have not been receiving regular government subvention.

PATRICK MAITLAND Publisher - The Agriculturalist patrick@theagriculturalist.com

In fact, the export division that dominates the export of pimento has been a significant cash cow for the Agriculture Ministry for many decades.

Therefore, we would like to know how farmers and the country are expected to benefit from a super-sized entity that focuses on new farm taxes and regulations but ignores the fundamentals that are required to sustain the growth of the crops.

In the eyes of the public, JACRA is an embarrassment to the government, and we are blaming Stanberry, Brown, and Maloney. These responsible officers were very stubborn and would not listen to suggestions put forward by experienced agriculturalists and farmers.

Stakeholders’ consultation and due diligence were not followed as the Authority faced strong objections from farmers and agriculturalists, as well as some members of the manufacturing and commercial sector.

As noted by Norman Grant, president of the Jamaica Agricultural Society, some farmers are upset about the penalty that will be levied against them if they do not have a license to plant pimento, cocoa, coffee, coconut, ginger, and turmeric.

“JACRA has also introduced taxes on the crops,” Grant said.

JACRA’s Chairman, Richard Pandohie, also berated his organization, charging that the Authority in its current form is “flawed.”

“It is far from being operational, and in fact, if left in its current form, that would be a deterrent to the farmers and the farming community. The idea of separating the commercial functions from the regulatory has merit, but JACRA is going to need to take on a lot more than that,” the outgoing chairman told The Gleaner.

It is very sad that one of the most critical organizations affecting the livelihood of thousands of farmers producing up to 50 percent of the island’s export food is being ridiculed or mocked as it fails to get its act together.

After missing several start-up dates, the red flag was already out that JACRA was having issues. Nevertheless, finally, the announcement came that the Authority officially started Jan. 1, 2017.

There was no fanfare or excitement as in our opinion nobody wants to be the proud owner and founder of JACRA. Despite the concerns, we need a strong and equipped “JACRA” to promote and regulate coffee, cocoa, coconut and the spices in the interest of our farmers.

Therefore, the government should move quickly to put in place a new team and board of directors to overhaul the operations of JACRA.

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.

JAS to elect a new president

By Kimmy Blair The Agriculturalist Writer fter serving 12 years as president of the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS), Norman Grant will not be up for reelection at the Society’s Annual General Meeting scheduled for July 11 at the Denbigh Showgrounds, May Pen, Clarendon.

JAS bylaws prevented Grant from seeking re-election after completing twoconsecutive three-year terms. His initial withdrawal was in 2009, until 2012, when he returned to head the Society.

Former Mayor of Montego Bay and defeated Councillor for the Maroon Town Division in St James on the People's National Party (PNP) ticket, Glendon Harris, and former CEO of the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) and executive director of the Jamaica 4-H Clubs, Lenworth Fulton, will seek to lead the JAS for the next three years.

Grant joins controversial former JAS president, the late Courtney Fletcher, who was appointed to Senator and was always in the media spotlight for his comments on Jamaican agricultural sector.

Agricultural commentators, however, said Grant was more about getting media attention than addressing the needs of the JAS and the farmers of Jamaica.

“Under Grant’s watch, the JAS continues to receive 90 percent of its funding from government subvention, and the conditions at the Denbigh Showground deteriorated. After 12 years, the place is now an eyesore despite several redevelopment launches, including the construction of a hotel on the grounds,” a director of the JAS observed.

Grant said, however, that he is proud of his record, and will continue working with the JAS to achieve some other objectives.

“Under my leadership, the JAS has been transformational, and I will continue to work with the JAS and agencies like RADA, as well as seek the ministry's support in meeting our targets,” he said.

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Publisher & Editor:

Patrick Maitland Consulting Editors:

Vincent Wright, Jairzenho Bailey

By Kimmy Maitland

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JUNE-JULY 2018 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • 5

NEWS OBITUARIES

RUMINANTS TALK: J.C. Hutchinson (c), Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, converses with (from left), Dr. Gillian Smith, Acting Food and Agriculture Organisation Representative in Jamaica, Belize and The Bahamas; and Kenneth King, President of the Small Ruminants Association of Jamaica, at the 21st Annual General Meeting of the association held at Bodles Research Station in Old Harbour, St. Catherine, on May 5.

Faba Chen

Sept 2, 1963 - June 13, 2018

F

aba Chen, 55 previously known as Roan Champagnie has been ailing for the past six years from kidney failures, diabetes, and cataract of the eyes.

He died of chronic renal failure on June 13, 2018, at the Spanish Town Hospital.

Chen is a graduate of the Knockalva Agricultural School, College of Agriculture, Science and Education (CASE) and the University of the West Indies, St Augustine.

He previously worked at New Yarmouth and Worthy Park estates in St Catherine as an agronomist.

Chen is survived by two sisters, a brother, uncles, and aunties.

Details on the funeral arrangement will be announced later. Contact for details: Oral Lewis: 482-5629 ————-

Alpheous "Tata" Higgins

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le Farmer Alpheous "Tata" Higgins (Class of 1971 Jamaica School of Agriculture) who recently made the transition to be with his maker in Clarendon where he resided.

Ole Farmer "Tata" Higgins gave many decades of dedicated and unstinting service to the Ministry of Agriculture as an agricultural extension officer and was as an Animal Health Assistant in the Veterinary Division, providing services to farmers in Borobridge, Aenon Town and Morgan Forest areas, up to the time of his fading.

