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VOL. 28 NO. 6 • NOV_DECT 2018 FREE COPY WWW.THEAGRICULTURALIST.COM

Farmers on
Armyworm
Alert
BEST FEMALE CANE FARMER:
Audley Shaw, Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture
and Fisheries, presents a trophy to the best female cane
farmer Kenesha Gordon from Dukenfield, St. Thomas, at
the All-Island Jamaica Cane Farmers’ Association 69th An-
nual General Meeting, held at the Spanish Court Hotel in
New Kingston on November 14, 2018.

By Rosheika Grant
JIS Reporter

F armers in Manchester and St. Elizabeth are being

advised by the Ministry of Industry, Commerce,
Agriculture and Fisheries to take precaution against
“In our last evaluation,
which was done on November
8, we found that the population
has gone above what we call an
the dreaded beet armyworm, following a rise in the
action threshold.
pest population. In all seven areas, we saw
Speaking at a Jamaica In- that the numbers are of concern
formation Service (JIS) Think because it is increasing
Tank on November and it is now at a
23, Deputy Direc- point where
tor of the Crop & farmers are
Plant Protection being called
Unit, Michelle on to man-
Sherwood, said age their
that since the start of October, These include Cross areas properly,” she said.
the unit has detected a surge in Keys in Manchester and
the pest in the seven areas of the Comma Pen and Bull Savannah Continued on page 4
two parishes, which are usually in St. Elizabeth.
affected.
2 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • NOV-DEC 2018 WWW.THEAGRICULTURALIST.COM
WWW.THEAGRICULTURALIST.COM NOV-DEC 2018 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • 3

EDITORIAL
Jamaica needs to smell its ‘coffee’
C offee is perhaps one of the most iconic
Jamaican commodities – one that is
deeply entrenched and established world-
For example, if the Japanese plan to
market 200,000 boxes and due to shortage
Those having the permit are not man-
dated to buy from the farmers and may be
wide. Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee received only 150,000 boxes, prices will be able to survive at times from their produc-
(JBMC) is royalty: well revered and envied driven up exponentially. Conversely, if cof- tion. The farmers are therefore left to bear
by other origins in the coffee-producing belt, fee volumes are exceeded and 250,000 the entire risk of market failure as importers
from Hawaii to Indonesia. boxes were supplied, the market would re- cut imports, and dealers cut purchases of
In recent times, Central American coun- fuse the excess. cherry coffee to navigate away from losses.
tries have developed a grading system that It is therefore imperative that Jamaica In the past, Wallenford Coffee Co. op-
seeks to recognize coffee that score above as a country seeks to maintain a buffering erated as a buyer of last resort when farmers
86 percent as so-called “specialty coffee” system so that we can manage the volumes were unable to sell their coffee to dealers for
which commands prices that are closer to of coffee available to the market. This could whatever reasons. Now that Wallenford is
JBMC coffee prices. be in the form of a hi-tech storage facility divested and privately owned, the industry
In most cases, “specialty coffee” is mar- that stores green beans or dried parchment. is in search of a new buyer of last resort.
keted as an alternative to Blue Mountain cof- The former Coffee Industry Board has Many agricultural commodities are
fee. The challenge, however, is that they are for too long rejected this option, but it is funded by cess or levy and as such these
unable to produce equal volumes and with worth revisiting. The Japanese has perfected monies should be used correctly for the de-
consistency, something Jamaica does natu- PATRICK MAITLAND the very same option after being rejected by velopment of the industry. It is, however, un-
rally. The average Jamaica Blue Mountain Publisher - The Agriculturalist Jamaica and has used it against us, suggest- realistic to be charging cess on a declining
coffee, once processed correctly, should eas- patrick@theagriculturalist.com ing to us at times that they have 2-3 years in- industry in need of life support.
ily score the specialty standard. ventory at hand, when they want to suppress The time is right for some of the cess
selves out of the market.
But, coffee in small niches, has to be prices. charged during the time of high productiv-
Historically, the JBMC has had its peri-
managed appropriately and cannot be al- On the other hand, the JACRA Act ity and plenty be set aside to create a “na-
ods of high and low demand. Usually, hurri-
lowed to lead naturally by market condi- makes it illegal for a farmer to pulp, dry, tional stabilization fund” that will be used in
canes and adverse weather conditions have
tions. The volumes of Jamaican coffee are process, roast and sell processed coffee with- times of need.
played a significant role and so our markets,
way too low to significantly dent the inter- out a commercial license. To get this license, Jamaica needs to smell its coffee and fix
mainly Japan, were unable to properly plan
national commodities market. It is therefore the farmer needs to be able to produce 6,000 the issues affecting sustainable production.
a market campaign around a guaranteed vol-
not fair to attribute the current demand/sup- boxes of coffee plus come up with a hefty li-
ume of Jamaican coffee.
ply issues as coffee dealers pricing them- cense fee.

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 com-
ments or suggestions to editor@theagriculturalist.com. Responses should be no longer than 400 words. Not all articles will be published.

OPINIONS
Bamboo: Jamaica’s next big industry boo value chains which include bamboo pulp, which are biodegradable and reusable to re-
W e have for a long time recognized that
Jamaica and the other nations of the
Caribbean Community (CARICOM) have
paper and packaging products, bamboo char-
coal and charcoal products.
place the plastic one.
The environmental agency coupled with
considerable bamboo resources, which could To support the demand for the value the Forestry Department and the Rural Agri-
play a major role in helping the countries in chain expansion the government is devising cultural Development Authority together will
CARICOM to reduce poverty, promote green ways to allocate lands and to encourage farm- create the template for sustainable cultivation,
growth, develop trade and investment and re- ers to produce bamboo in an orderly and or- harvesting and management of bamboo to
store degraded lands. ganised manner. The government has now allow for longevity of bamboo cultivation for
To address the underutilization of bam- brought the development of bamboo in sharp the supply of food, fuel and fibre. This kind of
boo in Jamaica, the Ministry of Industry, focus and has put in the infrastructure to in- sustainability will ensure and assure employ-
Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries clude collaboration and cooperation between ment creation, economic growth and the im-
(MICAF) has decided that Jamaica needs to inter and intra governmental departments and provement of the economies in the rural
move its bamboo industry beyond craft items agencies to form a solid base for a sustainable communities.
and towards the development and commer- industry. The development and value added pro-
cialization of new bamboo products. The Bamboo Industry Association of Ja- duction of bamboo derivatives is influenced
We have identified and intend to vigor- maica was formed to give support to investors by various related regulatory frameworks.
ously pursue the achievement of the benefits and government in strategy, plans and indus-
of the bamboo value chain, which now val- trial development practices. In collaboration wjchutchinson@gmail.com
ues over US$60 billion per year, and as such with the Bureau of Standards Jamaica and the
the Government has committed financial re- University of the West Indies they have spear-
BY headed and have fully participated in the de-
sources this year directly towards this objec-
tive. We intend to pursue the various
WILLIAM J.C. HUTCHINSON, velopment of standards, codes of practice
Minister without Portfolio in the towards a firm technological base and the de-
value-added products from bamboo consis-
Ministry of Industry, Commerce, velopment of a legislative framework in sup-
tent with the new focus for the development Publisher & Editor:
Agriculture and Fisheries port of the expansion of the industry.
of our agricultural sector. Patrick Maitland
Bamboo is now officially recognised and The local bamboo industry will be char-
focus of policy, research and development,
will receive the status by the Government as acterized by small and medium sized com- Consulting Editors:
transfer of technology and extension services.
a new industrial crop in Jamaica and so re- munity-based producers working within Vincent Wright, Jairzenho Bailey
The bamboo industry will provide an-
ceive all the rights, privileges and benefits ac- recognized agro production zones. These
other opportunity for Jamaica to continue to Produced & Published by:
corded other cultivated crops in Jamaica. community groups producing at the enter-
maintain its profile as an innovation-based
In response to the need for alternative prise level can be spurred by foreign direct
agricultural/agro-industrial destination. Agri Life Foundation Ltd
packaging to Styrofoam and plastics, the investment.
The traditional bamboo industry in Ja- AMC Complex,
Government will provide full support to the We therefore envisage community based 188 Spanish Town Road,
maica has been based on the use of the poles
development of Jamaican standards for the projects producing to supply large producers Kingston 11, Jamaica, W.I.
in its original/natural unprocessed form for
pulp, paper and packaging industries. This in their efforts to turn out products such as: Tel: (876) 923-7471• 923-7428
craft production and cottage industries for the
will include the use of bamboo as a raw ma- bamboo straws to replace plastic straws; bam- agriculturalist@gmail.com
tourism industry.
terial. A bamboo development working group boo plates and cups to replace the plastic and editor@theagriculturalist.com
The new bamboo industry will consist of
has been established and will receive the Styrofoam ones; bamboo knives and forks www.theagriculturalist.com
a growing number of products along the bam-
4 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • NOV-DEC 2018 WWW.THEAGRICULTURALIST.COM

NEWS

RED STRIPE’S KNOWLEDGE FORUM:

Nickeshia Reid (3rd l) of the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries (MICAF), discusses cassava varieties on display with Ricardo Nuncio, Man-
aging Director of Red Stripe, at Red Stripe’s Knowledge Forum, which was organised under the theme ‘Beyond Talk: The Commercialization of the Cassava Value
Chain, at Mona Visitors’ Lodge in St. Andrew on November 21, 2018. Others in photo are (l-r) Lisa Myers Morgan, Principal Research Director and Carla Douglas, Sen-
ior Research Director, both of the MICAF.

Agri minister calls for increased use

of local ingredients in manufacturing
KINGSTON:
M inister of Industry, Commerce, Agri-
culture and Fisheries, Audley Shaw,
is calling on manufacturers to include more
local ingredients in the manufacturing of
their products.
He was speaking at a Knowledge
Forum organised by Red Stripe under the
theme ‘Beyond Talk: The Commercializa-
tion of the Cassava Value ‘, held at the
Mona Visitors’ Lodge, UWI, Mona, on No-
vember 21, 2018.
“Brew ideas like Red Stripe,” Minister
Shaw stated as he commended the com-
pany on its innovation and enterprise in the
use of cassava in the brewing of its beer.
“Our country’s prospects for develop-
ing agriculture and agri-business lie in pro-
ducing food in which we have a distinct
and competitive advantage as well as pur-
suing product diversification through new
value-added food products,” stated Minis-
ter Shaw.
Noting that two of the three varieties
of cassava grown in Jamaica are indige-
nous, the minister said that cassava flour
could be turned into an industrial product
and posited that between cassava and
breadfruit the country could become self-
sufficient in the production of our own
flour.
For his part, Managing Director of
Red Stripe, Ricardo Nuncio, expressed ap-
preciation to the Ministry for its tremen-
dous support to its Grow Jamaica project
with the provision of land and research of
varieties.
Red Stripe currently operates four
farms on 2,700 acres of land and processes
100 root tonnes of cassava daily.

Farmers on Armyworm Alert

Continued from page 1
The beet armyworm is a destructive
pest that affects the production of onion and
scallion. Farmers are being encouraged by
the Ministry to adhere to the warning and
to implement pest control measures in order
to prevent any potential damage to their
fields.
“In the past, the value of the outbreaks
has reached as much as $140 million. If we
act now we can avoid a repeat of previous
outbreaks. We are asking farmers to work
with us by taking the necessary actions that
have been shared with them through our
Rural Agricultural Development Authority
(RADA) extension officers,” Ms. Sher-
wood advised.
he is appealing to farmers in the af-
fected areas to reach out to the relevant au-
thorities if they need additional information
about the management and monitoring of
their fields.
“It is very important to check your
fields and if you are not sure about the
measures, contact your RADA officer or
call us at 876-745-2960 and we will be able
to assist you,” she urged.
As part of the pest management meas-
ures, the Ministry and RADA have been
working closely with the Meteorological
Service of Jamaica (Met Service) to fore-
cast conditions that are favourable to the
breeding of the beet armyworm.
“The main effort we have designed, to-
gether, is early detection so now we are able
to intervene in the problem before it gets
Book
out of hand, which has happened in the
past. With this new approach, we have been
able to attack the problem before farmers
even begin to realise that the damage has
your
gone into a level of outbreak,” said Ms.
Sherwood.
Head of the Met Service’s Climate
Branch, Jacqueline Spence, told JIS News
advert in...
that the forecast for the next few months is
for conditions that are favourable to the
breeding of the pest.
The
“The current forecast from my office,
starting in December going through to Agriculturalist
about March, is for above normal rainfall,
which would mean more food for the beet
armyworm pest,” she noted.
Call 923-7471
agriculturalist@gmail.com
WWW.THEAGRICULTURALIST.COM NOV-DEC 2018 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • 5

NEWS

Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Audley Shaw (2nd left), greets Chairman, Salada Foods Jamaica, Patrick Williams, at a press briefing on
Salada’s $200 million coffee initiative, at the Courtleigh Hotel, New Kingston, on Monday, November 19. Others (from left) are Executive Director, Economic Growth
Council, Senator Aubyn Hill; General Manager, Dianna Blake-Bennett and Director, Kathryn Lewis, Salada. Salada has invested $200m in the advance purchase of
local coffee berries for use in the processing of instant coffee.

Salada to purchase $200-m coffee cherries
F ollowing months of uncertainty, Ja-
maican coffee farmers find a new
market as Salada Foods Jamaica has an-
nounced the advance purchase of 25,000
boxes of local coffee cherries valued at
$200 million.
Speaking at a media briefing at the
Courtleigh Hotel and Suites in New
Kingston on November 19, Minister of In-
dustry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fish-
eries, Audley Shaw commended Salada
for the “foresight and vision of taking a
potential crisis and turning it into what
may end up being a golden opportunity.”
Noting the downturn in the sale of
coffee berries, resulting from a high in-
ventory of Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee
in the Japanese market, Minister Shaw
said offload their product goes a long way
towards settling the concerns of farmers
who need additional markets for the sale
of their berries.
This, he said, would ensure that this
world-renowned agricultural asset will be
sold, providing that the farmers’ liveli-
hoods and investments do not rot in the
fields. This initiative, which represents a
shift in Salada’s operation from the pur-
chasing of green beans, will see Salada
partnering with Stoneleigh Coffee Proces-
sors Ltd to process cherries from the cur-
rent crop into green beans and then blend
into instant coffee.
Noting that long-term solutions are
needed to put the industry back on the
path it was years ago when 700,000 boxes
of Blue Mountain coffee and more than
400,000 boxes of High Mountain Coffee
were produced, Minister Shaw stated that
Government is committed to working
with farmers, and processors towards
charting a path of even greater success.