Investment in small ruminant production N

oting that of the 3.27 million kg of goat and sheep meat consumed in 2016 only 30% was supplied locally, J. C. Hutchinson, Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, is calling for more large-scale investment in the small ruminant sub-sector, which has a significant opportunity for growth for primary and value-added products.

“By and large, small ruminant farmers have been primarily small farmers rearing between 100 and 500 animals and many even below that,” said Minister Hutchinson. This, he said, limits the scope of production.

The Minister urged the small ruminant farmers to consider the mother and satellite farm concept currently being used by the poultry industry, which will lead to increased herd sizes, consistency of inputs as well as expansion into agro-processing.

While noting that there was a positive trend in local production compared to 2006 when only 11% of the meat consumed was produced locally, Minister Hutchinson called for increased production, stating that Jamaicans are eating less goat and sheep meat as data showed that consumption moved from 6.8 million kg in 2006 to 3.2 million kg in 2016.

Minister Hutchinson was speaking at the 21st Annual General Meeting of the Small Ruminants Association at the Bodles Research Station in Old Harbour on May 10, where he commended the farmers for their commitment to the sector amidst the challenges that they

Farmer, Politician in JAS presidential race Continued from page 1 Under the theme, “Leadership with Integrity, Honesty, and Experience,” the former executive director of Jamaica 4H Clubs and current St. Catherine JAS, president, Fulton is adamant that the 123-year-old Society needs new leaders with fresh ideas.

“The team with Glendon Harris has been part of the JAS management for the past 10 years and is responsible for the dismal failure of the Society in addressing the needs of members and farmers,” Fulton claimed.

“Our mission is for solid management of the JAS operations to utilize the assets and other resources to improve the income as well as the living standard members and farmers.

The JAS must be more open, honest and transparent on the financial and management operations of the Society.”

Fulton said that his leadership would emphasize attracting more youth and women to the JAS to boost membership, which is struggling at less than 3,000.

Harris, who serves as Councilor in St. James for more than 20 years before he was defeated in 2017, told The Agriculturalist that he was interested in leading the organization for another term following his stint from 2009 to 2012.

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

“The JAS is the farmers' organisation and I have been a transformational leader; my principal background is business, outside of being an agriculturalist,” he said.

face such as praedial larceny and lack of land tenure.

In calling for stronger measures to be implemented to deter praedial thieves, Minister Hutchinson is proposing that restitution be given to victims who lose any type of crops or animals for the amount equal to the value of the agricultural crops or animals including any interest incurred.

Minister Hutchinson also said that Government will be providing 100 acres of land for lease to young farmers to address the chal-

lenges been faced in accessing lands for farming. These lands, he said, will be allocated to farmers identified by the Jamaica 4-H Clubs.

This is in addition to the 10,500 hectares of former sugar lands in Clarendon and St. Catherine which will be available for lease to farmers for production of non-sugar crops and livestock. He stated that these lands could be used in the cultivation and production of forages to supply feed to the small ruminant subsector and thereby cut the high import cost for processed feed.

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JUNE-JULY 2018 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • 7

NEWS

Hanson departs JACRA T

wo months since appointed the first Director General of the recently established Jamaica Agricultural Commodities Regulatory Authority–JACRA, Everton Hanson has departed the post effective June 4.

Unconfirmed reports are that the Board of Directors of JACRA terminated his contract based on the “without cause” enforceable termination clause.

Hanson told The Agriculturalist he did want to comment further on the issue, but the separation was amicable. “Not withstanding the initial changes, JACRA is very important organization, which will continue to serve the farmers of Jamaica,” Hanson added.

Agricultural Technology Symposium: In photo (l-r) J.C. Hutchinson, Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, in discussion with Shalom Hodara, CEO, Isratech Jamaica Ltd; and Dwight Ricketts, President of the Jamaica Institution of Engineers, at the Agricultural Technology Symposium held at Isratech Jamaica Ltd in Kendal, Manchester, on June 21, organised by the JIE and the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries in collaboration with Isratech Jamaica Ltd under the theme ‘Sustained Growth in the Agriculture Sector with Science & Technology, Engineering.’.

The technology symposium examined strategies for sustained growth in the agriculture sector through the application of science, technology and engineering.

-Photo credit: Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries

Send press releases to: editor@theagriculturalist.com

EVERTON HANSON Former Director General, Jamaica Agricultural Commodities Regulatory Authority

Pandohie quits JACRA

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hief executive officer of the Seprod Group Richard Pandohie has quit as chairman of the Jamaica Agricultural Commodities Regulatory Authority (JACRA).

He applauded the concept of having one umbrella agriculture board with a mandate to drive the growth of the industry after years of decline.

But Pandohie charged that JACRA, as is now laid out, is flawed. "It is far from being operational, and in fact, if left in its current form, that would be a deterrent to the farmers and the farming community.

The idea of separating the commercial functions from the regulatory has merit, but JACRA is going to need to take on a lot more than that.

"The concept is sound, but it needs a lot of work to get it operational, and from a regulatory aspect, I hope they find somebody really good who has some time and experience in regulations. But regulation is not my forte. If you ask me to grow 'suppen' or add value to 'suppen' that's okay, but I'm not a regulatory guy," said Pandohie.