Shaw secures scholarships and grants from Israel

M inister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fish-
eries, Audley Shaw, returned to the island on Wednes-
day, November 28, optimistic about the prospects for
Jamaica’s agricultural sector as a result of several bilateral
meetings held during the mission to Israel.
The bilateral meetings resulted in the immediate grant-
ing of 10 – 1 year scholarships and 20 yearly short-term ori-
entation programs, to be funded jointly by the Israeli public
and private sector, which will see members of Jamaica’s
Dairy Industry, Extension Services, Medical Professionals
and Agricultural Academia, benefitting from training to-
ward aiding capacity building of the Agricultural Sector in
Jamaica.
Minister Shaw met with Israel’s Minister of Agricul-
ture and Rural Development, Uri Yehuda Ariel HaCohen;
Technical Cooperation Officers of the Foreign Ministry,
Messrs. Paul Hirschson and Yoed Magen as well as Mr.
Peleg Lewi, the Director of MASHAV – Israel’s Agency for
International Development Cooperation.
Minister Shaw was assured by Uri Yehuda Ariel Ha-
Cohen, of Israel’s interest to deepen the sharing of its vast
Minister Shaw was presented with a symbolic golden
pomegranate by Uri Yehuda Ariel HaCohen.
agricultural technological knowledge with Jamaica. The Is-
raeli Agriculture Minister further expressed keen interest in
working with the members of Jamaica’s delegation, which
included members of the Public and Private Sectors, toward
ensuring that Jamaica is able to maximise its potential in
bringing value-added products to the global market.
The mission also saw Minister Shaw and the delega-
tion dialoguing with numerous investors who signalled their
interest in technical cooperation as well as investing in the
Jamaican Agriculture and Agro Industry Sectors.
Minister Shaw also met with the Breath of Life Group
(BOL Pharma), a world-leader in the Cannabis Industry as
well as toured several facilities which included: the Volcani
Institute – the research division of the Israeli Ministry of
Agriculture, Lumir Labs – a Cannabis Center and the Kib-
butz Agro Park.
The recent mission to Israel “serves as a source of in-
spiration to Jamaica,” Minister Shaw said, noting Jamaica’s
abundance of natural resources, which he described as far
more than that of Israel. “Israel has achieved a per capita in-
come of US$40,000, with far less natural resources than Ja-
maica has. This is a wake-up call for us to get our act
together to move swiftly from poverty to prosperity. If we
apply the proper technologies and training, we can achieve
the needed food security and economic prosperity to sus-
tain us going forward” Mr. Shaw said.
6 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • NOV-DEC 2018 WWW.THEAGRICULTURALIST.COM

to all our
Advertisers, Readers and Subscribers:

Wishing you and your

loved ones peace, health,
happiness, and prosperity
in the coming New Year.
from the
MANAGEMENT AND STAFF

Agri Life Foundation Ltd

AMC Complex, 188 Spanish Town Road, Kingston 11, Jamaica, W.I.
Tel: (876) 923-7471 • 923-7428
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WWW.THEAGRICULTURALIST.COM NOV-DEC 2018 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • 7

NEWS
Senior appointments at CASE
F ormer marketing lecturer at
University of the West Indies,
Dr. Derrick Deslandes, who was
appointed over three years ago by
the College of Agriculture Sci-
ence & Education (CASE) board
of management to act as presi-
dent, was in November given a
three-year contract to head the
college, a board member told The
Agriculturalist.
Dr. Deslandes replaced Dr.
Mary Nicholas who retired in
2015.
Other recent appointments at
the college include: Educator and
Derrick Deslandes David Palmer Pius Lacan Lilieth Clarke-Sinclair
agriculturalist Dr. David Palmer
as vice-president of academic af- and senior lecturer, Lilieth Mark Gooden who has been act- original post as head of the ani- lecturer at CASE, was promoted
fairs; business administrator/edu- Clarke-Sinclair, promoted to ing in the position for over four mal science department. to head the crop science and en-
cator, Pius Lacan, vice-president, dean for agriculture replacing Dr. years. Dr. Gooden returns to his Dr. Seymour Webster, senior gineering department.
administration and operations,

Government Senator Matthew Samuda

Samuda recommends
‘closed season’ for Parrot Fish
G overnment Senator Matthew
Samuda, is recommending a short-
term and eventually a permanent ban on
the consumption of parrotfish in Jamaica.
He suggested that this could gradu-
ally be undertaken, through the introduc-
tion of a closed season for the parrotfish.
He was making his contribution to
the State of the Nation Debate in the Sen-
ate on Friday (Nov. 30).
Samuda noted that this is the mini-
mum action required for the detailed
analysis of the problem which includes
the over-fishing of the species that have a
significant role in protecting coral reefs
by eating the algae that grow on them.
The Senator said he has had discus-
sions with environmental groups and
many environmental professionals who
have put forward a proposal on how the
country can better manage its fisheries
sector.
He noted that the proposal which has
been submitted to him, and which he
shared with the Senators present, is to be
presented to the nation as a paper next
week, by a group of environmentalists
and other stakeholders.
8 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • NOV-DEC 2018 WWW.THEAGRICULTURALIST.COM
WWW.THEAGRICULTURALIST.COM NOV-DEC 2018 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • 9

NEWS

Daryl Vaz, Minister without Portfolio

in the Office of the Prime Minister

Vaz concerns about

J.C. Hutchinson Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries (1st l), in dis-
imported coffee
cussion with (from left) Lu Wenming, Deputy Director General, International Bamboo & Rattan Organisation; Dr. Carey Wal-
lace, Executive Director, Tourism Enhancement Fund; Senator Matthew Samuda, Chairman of the Standards Council,
Bureau of Standards Jamaica; and Robert Rainford, Chairman of the Bamboo Industry Association of Jamaica, at the
A government minister has raised con-
cern that the amount of coffee imported
to Jamaica far exceeds the amount exported.
Caribbean International Bamboo Symposium at the Jamaica Conference Centre in Kingston on November 27. Minister Daryl Vaz, Minister without Portfolio
Hutchinson expressed appreciation for the training which has been provided to Jamaicans in China in the production of in the Office of the Prime Minister, raised
bamboo by-products. “We are hoping that the symposium enlightened those who are not aware of the potential for the pro- the issue at a media briefing Monday morn-
duction of by-products from bamboo, for example, plates, forks, cups, bicycles, and houses,” said Minister Hutchinson. ing.
He said this is part of the major issues
affecting the local coffee industry.

2400 acre farm to provide "This has a devastating effect, not only
to the industry, but also, most importantly,
to the small farmers who do the majority of
the work and get the least return on their in-

employment for over 900 persons

By Nickieta Sterling
JIS Reporter
M inister without Portfolio in the Min-
istry of Industry, Commerce, Agricul-
ture and Fisheries, the Hon. JC Hutchinson,
says the 2400 acre farm to be established at
Holland Estate in St. Elizabeth, will provide
employment for over 900 persons.
Speaking at the 2018-2019 Irish Potato
Sensitization meeting, held at the Green
Valley Apostolic Church, Lewisville, New
Market, St. Elizabeth on November 1, Mr.
Hutchinson said the majority of those who
will be selected to work on the property will
be females.
“We are going to be looking at having
over 900 people to work on the farm. I am
just saying most are going to be women.
[However], any male, any female that is in-
terested, I am sending it out from now, get
yourselves in a formal farming organization
so that you can find work down at Holland
when the time comes,” Mr. Hutchinson
stated.
He reiterated that preparation of lands
for farming at Holland Estate will start in
June/July of 2019, after the final cane crop
is reaped by J Wray and Nephew’s Apple-
ton Estate.
He further stated that his Ministry is
currently putting in place “the programme,
whereby we will make a steady transition
for all the farmers.”
In the meantime, Mr. Hutchinson is
urging small farmers in St Elizabeth to
apply to take up lands at the Holland Estate.
He noted that lands will be leased to
mostly small farmers, with no one person
vestment," the minister highlighted.
Vaz disclosed that he will be working
with Agriculture Minister Audley Shaw to
address the issue.
————————-
CLA adjusting
plans to ensure
Jamaica benefits
from ganja industry
T he Cannabis Licensing Authority (CLA)
has sought to reassure farmers and in-
vestors that adjustments are being made to
plans and strategies to allow Jamaica to get
the health and economic benefits from
ganja.
The assurance came after several farm-
ers raised concerns on day one of the CanEx
Business Conference and Expo in Montego
Bay, St. James on Thursday.
Lascelles Chin, Chairman of the Lasco
Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Group of Companies, asserted that Jamaica
Fisheries, the Hon. JC Hutchinson (left), converses with Deputy Parish Manger at has the capacity to plant more crops than
the Rural Agricultural Development Authority in St. Elizabeth, Nathan Samuels, California and Colorado, the American
at the 2018-2019 Irish Potato Sensitization meeting at the Green Valley Apostolic states at the forefront of the ganja industry.
Church, Lewisville, New Market, St. Elizabeth on November 1. He added that Jamaica also has the labour
-PHOTO: NICKIETA STERLING and expertise, however, he said "the expert-
ise is not expert enough" so more training is
being able to secure more than 25 acres of register to come and get lands out at Hol- required for Jamaican farmers.
land. land,” he emphasized. He commended the CLA for its efforts,
“There are many persons who want to He also informed that the application but argued that more needs to be done. De-
go into agriculture, but do not have lands. period closes on November 10. lano Seiveright, Director of the CLA, who
Many may have a square or an acre but want Hutchinson told the farmers that the said there are a number of issues that are still
more land. Holland Estate is closing and Agro Economic Zone to be established on being addressed, such as a challenge with
there are a number of proposals that have the Southern side of Holland Estate, will banking. But he said a lot of progress has
come in,” Mr. Hutchinson said. prevent a market glut for their produce. been made and the industry is improving.
“Those who are interested, we are tak- He noted that the zone will consist of a With more than 500 applications and 22 li-
ing applications now and I have some young complex housing storage, grading, drying, censes granted so far, local farmers may be
people up in New Market here for them to packaging, and processing facilities. wondering what to expect.
10 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • SEPT - OCT 2018 WWW.THEAGRICULTURALIST.COM
WWW.THEAGRICULTURALIST.COM SEPT - OCT 2018 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • 11