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SHAW’S SURPRISE GIFT: Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture & Fisheries Audley Shaw (right) is surprised with a 66th birthday gift of a barbecue grill from the Jamaica Broilers Group. In photo Christopher Levy, president & CEO of Jamaica Broilers (l), makes the presentation, while Norman Grant (2nd left), president of the Jamaica Agricultural Society and Conley Salmon president, Jamaican Operations (3rd l), Jamaica Broilers Group look on. The presentation was made on June 15 at the official launch of Denbigh 2018 and was held on the lawn of Hi-Pro, White Marl, St Catherine. This will be the 66th year of the Denbigh show.

New Features For Denbigh 2018

By Chad Bryan, JIS: his year’s staging of the Denbigh Agricultural, Industrial and Food Show, scheduled for August 4 to 6, will include several new features to enhance the spectacle of the event, while promoting the country’s agricultural sector.

The event, under the theme ‘Grow what we eat, eat what we grow: Agriculture securing, our future’, will include a craft village; back-to-school fair; and transformation of the President’s Pavilion into a “living embodiment” highlighting the country’s agricultural history, growth of the sector and future potential.

An investment in agriculture forum will be staged with support from entities such as Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO), Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC), National ExportImport Bank of Jamaica (EXIM Bank) and the Agro-Investment Corporation (AIC) Limited.

“It is going to be a tremendous show this year,” said President of the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS), Norman Grant.

“These features are really just to showcase Denbigh as the platform for strategic and economic growth,” he noted.

He was speaking at the launch of the 66th staging of Denbigh, at the Hi-Pro Supercentre in White Marl, St. Catherine on June 15.

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Mr. Grant informed that a scholarship award will be added to the National Farm Queen competition, and ahead of the show, on July 8, a Denbigh farmers’ 5k run will take place at the showground in May Pen, Clarendon, with the proceeds going towards establishing a disaster relief fund for farmers.

In addition to the new elements, patrons will be able to enjoy the traditional features such as the health and wellness village, horticultural displays, farmers’ market, organic village, food court and youth in agriculture village.

Mr. Grant, who indicated that this is his final year as JAS president, emphasised the importance of investing in agriculture, which will contribute to the sustained growth of Jamaica’s economy.

“Agriculture, in our view, is fundamental to the development of Jamaica. We see agriculture as the bedrock and pillar on which economic growth will take place,” he said.

He noted that the sector accounts for seven per cent of gross domestic product (GDP) and employs thousands of persons.

Mr. Grant said the ‘Grow what we eat, eat what we grow’ campaign, which has been a part of Denbigh for over 14 years, has been a “game changer”.

“The campaign has saved the Jamaican economy US$500 million. Prior to the campaign, we were increasing our imports by about US$100 million per annum. Subsequent to the launch, that has been decreased to US$60 million per annum…we need to salute the work of the over 250,000 farmers and fisher folk,” he said.

In his remarks, President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Jamaica Broilers Group, Christopher Levy, stressed his company’s commitment to the annual

staging of Denbigh and the development of the agriculture sector.

Jamaica Broilers is one of the largest sponsors of the agricultural and industrial show, which attracts over 80,000 patrons annually.

In 2016, the company signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the JAS, committing more than $60 million to the event over a three-year period.

JAMPRO takes Agricultural Information Forum to Mobay

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he Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO) will be heading west for the second staging of the Agricultural Information Forum, aimed at promoting investments in that sector.

The event will be held on July 10 at the Iberostar Beach & Spa Resort in Montego Bay, St. James, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m, and will target persons who have an interest in the agricultural industry.

Speaking with JIS News, Manager for Agribusiness at JAMPRO, Marlene Porter, noted that the forum will engage persons operating in the sector, companies that are looking for investment prospects, or per-

sons who have land and capital and are seeking areas in the sector where they can invest.

The event will be held on July 10 at the Iberostar Beach & Spa Resort in Montego Bay, St. James, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m, and will target persons who have an interest in the agricultural industry.

Key participating entities are the AgroInvestment Corporation (AIC), which will provide information about the various programmes being undertaken such as the agro parks and Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) will highlight the technical and marketing support being provided to farmers and the incentives available.

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INVESTMENT: Economic Growth Council Chairman, Michael LeeChin and Agroinvest's CEO, Sylburn Thomas (3rd l) discuss investment opportunity in agriculture at a recent meeting of the Council.

Agriculture has been identified as one of the sectors of focus to assist Jamaica’s economic growth.

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JUNE-JULY 2018 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • 11

Jamaica Agricultural Society’s Presidential Elections 2018 -

Leadership with integrity, honesty, and experience!

Denton Alvaranga First Vice President

Lenworth Fulton President

Owen Dobson Second Vice President

Vote for these JAS Presidential Candidates 876-390-5451 • 876-801-6208 • fultonlenworth@yahoo.com

12 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • JUNE-JULY 2018

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YOUTH IN PHOTO

SHAW URGES 4-H CLUBBITES TO PURSUE EXCELLENCE: Audley Shaw (left), Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, poses with the Jamaica 4-H Clubs National Boy and Girl of the Year, Shanique Dawkins from Clarendon and Rovani Scott of Hanover, along with Ronald Blake (right), Executive Director, and Colin Virgo, director; both of the Jamaica 4-H Clubs, at the National Achievement Expo on April 27 at the Denbigh Showground in Clarendon. The Boy and Girl of the Year received $1 million from the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries.