Jamaican lettuce is safe!

By Kimmy Blair “RADA would
The Agriculturalist Writer like to assure the Thompson is also assuring the public
———————————- public that we have that there is sufficient supply of lettuce to
no reports of E.coli meet the demand of the market to include
J amaican grown lettuce is safe and
should not be confused with the im-
ported romaine lettuce which has been
contamination on
locally produced
the upcoming festive season.
The CEO is appealing to all stakehold-
banned for E.coli contaminant. lettuce. RADA is ers, hotels, supermarkets and general con-
According to RADA, CEO Peter knowledgeable of sumers to continue to purchase locally
Thompson no cases of E.coli contaminants the conditions produced lettuce as they are safe for con-
were reported on lettuce of any type pro- under which the sumption.
duced locally in Jamaica. lettuce is produced A temporary suspension of the imported
Lettuce growers are reporting that they by farmers and can romaine lettuce was recently imposed by
are unable to sell to the conventional mar- facilitate traceabil- the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agri-
kets to include supermarkets, hotel chains ity from the field,” culture and Fisheries.
and others due to the fears that local lettuce Thompson noted.
Peter Thompson
might also be contaminated. RADA, CEO

Plan to transport cane from Clarendon

to other parishes unlikely to work - PNP
T he Parliamentary Opposition has said
it is unlikely that the government will
be successful with its plan to transport
cane from Clarendon to factories outside
the parish for processing.
Noel Arscott, Member of Parliament
for Clarendon South Western, and Patri-
cia Duncan Sutherland, PNP caretaker for
Clarendon South Eastern, met with cane
farmers to discuss the proposal.
In a joint statement Wednesday, the
political representatives argued that the
Worthy Park and Appleton Estate facto-
ries do not have the capacity to process
the amount of cane expected to be reaped
and transferred from the current crop in
Clarendon.
They argued that the cost of double-
loading will have a negative impact on
the price paid to the farmers.
Arscott and Mrs Duncan Sutherland
said the situation has reached a critical
juncture.
They have demanded that consulta-
tions be held with the farmers in the af-
fected areas to determine the next move
before the next crop is finished in June
2019. Noel Arscott, MP
Clarendon South Western

CANE FARMER PARTICIPATING:

A cane farmer participating in the 69th Annual General Meeting of the All-Island Jamaica
Cane Farmers’ Association, held at the Spanish Court Hotel in New Kingston on November
14, 2018.

CASE Founders Weekend 2019

Symposium -Call For Papers
T he College of Agriculture, Science
and Education Alumni Associa-
tion’s Founders' Weekend 2019 will be
held on January 25- 27, 2019 at the Col-
lege campus in Portland.
On January 25, 2019, the Intellec-
tual stimulation Day will continue to
take the form of a symposium during
which prominent Ole Farmers and
other eminent research scientists will be
invited to present relevant papers based
on scientific adaptive or academic re-
search conducted by the presenters.
The abstract of the presentations
should be submitted by Friday, Decem-
ber 21, 2018 to be followed by the full
text of your presentation by Friday Jan-
uary 04, 2019.
All submissions should be sent to:
webstermcpherson@gmail.com;
sawebster68@hotmail.com;
ebhyatt@hotmail.com
sylvia.mitchell@uwimona.edu.jm
12 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • NOV-DEC 2018 WWW.THEAGRICULTURALIST.COM

COMMUNITY PHOTOS
National Irrigation Commission’s 30th Anniversary Awards Ceremony

Reflections: In conversation are (l-r) Senator Aubyn Hill Chair-

man, NIC; Joseph Gyles, CEO and the longest serving former
managing director of the NIC, Donovan Reid.

Send photos National Irrigation Commission’s chairman Senator Arbyn Hill (l) presents a letter of commenda-
tion to executive assistant Maxine Brown for her 29 years’ of services (longest serving female) at
editor@theagriculturalist.com the commission’s 30th Anniversary Awards Ceremony held at the Golf View Hotel on November
14 in Mandeville.

Noranda Bauxite Green House Project’s Farmers’ Training

Farmers from Noranda Bauxite Green House Project at farm in Bog Hole, Clarendon recently. The farmers participated in a training exercise conducted by Ag
Chem Plant Limited on plant nutrition and pest control.

The New Forest/Duff House Agro-Park Farmers

ALL EYES ON THE FRUITS:

Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce,
Agriculture and Fisheries, Andrene Collings and JAS president The farmers, who are based at the New Forest/Duff House Agro-Park, were presented with their
Lenworth Fulton at the recent ‘Eat Jamaica Campaign” expo held re- certificates on Friday (November 16), during a ceremony held at the facility, which followed a se-
cently in Kingston. ries of training.
WWW.THEAGRICULTURALIST.COM NOV-DEC 2018 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • 13

JAS president outlines action plan for farmers

By Jamila Francis
Contributing Writer

S everal initiatives aimed at

protecting the rights and
interests of Jamaican farmers,
as well as to promote agricul-
ture through sustainable and
profitable enterprises, were
outlined by president of the
Jamaica Agricultural Society
(JAS), Lenworth Fulton.
Speaking at a cocktail re-
ception in his honour and hosted
by Agri Life Foundation on Oct.
26 in New Kingston, Fulton told
key industry stakeholders that
strong lobbying and advocacy
for land reform, appropriate fi-
nancing and marketing are
among the strategies being im-
plemented. JAS president Lenworth Fulton (2nd l) shares a light mommet with his agricultural colleagues (l-r) Omer Thomas, Norman Grant, Pat
He further announced that Rose and Patrick Maitland at cocktail reception in his honour and hosted by Agri Life Foundation on Oct. 26 in New Kingston.
plans are in high gear to create
an official non-profit arm of the
JAS to attract charitable dona-
tions and financial grants. “The
JAS is already a charitable or-
ganisation providing service to
farmers and members at very
minimal cost. We are now for-
malising the structure,” he
noted.
During the next three years,
JAS leadership will be working
towards achieving financial via-
bility, increasing membership
and attracting local and interna-
tional partnerships.
Fulton said he is placing
great emphasis on encouraging
improvement in production and
productivity with the focus on
dairy, beef, small ruminants,
poultry, pigs, citrus, coffee,
roots and tubers, vegetables and
fruits.
“We are urging the govern- In photo (l-r) Odean Bradshaw, Store Manger and Olive Downer-Walsh, Deputy Chief Executive Officer both of Hardware & Lumber
ment not to allow imported food and Lenworth Fulton - President JAS at a cocktail reception in his honour and hosted by Agri Life Foundation on Oct. 26 in New
items including, chicken, beef Kingston.
and pork, to destroy the farmers’
investments,” Fulton said.
He also promised that under
his leadership, the JAS would
encourage farmers to consider
opportunities in cannabis pro-
duction, organic farming, nu-
traceuticals, greenhouse
farming, hydroponics as well as
the herb and spices.
The reception was staged in
association with the Jamaican
Agriculturalists Leadership
Council and sponsored by The
Agriculturalist, Jamaica Agri-
cultural Society, H&L Agro,
Agri-Chemical Plant, Fersan
Fertilizer, Jamaica Drip Irriga-
tion and Rural Agricultural De-
velopment Authority,
Fulton, who is an agricul-
turalist extraordinaire, officially
assumed the presidency of the In photo (l-r) Georgia Robinson, Marketing Coordinator, Ag Chem Plant Limited; Lenworth Fulton, JAS president; Burrell Scarlett,
JAS on Sept. 5th, 2018. CEO, Evergrow Garden Center and Hedda Rose-Pitter, Sales Manager, Newport-Fersan (Jamaica) Ltd.
14 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • NOV-DEC 2018
Strawberries again top 2018's 'Dirty Dozen' fruits and veggies
By Susan Scutti, CNN, USA:
O nce again, strawberries top the list of
the 12 "dirtiest" fruits and vegeta-
bles, according to the Environmental
Working Group.
Every year since 2004, the group -- a
nonprofit, nonpartisan environmental organ-
ization -- ranked pesticide contamination in
47 popular fruits and vegetables for its Shop-
per's Guide to Pesticides in Produce.
Pesticides include a wide array of chem-
icals that kill unwanted insects, plants, molds
and rodents.
Spinach is the second dirtiest item on the
"Dirty Dozen" list, followed by (in order of
contamination) nectarines, apples, grapes,
peaches, cherries, pears, tomatoes, celery, po-
tatoes and sweet bell peppers. Each of these
foods tested positive for pesticide residues
and contained higher concentrations of pesti-
cides than other produce.
In fact, nearly 70% of conventionally
grown -- non-organic -- produce samples
were contaminated, the tests indicated.
On average, samples of cherries con-
tained five pesticides, while nearly a third
contained a pesticide that European health au-
thorities believe causes cancer. The group
placed cherries in the seventh position among
the dirty dozen.
Sustainable agriculture must remain
key priority in post-Cotonou negotiations
By Michael Hailu
A s global business leaders gather in Mo-
rocco today (30 November) for the EU-
Africa Business Summit to focus on
economic relations between African coun-
tries and the European Union, it is timely to
remember that by 2050, the world will have
another two billion mouths to feed. Without
urgent reforms to agricultural production,
the consequences will be both destabilising
and devastating.
With nearly 10 billion people, we need
65 to 100% more food than we currently
produce and because land – already in short
supply – is limited, we know this food is
mostly going to have to come from in-
creased yields and sustainable intensifica-
tion of agriculture.
Today’s Summit is particularly impor-
tant given the fact formal negotiations on the
future of ACP-EU relations are currently un-
derway and the Cotonou Partnership Agree-
ment between the EU and 79 African,
Caribbean and Pacific countries (ACP),
which has been in place for two decades, is
due to expire on 29 February 2020.
The current agreement covers one in
every five people in the world and that in
Africa alone, 100 million young people will
enter the workforce over the next ten years
– the majority depending on agriculture for
jobs. So decisions made now could have se-
rious consequences on their future liveli-
hoods, jobs, food and nutrition security.
However, current targets set by the
African Union, to create around three mil-
lion new jobs each year in the African agri-
food sectors are not on track. And, with the
WORLD AFFAIRS
Cherries – On average, samples of cher-
ries contained five pesticides, while nearly a
third contained a pesticide that European
health authorities
believe
causes
c a n c e r.
The group
placed
cherries
in the
seventh
position
among the
dirty dozen.
Several pesti-
cides in high concentrations,
including insecticides and
fungicides, were found on this
eighth-ranking stone fruit. More than half of
all pears had residues of five or more pesti-
cides, the group found.
Pears – Several pesticides in high con-
centrations, including insecticides and fungi-
cides, were found on this eighth-ranking
stone fruit. More than half of all pears had
residues of five or more pesticides, the group
found..
By Michael Hailu
Director, Technical Centre for
Agricultural and Rural Cooperation
average age of farmers in Africa still be-
tween 55 and 60, we need a significant and
concerted effort to change course – and
quickly.
Smallholder farmers, who produce
80% of food in Africa, must increase pro-
ductivity and efficiency but we cannot
achieve this shift without making rural jobs
more attractive for the younger generation.
A game-changing catalyst for this is
digitalisation: a mobilised, tech-savvy youth
who can deploy disruptive tools and busi-
ness models have the greatest potential to
transform the status quo. With technology,
we can even bypass traditional stages of de-
velopment, making much more rapid gains.
Tomatoes – Tomatoes, ninth among the
dirty dozen, showed four pesticides on aver-
age, while a single sampled showed a variety
of pesticides.
Nearly all celery samples -- 95% -- con-
tained pesticide residue, with 13 pesticides
found on a single sample.
For these reasons, the Envi-
ronmental Working Group
placed this popular produce
in position 10 among
2018's dirty
dozen.
Celeries – tained residual pesticides. This vegetable may
Nearly all celery sam-
ples -- 95% -- contained pes-
ticide residue, with 13
pesticides found on a single sam-
ple. For these reasons, the Environmental
Working Group placed this popular produce
in position 10 among 2018's dirty dozen.
By weight, potatoes contained more
residual pesticides than any other crop, with
a single chemical contributing the bulk. Po-
tatoes just avoided the top 10 dirtiest produce,
slipping onto the dirty dozen list in position
11.
Potatoes – By weight, potatoes con-
tained more residual pesticides than any other
crop, with a single chemical contributing the
In June this year, in a prequel to the ne-
gotiations, the European Parliament empha-
sised that any future agreement must support
sustainable agricultural development.
The Technical Centre for Agricultural
and Rural Cooperation (CTA) is the only
joint EU-ACP institution operating under
the current agreement and, in more than 30
years of operating, has affected positive
change in the lives of millions of small-
holder farmers, continuously working to
sustainably transform agriculture in ACP
countries.
Under the current Cotonou Agreement,
CTA has made great strides mobilising re-
sources to equip smallholders, youth and
women with ICT knowledge to fast-track
the modernisation of ACP agriculture.
Our legacy as the primary credible
provider of knowledge to smallholder farm-
ers is unmatched – in 2017 alone, more than