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Special Denbigh Show Feature August 2018 issue - The Agriculturalist

SHAW ENCOURAGES YOUNG PEOPLE TO BECOME ENTREPRENEURS: Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries Audley Shaw, presents plaque to honor student Bradwayne Sinclair (r) at the Knockalva Agricultural School’s Valedictory Service held at the Mount Ward Methodist Church in Hanover on June 1. The Minister is encouraging young people to avoid negative influences and to pursue a path of decency and honesty by establishing their ownagri businesses.

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JUNE-JULY 2018 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • 13

OLD FARMERS MEET MINISTER SHAW: Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Audley Shaw (2nd l) poses with members of the College of Agriculture, Science and Education Alumni Association (Old Farmers) (l-r) Una May Gordon, Canute Saddler, Alexi Reid, Sylburn Thomas and Idelle Brown during a seminar on "the state of Jamaica’s National Food Security and the vulnerability of local food supplies to external economic shocks," held at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel on May 17 in New Kingston. The forum also features presentations from knowledgeable industry speakers and lively discussions on the Jamaican agro-processing sub-sector, the state of the Jamaican fresh agricultural produce export subsector, the major threats to national food security, the state of the livestock and crop production sub-sectors and investment opportunities to enhance national food security.

GraceKennedy to set up agro park

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raceKennedy Limited is taking a more direct interest in farming under a new partnership with the Jamaican Government to supply its St. Elizabeth factory.

The company is a large buyer of agricultural crops as inputs for its food manufacturing operations.

Previously, the conglomerate provided technical support to farmers in its supply chain.

DON WEHBY Now, it will be more involved as an agro park investor, utilising lands leased in the parish.

Group CEO Don Wehby said that Grace Agro-Processors, a division of GK Foods & Services Limited, is partnering with the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries (MICAF) to establish the agro park on 110 acres at Ridge Pen in proximity to its processing plant in the neighbouring district of Hounslow.

The company expects planting of crops to begin in November of this year and for reaping to begin in May 2019.

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Rum manufacturers urged to partnering with cane farmers

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inister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries Audley Shaw is calling for rum-manufacturers to return to the tradition of partnering more with sugar cane farmers and to use more local products in their processing operations.

Shaw said Jamaica’s sugar cane farmers and the industry need more support from rum-manufacturing factories across the island, arguing that, without the support, many farmers will not be motivated.

Komal Samaroo, Chairman of National Rums of Jamaica, said he agrees with the Minister’s call.

CLIMATE SMART AGRICULTURE: (l-r) Dr Olu Ayie a director at the Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation ACP-EU; Una May Gordon, Principal Director, Climate Change, Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation and Peter Thompson, CEO, Rural Agricultural Development Authority during the recent official launch of Climate Smart Agriculture Project for Portland, St. Thomas and St. Mary. The launch was held in Passley Gardens, Portland.

Climate-smart practices training for farmers

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ome 5,000 smallholder farmers in the parishes of Portland, St. Thomas and St. Mary are slated to benefit from specialised training to increase their capacity to implement climate-smart agricultural practices.

The project, dubbed Accelerating the Uptake of Climate-smart Agriculture in selected African, Caribbean and Pacific countries, is to be implemented

in three beneficiary countries - Jamaica, Mali and Ethiopia.

The project is being implemented in collaboration with the Technical Centre for Agriculture and Rural Cooperation (CTA), based in the Netherland, will be conducted over a two-year period.

The launch of the Jamaican component was held last Thursday at the College of Agriculture, Science and

Education, Passley Gardens, Portland.

It will be executed through a partnership involving the CTA, the Climate Change Division in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, and the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA).

Smart Agriculture (CSA) is an approach to help the people who manage agricultural systems respond effectively to climate change.

14 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • JUNE-JULY 2018

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JUNE-JULY 2018 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • 15

INTERNATIONAL NEWS Farm Sector Fears Large Losses From Mounting Trade Conflict

By Chuck Abbott he Farm Belt will get walloped if China retaliates in equal measure against Washington’s $50 billion in announced tariffs on Chinese goods, said economists at Midwestern universities.

Ohio State researchers said farmers in the Buckeye State could see a 50% drop in farm income, while Iowa State’s Chad Hart said producers in the Hawkeye State could lose up to $624 million this year, depending on how long the tariffs are in place and if other customers are found.

China is the largest market for U.S. ag exports, which generate 20¢ of each $1 in farm income. The Trump administration announced 25% tariffs on $50 billion of hightech Chinese products, with duties coming into effect on July 6 for a tranche of $34 billion in goods. Beijing responded with a target list of the same size, also taking effect on July 6 and which included soybeans, salmon, orange juice, and whiskey along with electric cars.

Analysts say China picks trade targets for maximum political impact while minimizing discomfort to its citizens. Soybeans

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are, by far, the largest U.S. farm export to China, but Brazil is its leading supplier.

Along with the tariffs, the Chinese Commerce Ministry also said a recent offer to buy billions more of U.S. goods, including farm exports, was off the table.

“As a soy grower, I depend on trade with China,” said Kentucky farmer Davie Stephens, vice president of the American Soybean Association. “China imports roughly 60% of U.S. soybean exports, representing nearly one in three rows of harvested

soybeans. This is a vital and robust market that soy growers have spent over 40 years building and, frankly, it’s not a market U.S. soybean farmers can afford to lose.”

In the run-up to the White House announcement on Friday, the National Corn Growers Association pointed to the outcome of the U.S. grain embargo of the Soviet Union in 1980. It prompted larger Soviet grain production and damaged the U.S. reputation as a reliable supply on the global market.