1.7 million of our publications were down-
loaded, providing best practice guidance on
a whole host of topics from crop growing to
agricultural policy issues.
Now, as a leader in digitalisation for
agriculture in developing countries, we have
supported around 800 young agri-food en-
trepreneurs and start-ups that have collec-
tively reached around 1 million customers
and have enormous future potential. At least
50% of the start-ups supported under our re-
cent initiatives are women-led.
In 2017, over 230,000 farmers were
digitally profiled, improving their capacity
to better target inputs such as fertiliser and,
importantly, access lines of finance. We are
well on track to meet our targets of affect-
ing increased production for one million
WWW.THEAGRICULTURALIST.COM
bulk. Potatoes just avoided the top 10 dirtiest
produce, slipping onto the dirty dozen list in
position 11.
Sweet bell peppers round out the list of
2018's dirty dozen. Almost 90% of
sweet bell pepper samples contained residual
pesticides. This vegetable may contain fewer
pesticides than other foods on the list, but the
pesticides tend to be more toxic to human
health, the group says.
Sweet Bell Peppers – Sweet bell peppers
round out the list of 2018's dirty dozen. Al-
most 90% of sweet bell pepper samples con-
contain fewer pesticides than other foods on
the list, but the pesticides tend to be more
toxic to human health, the group says.
Strawberries topped the dirty dozen list
in 2018 for the third year in a row. One straw-
berry sample revealed 22 separate pesticide
residues, and a third of all samples contained
10 or more pesticides.
Pesticide Data Program report</a>
issued by the US Department of Agriculture
indicates that when pesticide residues are
found on foods, they are nearly always at lev-
els below the human tolerance limits set by
the US Environmental Protection Agency.
small-scale farmers and creating 5000 new
jobs by 2020.
Next year, we will be launching a land-
mark report that draws lessons from the suc-
cesses and challenges of digitalisation
across the agriculture value chain, providing
insights into successful business models that
can be scaled-up to realise the full potential
of ICTs in African agriculture.
We will also be hosting a high-level
event to mobilise resources to further the
digitalisation for agriculture agenda.
Harnessing the power of big data and
new digital technologies will play a pivotal
role in achieving increased productivity and
transforming agricultural value chains –
and, at the same time, make farming and
agribusiness much more attractive to
younger people.
It is an unavoidable fact that we need to
produce more food, which is more nutri-
tious, from the same areas of land. That
means we must encourage much more rapid
adoption of environmentally-friendly, cli-
mate-smart production systems and preci-
sion agriculture.
At this critical juncture in ACP-EU re-
lations, we want to ensure that negotiators
do not lose sight of this agricultural trans-
formation agenda and CTA’s role in it.
By applying innovation to this critical
sector we can help to address key develop-
ment challenges around livelihoods, jobs,
food and nutrition security, continuing mo-
mentum that has affected changes in the
lives of millions across Africa, the
Caribbean and the Pacific.
WWW.THEAGRICULTURALIST.COM
Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Audley Shaw (c) shares a light moment with Glenville Hall (l),
Zonal Director, West and Peter Thompson CEO, both of the Rural Agricultural Development Authority at a stakeholders
meeting to discuss the establishment of a Jamaican agricultural extension providers network held October 3 at the Medal-
lion Hall Hotel in Kingston.
RADA Receives Gender
Equality Certification Seal
T he Rural Agricultural Development Au-
thority recognizes that gender equality is
a matter of fundamental human rights and so-
cial justice and a pre-condition for sustainable
development and the achievement of its mis-
sion to promote agricultural production as the
main engine of growth in rural communities.
On September 12, 2018, the Rural Agri-
cultural Development Authority (RADA) was
presented with a Gender Equality Certifica-
tion Seal from the Bureau of Gender Affairs
having achieved specific standards in pro-
moting gender equality in the workplace. This
gesture also signals RADA’s commitment to
the guiding principles of the National Policy
for Gender Equality (NPGE).
RADA currently has a Gender Equality
Policy Statement which outlines actions to be
taken to ensure that gender equality is fully
incorporated in all of RADA’s activities to-
wards a more sustainable agricultural sector.
It is important to note that since the en-
dorsement of this Policy Statement by the Na-
tional Board of Directors in 2016, RADA has
embarked upon several initiatives to create
awareness on gender mainstreaming for staff
through gender sensitization and gender plan-
ning workshops.
It is anticipated that this kind of ap-
proach will allow for all staff to take a gen-
der-sensitive and gender responsive approach
towards service delivery and also provide a
guide for them in planning/ implementing fu-
ture projects and programmes from a gender
perspective.
The Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) Email: executive@rada.gov.jm 876-977-1158-62 Fax: 876-970-4660
Kristal Tucker-Clarke, Acting Director, Policy and Research at the Bureau of Gen-
der Affairs (r) presenting Gender Equality Certification Seal to Roslyn Jackson-
Richards Corporate Planner/Gender Focal Point within the Rural Agricultural De-
velopment Authority (RADA). Also in photo Karen Small (3rd l) and Shaniquea
Ormsby, Policy Analysts within the Bureau of Gender Affairs.
CONSERVE WATER TIPS
• Scale down on acreages under produc-
tion where possible
• Choose crops which can better withstand
drought (sweet potato, cassava) and use
drought tolerant varieties of crops
• Mulch soil
• Practice intercropping and use of cover
crops to reduce soil exposure
• Use available water efficiently. Invest in
drip irrigation
• Irrigate and/or water crops during early
hours of morning or in the afternoon
• Still consider water harvesting. Even
during dry spells intermediate rains can
provide good supply of water
• Maintain your water ponds. Do not allow
ponds to remain totally dry. Leave some
water.
• Consider water recycling from other on-
farm operations where possible.
NOV-DEC 2018 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • 15
RADA warns
farmers about
beet armyworm
threat
T he Rural Agricultural Development
Authority (RADA) is advising farmers
to take immediate steps to prevent infesta-
tion of the Beet Armyworm amid data
showing an increase in the population of
the pest.
RADA notes that Jamaica is in the
peak rainy season and farmers are currently
experiencing increased rainfall which sup-
ports the rapid growth of scallion and other
food sources.
However, it says the Beet Armyworm
population may increase under the current
conditions.
It says, based on the Beet Armyworm
Risk Assessment conducted on October 11
in conjunction with the Bodles Research
Station, there is an increase in the beet
armyworm population in areas such as
Malvern, Junction and Southfield in St.
Elizabeth.
It says other areas like Cross Keys,
New Port, New Forest and Pedro Plains
should be closely monitored.
According to RADA, farmers should
harvest all mature scallion, remove crop
waste from the field after stripping and in-
tensify the monitoring of crops at least
twice a week or every three days.
—————————-
Agri-Linkage
Exchange (ALEX)
T he Tourism Agri-linkages Project is
funded and supported by Tourism Link-
ages Network, of the Tourism Enhancement
Fund (TEF), Ministry of Tourism and sup-
ported by the Marketing Unit of the Rural
Agricultural Development Authority
RADA.
The RADA Agricultural Extension Offi-
cers play a critical part in this initiative as
they research and recommend farmers that
can grow good quality produce on a consis-
tent basis and demonstrate the capacity to
deliver. The Centre is staffed by a coordina-
tor and four Agri-Brokers with Information
Technology & Communications support.
The goal of this TEF funded project is to
increase and deepen the linkages between
the local agricultural sector and the Hotel
and Tourism sector. This is established
through operating an agriculture fresh pro-
duce internet based market linkages plat-
form and commodities exchange through
the website, agrilinkages.com.
By increasing the number of farmers that
have continuous trade relationships within
the hotel and tourism sector, it is aimed that
the importation of large quantities of fresh
produce will be drastically reduced, and ul-
timately we will be able to produce based on
the demands of the Hotel and Tourism sec-
tor throughout the year.
16 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • NOV-DEC 2018 WWW.THEAGRICULTURALIST.COM
WWW.THEAGRICULTURALIST.COM NOV-DEC 2018 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • 17

JDDB NEWS

Initiatives To
Increase Milk
Dean H. Avril, CEO Jamaica Dairy Development Board
addresses stakeholders at a recent meeting.
Production
4 Introducing the
utilization of mixed
rations for increased
productivity.

4 Enhanced fodder
conservation; hay,
silage, haylage.

4 Improved quality and

quantity of forage and
pasture for grazing.

4 Promotion of good
agricultural practices
in dairy management.

For further information contact:

JAMAICA DAIRY DEVELOPMENT BOARD
Hope Gardens, Kingston 6 • Tel: (876) 618-7107 • Fax (876) 977-9230 • Email: dairyboard@micaf.gov.jm
18 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • NOV-DEC 2018 WWW.THEAGRICULTURALIST.COM

‘Eat what we grow… Grow what we eat’

Over the eight six years Noranda Jamaica Bauxite Partners has been
leading the charge to transform agriculture by sharing greenhouse
technology and spearheading the building of sixty greenhouses
for small farmers in our mining areas.

We call it the ‘greenhouse revolution’ – helping to feed

Noranda Jamaica Bauxite Partners

Browns Town, St Ann, Jamaica WI. • 876-725-2880 • www.norandaalumina.com
WWW.THEAGRICULTURALIST.COM NOV-DEC 2018 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • 19

Farmers
urged to
step up
monitoring
of fields
By ROSHEIKA GRANT
KINGSTON, Nov. 26 (JIS):

O nion and scallion farmers in St. Elizabeth and Man-

chester are being encouraged to increase monitor-
ing of their fields for signs of infestation by the beet
army worm.
The appeal, from the Rural Agricultural Develop-
ment Authority (RADA), is in light of a surge in the pop-
ulation of the pest in the seven areas of the two parishes,
which are usually affected.
“We ask you to monitor your field twice per week,”
said Senior Plant Health/Food Safety Specialist in the
Division of Training, Technology and Technical Infor-
mation at RADA, Dwayne Henry.
“The farmers are familiar with the term scouting so I ask
them to scout their fields so they can observe the early
signs of beet army worm being spread. When the egg
sacs start appearing, it tells you that within one to three
days the pests will be hatching and will start eating your
leaves and after that, you won't be able to manage them
as effectively,” he pointed out.
Mr. Henry was addressing a recent JIS Think Tank,
where he provided tips on how farmers can protect their
fields.
More than 4,000 farmers in the two parishes are typ-
ically affected by the beet army worm.
Mr. Henry further advised the farmers to rotate their
crops after reaping the scallion and onion.
“The beet army worm thrives on (scallion and onion)
and we advise the farmers to plant crops that are not as
susceptible but will yield similar economic results such
as watermelon, tomato and thyme,” he noted.
Biorational pesticides that are non-toxic to people
and animals, and pheromone traps have also been high-
lighted as useful in preventing the breeding of the de-
structive pest in fields.
“We urge farmers to select the biorational or bio- Horace Davis poses in a field of West Indian Sea Island Cotton
logical pesticides because they do work but only if you
catch the early signs of the pest like the larvae or the
eggs. Farmers are encouraged to use the pheromone
traps to monitor the beet army worm adult population.
West Indian Sea Islands Cotton
By catching these adult worms in these traps, you drown
and get rid of those. A trap can catch up to 500 moths
and that is every two days,” Mr. Henry further explained.
making a positive impact in St Mary!
ect employs 40 fulltime workers in the growing
He added that the management of beet army worm
has to be inclusive with participation from the entire
farming community. “If one farmer executes the correct
T he Jamaica Agricultural Development Foun-
dation in partnership with agriculturalist
Horace Davis is growing some 160 acres of the
season and over 200 during harvesting.
"The lint produced is sold to markets in
farming practices and the others don't, then you'll limit
West Indian Sea Island Cotton for export, in two Japan and Switzerland. Order from the buyers
the efficacy of what one farmer does,” he pointed out.
Farmers in the two parishes are advised to contact the locations in St. Mary, Fort Stewart and Augusta determines our annual production. The project
RADA extension officers in their area for their fields to Vale. is employing the vulnerable and earning foreign
be assessed and be provided with tailor-made solutions. Davis told The Agriculturalist that the proj- exchange for the country” he added.

We will publish your technical information and photos

contact: 923-7471; editor@theagriculturalist.com
20 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • NOV-DEC 2018 WWW.THEAGRICULTURALIST.COM

EDUCATION & TRAINING

Agriculture Science teacher at Brown’s Town High, Marsha-Gaye Mason-Holt (right foreground) accepts a spray pump from Kent Skyers, Noranda’s Community Re-
lations Superintendent, to assist with the school’s greenhouse programme. The presentation accompanied the handing over of a greenhouse to the school by No-
randa Bauxite on November 29.

St. Ann Schools earn and learn from

Noranda Bauxite’s greenhouse program
S t Hilda’s High School in Browns Town
St Ann is the latest school in the parish
to be provided with a greenhouse by No-
randa Bauxite.
On Thursday November 29 the com-
pany handed over the house to the school
along with a donation of of romaine lettuce
plants and seedlings.
St Hilda’s is the 6th school in St Ann to
be provided with a greenhouse by the baux-
ite company.
The other schools currently benefitting
from this programme are York Castle High,
Browns Town High, Aabuthnott Gallimore
High, Aboukir Institute and St Christopher’s
School for the Deaf.
During a tour of the participating
schools yesterday Noranda Public and Com-
munity Relations Superintendent Kent Sky-
ers stated that the company is satisfied with
the growth of its School Green House Pro-
gramme.
“We are very happy that students at all
the participating schools are being exposed
to greenhouse technology at an early age.
“This can only enhance the learning
progress and we look forward to the expan-
sion of this programme”, he said, noting that
the school farms are being used to subsidise
canteen operations as well as to earn funds
from the local markets.
Skyers said that the feedback from all
the schools and farmers has been positive
and Noranda Bauxite will be looking at in-
troducing the programme into proposed new
mining areas in Trelawny.
“We estimate some 400 farmers from
our operating area are now involved in
greenhouse production with some reporting a
500% increase in production”, said Skyers.
Noranda’s Vice President & General
Manager Delroy Dell has said that the
schools’ programme ties in with a major de-
velopment and expansion of greenhouse
technology across Noranda’s mining area in
St. Ann.
He said that the Jamaica Bauxite Insti-
tute, the Jamaica Social Investment Fund,
Noranda and the bauxite industry continue to
develop its major partnership to expand a
greenhouse programme for small farmers in
bauxite mining areas.
Dell said that the expansion has created
60 greenhouses since 2015 in the area in ad-
dition to 50 houses established earlier at
Burnt Ground, Nine Miles, Watt Town and
Tobolski mining areas.
The General Manager said that the com-
pany initiated the project in 2009 on rehabil-
itated mined out lands as a best option for
farmers restricted by drought conditions.
Principal of St Hilda’s Heather Reid
Johnson in welcoming the donation to her
school said that “the greenhouse represents
a significant addition to our agricultural ed-
ucation programme”.

4-H assisted 1,600 youth people

T he Jamaica 4-H Clubs has assisted more
than 1,600 young people across the island
to develop livestock farms over the last five
years.
Speaking with JIS News at the Minard
Livestock Show and Beef Festival in Brown’s
Town, St. Ann, recently, Executive Director of
the Jamaica 4-H Clubs, Dr. Ronald Blake, said
that most of the young people have become
successful farmers and entrepreneurs in cattle,
rabbit, pig and goat rearing.
The Jamaica 4-H Clubs has assisted more
than 1,600 young people across the island to de-
velop livestock farms over the last five years.
He said that the movement is “serious about
strengthening the livestock sector” and seeks to
get more young people to buy into the idea of
livestock farming.
Dr. Ronald Blake,
Executive Director, Jamaica 4-H Clubs
“The thrust to have a sustainable source of pro-
tein is not only healthy for the country but pro-
vides tremendous employment opportunities.
The Jamaica 4-H Clubs, as the organisation
that has responsibility for youth in agriculture
in Jamaica, has a responsibility to ensure that
we have a cadre of young people who will al-
ways be available to become participants in the
industry,” he noted.
Dr. Blake told JIS News that over the last
five years, 95 scholarships have been awarded
for students to study animal science or other
discipline at the tertiary level.
“These are the youngsters that are coming
back in the sector to provide technical support
and to ensure that this sector remains very
competitive,” he pointed out.
WWW.THEAGRICULTURALIST.COM NOV-DEC 2018 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • 21