“Our organization grows increasingly concerned that this administration does not have a plan to ensure family farmers and ranchers aren’t thrown under the bus,” said the National Farmers Union, the secondlargest U.S. farm group. The NFU said it supports the administration in trying to reduce the U.S. trade deficit. “The administration must work with Congress to develop a comprehensive solution to ensure family farmers can continue to provide for the nation. Fortunately, the current farm bill drafts moving through Congress present an opportunity for the administration to do just that.”

Pollutants from agriculture a serious threat to world’s water – FAO Tajikistan, Ghana: ater pollution from unsustainable agricultural practices poses a serious risk to human health and the planet’s ecosystems, a problem often underestimated by policymakers and farmers alike, cautions a new report.

In many countries the biggest source of water pollution today is agriculture — not cities or industry — while worldwide, the most common chemical contaminant found in groundwater aquifers is nitrate from farming.

This was made known in ”More People, More Food, Worse Water? A Global Review of Water Pollution from Agriculture’, report launched by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the International Water Management Institute at a conference in Tajikistan.

The report, which was made available to the Ghana News Agency by George Kourous of the FAO Media Relations in

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Rome, said modern agriculture is responsible for the discharge of large quantities of agrochemicals, organic matter, sediments and saline trading into water bodies.

It said this pollution affects billions of people and generates annual costs exceeding billions of dollars.

“Agriculture is the single largest producer of wastewater, by volume, and livestock generates far more excreta than do humans. As land use has intensified, coun-

tries have greatly increased the use of synthetic pesticides, fertilizers and other inputs,” wrote Mr Eduardo Mansur, Director of FAO’s Land and Water Division, and Ms Claudia Sadoff, IWMI Director-General, in their introduction to the report.

“While these inputs have helped boost food production, they have also given rise to environmental threats, as well as to potential human health concerns,” they add.

The report said agro-pollutants of greatest concern for human health were pathogens from livestock, pesticides, nitrates in groundwater, trace metallic elements and emerging pollutants, including antibiotics and antibiotic-resistant genes excreted by livestock.

The new report represents the most comprehensive review of the dispersed scientific literature on the issue complied to date, and aims to fill information gaps and lay out policy and farm-level solutions in one consolidated reference.

Tariff retaliation already hitting pork, dairy industries T

he tariffs on pork will likely be prohibitive, meaning that pork otherwise exported to Mexico will have to find a new home.

Recent tariffs imposed on steel and aluminum imports to the U.S. from Canada, Mexico, and the European Union (EU) have resulted in retaliation in the form of tariffs on a range of U.S. exports to those countries.

Incomplete lists can be found here, but the biggest concerns in terms of agri-

cultural trade are Mexican tariffs on pork and cheese. Mexico is responsible for a significant portion of all U.S. exports of pork (32 percent in 2017) and cheese (up to 28 percent annually), but the full effect of these tariffs is currently unknown.

New Mexican tariffs on cheese include a 15 percent duty on fresh cheese and a 10 percent duty on shredded or powdered cheeses. These duties increase to 25 percent and 20 percent, respectively, after July 5th.

The new tariffs on pork include a 20 percent tariff on all chilled or frozen pork as well as cooked ham and shoulder products and a 15 percent tariff on pork sausages. The U.S. is still allowed to export pork to Mexico duty free under their 350,000 metric ton quota. However, this limit is only 43 percent of U.S. pork export volume in 2017 and the U.S. must compete with other exporting countries for this quota. To put it simply, the 350,000 metric ton quota is “first come, first served.”

US approved Bayer’s takeover of Monsanto

by David Rowlands/World Fertilizer ccording to Reuters, Bayer’s planned takeover of Monsanto has been a proved by the US. Reuters reports that this comes after the company agreed to sell approximately US$9 billion in assets, clearing a major hurdle for the US$62.5 billion deal, which will reportedly create one of the world’s biggest seeds and pesticides producers.

According to Makan Delrahim, who heads the US Justice Department’s (DoJ) Antitrust Division, the asset sales agreed to by Bayer were the “largest ever divestiture required by the United States.”

A spokesman for the company reportedly stated the planned sale of businesses with €2.2 billion in sales to BASF already agreed to address antitrust concerns, largely in Europe, were not different materially from the demands of the DoJ. Reuters reports that this ruling has come after months of delays in a long review process. It brings Bayer closer to establishing a giant agricultural supplies company with sales of approximately €20 billion, based on 2017 figures when taking the divestments into account. At current exchange rates, Reuters reports that this compares to approximately €12.4 billion at DowDuPont’s Corteva Agriscience unit, €11 billion at ChemChina’s Syngenta and €7.9 billion at BASF, including businesses to be acquired.

The takeover has already been granted approval from a number of key jurisdictions (EU, Brazil, Russia, the US). However, it still requires clearance in both Mexico and Canada.

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Farmers spot diseased crops faster with artificial intelligence

by Matt McFarland f farmers want to know how healthy crops are, perhaps they shouldn't trust their eyes.

Matt Free -- a manager at Evergreen FS, an agriculture company -- learned that lesson this year. His team provides crop protection services such as fertilizers and herbicides to farmers across Illinois.

After a year-long test of a variety of new technologies, Evergreen FS found artificial intelligence could identify trouble, such as fungus growth and water shortages, in corn and soybean crops weeks before the naked eye would ever realize it.