TECHNOLOGY
Youth – The Springboard For Digital Agribusiness
To Enhance Next-Generation ACP Agribusiness Through Digitalisation
By Rose Funja, Managing Director, Agrinfo Company Limited For example, CTA asked start-up owners If Africa is to feed its growing popu-
and Mamy Ingabire - Managing Director, CHARIS UAS attending drone training activities to con- lation, it is only fair to get youth involved
tribute to the cost of drone equipment that in agriculture, and in contributing to the
W ith youth accounting for an ever increasing share of Africa’s population, un-
manned aerial system (UAS) technology offers scope for developing precision
agriculture, while engaging young people in the critical challenge of producing more
they took home at the end of the training.
Young people were also asked to commit
economic development of the continent.
Agricultural digitalisation presents a valu-
food. Rose Funja and Ingabire Muziga Mamy – who each run a drone company in to one year of sharing their endeavours able opportunity to attract youth to the sec-
East Africa – explain the potential of this technology for agriculture, and the support after the training had finished. tor. For example, drone technology
needed if youth are to become involved. promises increased food production and
While in African agriculture the aver-
age farmer age is 60, young people are see-
ing an opportunity as digital farmers.
Youth are using digital technologies to
drive precision agriculture. This marks a
shift away from the old methods, which in-
volved substantial amounts of guess work
to determine what and when to grow, and
how to fertilise crops.
For example, unmanned aerial sys-
tem-based companies are using drones and
sensors to collect and analyse data, which
agronomists then use to advise farmers on
crop health and fertiliser options for higher
yields and better quality produce. Growing
numbers of youth working in this sector
are helping to raise incomes and create
jobs for other young people.
More investment in digital technolo-
gies, improved policies on UAS, and
awareness-raising among farmer organisa-
tions will help to ensure that more youths
adopt digital technologies and champion
precision agriculture.
The advent of climate change is af-
fecting the value of decisions made using
traditional knowledge, and the authority of
elders in making recommendations for
when and what to plant. That is because A worker uses a drone to spray pesticide on field crops
regular weather patterns do not apply any-
more. ICTs and real-time information can Expose students in their teenage
years. For youth to be engaged in digital Build capacity. Training should be The creation of new knowledge inten-
help to fill this gap, and young people are
agriculture, it is imperative that are ex- conducted at both theoretical and technical sive employment opportunities in rural
better suited to accessing and making use
posed to these technologies at an early age, levels, to ensure that trainees can perform areas, offering educated rural youth an al-
of such knowledge. This is where youth
and understand the ways that these can be the tasks independently. ternative to migration. The next critical
can have a comparative advantage in en-
used to solve various challenges in agri- Monitor and evaluate the pilot step is to set in place capacity-building pro-
gaging in or supporting agricultural activ-
culture. scheme. Continuous monitoring, evalua- grammes for youth, to enable them to
ities.
Canvas support and approval from tion and support should be provided to make use of the opportunity to provide
UAS services are provided by entre-
official channels. UAS operations touch graduate trainees. In Africa, the agricul- UAV services to farmers.
preneurs who invest in equipment, learn
multiple sectors in an African setting – the tural space is dominated by smallholders,
the operating skills, collect data, analyse
aviation authority, the Ministry of Defence who may not be able to pay for services This article was created through a
and interpret findings, and advise farmers.
and local authorities. All these should be immediately. An innovative business CTA-led process to document and share
These kinds of endeavours are particularly
consulted during the set-up stages, to pro- model must be set in place in order for actionable knowledge on 'what works' for
attractive to educated young people. The
vide input and support for the project’s suc- youth to realise profits. During the trial pe- ACP agriculture. It capitalises on the in-
benefits include accelerated data capture,
cess. riod, it is important for young people to re- sights, lessons and experiences of practi-
better and higher quality produce, and
Source initial funding. Contact de- ceive support to assist them in finding tioners to inform and guide the
lower cost of inputs, by using advanced an-
velopment partners who are willing to test some stability. implementation of agriculture for develop-
alytics to advise on targeted crop fertilisa-
new theories, and are passionate about Learn, then replicate the model. In ment projects.
tion.
youth and development. the process, it is imperative that lessons are
Our combined experience in working
Identify potential trainees. Select shared, and accordingly revisions are made
in the emerging UAS sector in the context
trainees through a competitive process, to the curriculum and the capacity-build-
of African agriculture has convinced us of
while letting them take a stake in the expe- ing model.
the importance of the following key fac-
tors: rience by contributing to the learning costs.

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22 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • NOV-DEC 2018
NUTRITION
Ways to have a healthier holiday celebrations
Courtesy of
Tina Haupert/www.health.com
Avoid holiday weight gain
If you're trying to reach your feel great
weight, the holiday period can be a very
stressful. With so much delicious food
tempting you, it's difficult to keep your
healthy habits in check. Who doesn't pile
their plate high at Christmas dinner?
If you're anything like me, however,
too much splurging on Thanksgiving often
sets off a domino effect for the rest of the
holiday season. Instead of embarking on a
six-week food fest, take control of the day
and jump-start your motivation for a
healthy and active holiday season—one
where you lose weight, not gain!
Plan a post-meal walk
As soon as you arrive at your Christmas
celebration, announce that you plan to take
a walk after the meal. Most likely, some of
your family and friends will want to join
you. Once you get a few people on board,
it'll be tough to bail out.
A brisk walk will help you burn some
calories and likely put you in the right
mindset to turn down a second piece of
pumpkin pie!
Sorrel Fruit Cake
INGREDIENTS
• 2 cups sorrel pulp)
• 7 oz. margarine
• 3 eggs
• 2 cups flour
• 2 tsp. almond essence
• ½ cup brown sugar
• 1 tsp. baking powder
• 1 cup mixed fruits
• 1½ cup cherry brandy
• 2 tsp. vanilla
• 1 tsp. mixed spice
• ½ cup browning
METHOD
1. Blend the sorrel pulp
2. Soak mixed fruits in 1 cup cherry
brandy, then blend with the sorrel pulp
3. Cream together margarine and sugar
until light
Walk around and talk to people
Rather than obsess over the food at Christ-
mas, I focus my attention on the entire cel-
ebration, including the once-a-year sights,
sounds, and people at the event.
Instead of sampling each and every
appetizer before dinner, I walk around and
catch up with family and friends.
4. Whisk the eggs. Add the eggs to the but-
ter mixture
5. Add blended fruits to the mix.
6. Put all the dry ingredients in a bowl and
combine.
7. Add the dry ingredients to mixture while
alternately with the ½ remaining brandy.
8. Add the browning and mix
9. Pour the cake batter into a greased bak-
ing pan
10. Place into the oven and Bake at 350F
for bake until done (approx. 1 hour)
Courtesy of
RADA
Plan a workout date the next morning
Instead of feeling bloated and lethargic the
day after Christmas, schedule a fitness date
with a friend for that morning—then you
have to show up!
Knowing you've committed to burn-
ing off those extra calories from Christmas
allows you to splurge without feeling
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guilty. Plus, the thought of an early-morn-
ing workout might keep you from having
too many glasses of wine during dinner!
Volunteer to help clean up
Instead of picking at the leftovers or help-
ing yourself to a second (or third) dessert,
offer to help the host clean up. They will
appreciate the gesture, and physically re-
moving yourself from the table will help
take your attention away from the food.
Cleaning up will also help you burn some
calories!
Stop eating when you're full
OK, this tip probably seems pretty obvious,
but Christmas is one of those holidays
when people plan to eat until they are
stuffed to the brim.
Instead of seeing how much you can
eat, serve yourself a small, golf-ball-size
serving of everything you want—no re-
strictions—but have only enough to satisfy
your stomach without overdoing it.
Remember, Thanksgiving is one day.
Done right, you won’t set yourself back too
far!
2019
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24 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • NOV-DEC 2018 WWW.THEAGRICULTURALIST.COM