The tech, which comes from startup Ceres Imaging, offers farmers an AI analysis of photos taken from planes flying several thousand feet above fields. Previously, the technology was generally limited to orchards and vineyards.

After images are taken, Ceres provides maps that highlight trouble spots on farms. Free's team visited the marked areas, but couldn't detect any issues with their own eyes.

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JUNE-JULY 2018 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • 17

RADA FOCUS

Beet Armyworm Management Rally

By Marina Young Principal Director - Technical Services Rural Agricultural Development Authority ————————————————————————

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team of plant doctors from the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) and the Plant Quarantine Inspection and Research & Development Division, MICAF, conducted a Beet Armyworm Management Rally (the first in a series of rallies on different plant health topics) at the St. Elizabeth Parish Office Open Day dubbed Agrifest held on May 31, 2018.

St. Elizabeth is one of the largest crop production areas in the island and farmers within the Parish have been experiencing sporadic beet armyworm flare-ups and outbreaks. The Joint technical team prepared and successfully staged a public awareness activity to assist the effective management of the Beet armyworm.

The Rally is considered a new approach for Jamaica’s plant health system and compliments other extension approaches used for transferring knowledge and skills to farmers and other stakeholders.

This high intensity training consisted of four individual modules, where participants were exposed to 15-20 minutes duration sessions on key areas for management of the Beet Armyworm: (1) Pest Life Cycle; (2) Field Inspection for Assessing Beet Armyworm; (3) Construction and Use of Pheromone Traps and (4) Pest Forecasting.

The Sessions included: practical demonstrations and interactive communication with participant and feedback questions. Comments and opinions received from stakeholders were all positive and encouraging.

This pilot project was implemented in collaboration with Plantwise, Commonwealth Agricultural Bureau International (CABI), UK. The implementation of the Plantwise Progranmme aims at enhancing extension delivery and plant health in Jamaica, through training of plant doctors, implementation of plant doctor clinics (fixed and E-clinics), building Knowledge Bank and public awareness including plant health rallies.

For more information on participating in the Plant Doctor Clinics or Rallies contact your nearest RADA Parish Office.

Tel: 977-1158-62 • Fax: 970-4660 executive@rada.gov.jm www.rada.gov.jm

Technical Team from RADA and MICAF pose for the lenses after the successful execution of Beet Armyworm Management Rally on May 31, 2018.

Practical Demonstration led by Kimmoia Witter, Pest Risk Analyst Plant Quarantine MICAF at the Beet Army Worm Management Rally held at RADA St. Elizabeth Open Day “ Agrifest” held on May 31, 2018.

Latania Richards, Pest Risk Analyst, Plant Quarantine MICAF in presentation at Beet Armyworm Management Rally.

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JUNE-JULY 2018 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • 19

Steming the transboundary movement of coconut pests T

hroughout history ancient seagoing vessels have spread diseases and pests to new and unprepared countries. Today modern transportation systems do the same thing, only at much greater speeds and volume.

Since May 22, 2018, the Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI) together with our partners the International Trade Centre (ITC), European Union (EU) and the African Caribbean Pacific Group (ACP) will be conducting national risk management workshops in 11 CARIFORUM countries .

In Jamaica, the workshop will be held, 28 June 2018 at the Spanish Court Hotel, Kingston.

Locally, the Coconut Industry Board which has responsibility for the affairs of nation’s industry is partnering with CARDI and ITC the implementation of the project activities in Jamaica.

by

Dr Gregory Robin Representative in Jamaica Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI)

Jamaica’s coconut industry has suffered tremendous losses due to the scourge of Lethal Yellowing Disease.

Trees of Atlantic Tall variety have virtually disappeared from the landscape following outbreaks of lethal yellowing disease.

Less susceptible Malayan Dwarf, Panama Tall and first generation (Maypan) hybrid varieties are exhibiting a decline in levels of tolerance and therefore, the country continues to modify its management strategy to maintain

the viability of the industry. Other pests/disease problems such as bud rot, coconut mite and Ambrosia beetle also affect production and are targeted by project activities.

We have to develop strategies to prevent new introductions of deleterious organisms and mitigate the risks posed by those already present. It is expected that participating coconut producers and producer groups locally, and across the region, will get a broader global appreciation of the range of coconut pests and diseases that can impact on their operations.

This sensitization should see them appreciating that they too have a role to play in the development of relevant, effective action plans.

All must come on board to safeguard the Region. The Region must adopt a multi-stakeholder approach (including multiple agencies and producers) to prevent the entry and spread of invasive species

Board Chair - Debra Boyle

JOAM elects new officers

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t the recently held Extraordinary General Meeting of the Jamaica Organic Agriculture Movement (JOAM) following the directors were elected to serve for a two-year period: Board Chair - Debra Boyle; Treasurer - Raymond Martin; Secretary - Colleen Williams; Directors- Kerri-Ann Bennett; Joseph Lindsay, Roy Page, Kermit Tucker and Colleen Williams.

The JOAM is a non-profit, non-governmental organization created to foster an organic agriculture industry in Jamaica.

Weathering the storm this hurricane season J

une signifies the start of another hurricane season, and we are left to wonder what the coming months will bring. In the face of climate change, it is unlikely that Jamaicans will continue to experience the luck we have had over the past few years.

For the most part, farmers accept that they are powerless to stop the next severe storm damaging their crops and affecting their income. When risks are too high for any one individual to absorb, people often turn to insurance – if they can.

Most farmers have no such protection available to them, particularly those who farm small plots of 5 acres or less. While the weather is outside the control of all Jamaicans, most insurers have been unable to offer viable protection to support those in rural surrounds.

The Munich Climate Insurance Initiative (MCII), in their continued work Climate Risk Adaptation and Insurance in the Caribbean project (CRAIC), recognizes there is an urgent need to address this issue. MCII is hosted at the United Nations University Institute for Environment and Human Security (UNU-EHS). The CRAIC project seeks to address climate change, adaptation and vulnerability by promoting insurance as a risk management instrument in the Caribbean.

CRAIC has evolved to now include a campaign to increase understanding of how best to prepare for hurricane season.

By staying alert and adopting disaster risk management strategies, farmers can reduce the damage from natural hazards. So this hurricane season, MCII has enlisted several local volunteers to schedule community events and provide free education on simple tips we can all take to best prepare for when the storm comes.

MCII is currently seeking opportunities with farmer groups and other community associations to deliver their disaster risk education program. If you would like to have a representative visit your area, please send an email to daniel.mcgree@gkco.com.

For financial protection, the Livelihood Protection Policy (LPP) is one option to replace income loss as a result of heavy rains or strong winds.

The LPP was designed fill the financial protection gap and target running small to medium-sized operations.

By

Daniel McGree Impact Insurance Fellow GK General Insurance Company Limited

Dirk Kohler, Insurance Advisor at MCII in charge of the implementation of CRAIC explains “The LPP helps prepare for impacts from climatic risks, including

Damaged banana fields caused by hurricane

hurricanes and storms. Coverage by these approaches empowers people by providing immediate funding after a disaster for a faster livelihood recovery.”

As an index-insurance product, the LPP payouts are tied to a series of thresholds or “triggers” for wind speed and rainfall. If a threshold is met during a weather event, the LPP is “triggered” and an automatic payout is made to the LPP holder’s bank account.

By not linking the LPP to a specific asset, there is no need for lengthy claims assessments that other insurance products require so pay-out is made within 14-days.

This helps farmers get back on their feet quickly.

Grace Kennedy Insurance offers two versions of LPP. A standard LPP has a payout limit of $50,000 to $500,000 depending on the units purchased. The Banana Board works closely with the CRAIC Project Team and offers banana farmers an LPP with tailored trigger levels and higher coverage limits of up to $5,000,000.

Already in 2018, five parishes have experienced rains more than the triggers.

The most notable event occurred in the first weekend of May where several LPP holders were awarded pay-outs in Clarendon, Westmoreland, and St. Thomas.

For more information on LPP, persons are encouraged to visit the National People’s Cooperative Bank, selected credit unions or call 926-5442.

Book your adverts Call 923-7471

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JUNE-JULY 2018 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • 21

Knowledge Page Sustaining the pig breeding herd Post Mating Management of Breeding Herd Seek to mate sows or gilts at the optimum point of heat to ensure large litter size.

- Feed little or no feed on the day of mating or Artificial Insemination (AI).

- Feed Hi-Pro Gestation ration 2.0 kg/day - Check for heat at 21 days and again at 42 days - Steam Up by feeding 2-5 – 3.0 kg/day for 15-20 days - Deworm and Mange 7-9 days before farrowing - Reduce feed to 2.0 kg/day -Place pregnant sow in cleaned farrow pen -Be present at farrowing if possible.

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he most important unit of the breeding herd is the sow, the source of piglets, weaners, and growing pigs. The sustainability and productivity of the Breeder or Multiplier farm (F1 breeders) is directly related to the number of piglets weaned or raised by the sows per year.

Consequently, the general objective is to achieve longevity of the sows and gilts (average 5 years), produce an average 2 litters/year, with an average of 10 piglets/litter, raising at least 17 weaners per year.

Achieving the above parameters begins with the selection and management of gilts.

The rearing of selected gilts represents one of the biggest factors affecting performance of the sow herd. Replacement rate is usually 20-40% of the breeding herd per year making gilts an integral part of sow production.

An inadequate number of gilts will often complicate the culling of poor producing sows meanwhile weaner production is declining. Farmers must have available groups of ready to breed replacement gilts to substitute for culled sows.

Sows are replaced when: • Weaner production is less than 14 piglets/year • After weaning return to heat more than two times • Number of stillbirths increase • Sows crush or kill many of the piglets • Develop hoof problem or injury • Aged (over 5 years with low production) • Sick Breeding Program The industry has adapted a crossbreeding program in the effort to increase pork production.

Current breeding programs involve crossbreeding Large White (growth rate and piglet production) with Landrace (mothering ability) and the offspring gilts crossed with a third breed, Duroc (fast growth, high quality meat) to produce a terminal cross, slaughter pig.

However, farmers are selecting replacement gilts from the three-way, terminal cross pigs which is negatively impacting performance.

Sow Genetics — Current Sow genetics F1 - LW (50%) LR (50%) possess hybrid vigour F2 - LW (25%) LR (25%) DU (50%) F3 - LW (12½) LR (12½) DU (75%) F4 - LW (6¼) LR (6¼) DU (87½) There are few remaining pure breed Large White and Landrace in the wider industry and most bear the characteristics of their Type.

Disadvantages of Reducing the Large White/Landrace Genetic in Breeding Sows These disadvantages include: • Loss of heredity and hybrid vigour • Reduction in length of productive life • Loss of maternal traits and lowering of litter size As the average of the herd incline towards a population of F2- F4 sows the growth rate, feed efficiency and carcass quality, the genetic contribution of the Duroc breed, will improve but the most important traits of piglets/litter and maternal behaviors decline significantly.

Further decline in productive traits is expected when farmers select F3 and F4 gilts.

Selecting beyond F1 sows is not recommended, and a sufficient supply of herd replacements are required to sustain

performance and production.

The Multiplier farms- which include most of our local farms- that produce weaners for finishing can only profit when farmers adhere to the recommended breeding program.

Selecting & Managing Productive Gilts Gilts are generally selected at the end of the growing-finishing period and are separated in groups of 3-5. The Grower/Finisher ration is discontinued and they are now fed Gestation ration. Gilts will come on heat but should be bred at their third heat period (60 days) to allow for physical maturity and increased ovulation.

Pre-Mating Vaccination Management of Breeding Herd To maintain health of gilts, sows and for the viability of piglets a vaccination programme is key for success.

Majestic 7 (Parvovirus, Erysipelothrix sp, Leptospira spp) Vaccination Schedule GILTS •One dose 6 weeks before breeding •Second dose 14 - 28 days later before breeding SOWS •Single dose prior to each breeding

Feeding Lactating Sows -Offer little to no feed on the day of farrowing -Feed Hi-Pro Lactation ration 4.5 - 5.0 kg daily -Perform husbandry practices related to both sow and piglets.

-Sow in good milk production will adequately nurse piglets during the first 15 days.

-Piglet creep feeding should be managed well.

Good sanitation Good sanitation is critical to the survival and well-being of piglets so farrowing pens should be cleaned daily.

-Remove dung and other waste from the pen.

- Use minimal amount of water in cleaning.

- Do not deliberately wet piglets and maintain dry areas for piglets.

- Provide heat particularly at nights.

Sustaining the breeding herd depends on having a sufficient supply of well selected gilts, the genetics of the sow herd, the management of sows and gilts, maintaining proper nutrition and health, and following standard husbandry practice established for classes of animals.

-Courtesy of HiPro Feeds

2018

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

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FOOD PAGE

How does too much sugar affect your body

By Locke Hughes hances are you already know that eating too much sugar isn’t good for you. Yet you’re probably still overdoing it: Americans average about 20 teaspoons of added sugars per day, compared to the recommended 6 teaspoons for women and 9 teaspoons for men. (That doesn't include sugar found naturally in foods like fruits and milk.)

Sugary drinks, candy, baked goods, and sweetened dairy are the main sources of added sugar. But even savory foods, like breads, tomato sauce, and protein bars, can have sugar, making it all too easy to end up with a surplus of the sweet stuff. To complicate it further, added sugars can be hard to spot on nutrition labels since they can be listed under a number of names, such as corn syrup, agave nectar, palm sugar, cane juice, or sucrose.

No matter what it’s called, sugar is sugar, and it can negatively affect your body in many ways. Here’s a closer look at how sugar can mess with your health, from head to toe.

Your Brain Eating sugar gives your brain a huge surge of a feel-good chemical called dopamine, which explains why you’re more likely to crave a candy bar at 3 p.m. than an apple or a carrot. Because whole foods like fruits and veggies don’t cause the brain to release as much dopamine, your brain starts to need more and more sugar to get that same

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feeling of pleasure. This causes those “gottahave-it” feelings for your after-dinner ice cream that are so hard to tame.

your teeth. Bacteria that cause cavities love to eat sugar lingering in your mouth after you eat something sweet.

Your Mood The occasional candy or cookie can give you a quick burst of energy (or “sugar high”) by raising your blood sugar levels fast. When your levels drop as your cells absorb the sugar, you may feel jittery and anxious (a.k.a. the dreaded “sugar crash”). But if you’re reaching into the candy jar too often, sugar starts to have an effect on your mood beyond that 3 p.m. slump: Studies have linked a high sugar intake to a greater risk of depression in adults.

Your Joints If you have joint pain, here’s more reason to lay off the candy: Eating lots of sweets has been shown to worsen joint pain because of the inflammation they cause in the body.

Plus, studies show that sugar consumption can increase your risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis.

Your Skin Another side effect of inflammation: It may make your skin age faster. Sugar attaches to proteins in your bloodstream and creates harmful molecules called “AGEs,” or advanced glycation end products. These molecules do exactly what they sound like they do: age your skin. They have been shown to

Your Teeth You probably rolled your eyes at age 12, but your mother was right: Candy can rot

damage collagen and elastin in your skin -protein fibers that keep your skin firm and youthful. The result? Wrinkles and saggy skin.

Your Liver An abundance of added sugar may cause your liver to become resistant to insulin, an important hormone that helps turn sugar in your bloodstream into energy. This means your body isn’t able to control your blood sugar levels as well, which can lead to type 2 diabetes.

Your Heart A trendy sugar detox diet promises to end your craving for sweets and help you lose weight. But does it work? Here's the truth about sugar cravings and how to tame your sweet tooth.

Can You Really Be Hooked on Sugar?

Some people use sugary foods in ways that aren't healthy, even though it may not be an actual addiction. Some signs: You crave sugar, lose control, and eat more than you planned.

Your Brain on Sugar Sugar fuels every cell in the brain. Your brain also sees sugar as a reward, which makes you keep wanting more of it. If you often eat a lot of sugar, you're reinforcing that reward, which can make it tough to break the habit.

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