The Tropical Farmers' Almanac 2020 - 1 PDF

7+(7523,&$/)$50(56·
7+(7523,&$/)$50(56·
$
$/0$1$&
/0$1$& ³(YHU\GD\*XLGH7R6XFFHVVIXO)DUPLQJ´
(YHU\GD\*XLGH7R6XFFHVVIXO)DUPLQJ´
³³(YHU\GD\*XLGH 7R6XFFHVVIXO)DUPLQJ´
(GLWLRQ
(GLWLRQ
J$1,500 • US$15
Digital US$2.99
33URILWDEOH$JUL,QYHVWPHQW
URILWDEOH$JUL,QYHVWPHQW
:KDWWR3ODQW
:KHQWR3ODQW
&URSDQG/LYHVWRFN*XLGH
Agri Life Foundation Ltd

AMC Complex, 188 Spanish Town Road, Kingston 11, Jamaica, W.I.
Tel: (876) 923-7471 • editor@theagriculturalist.com
Moderate Toxicity
AMITIC
Always exercise caution and wear proper safety
gear when handling, preparing and using chemicals.
Keep out of reach of children. Refer to Product
Instructions for correct usage.
ACARICIDE/
INSECTICIDE
Emulsifiable Concentrate
for the control of
Ectoparasites
on Dogs, Cattle, Goats,
Pigs and Sheep.
Active Ingredient: Amitraz
Animals should be thoroughly sprayed
twice with Amitic solution at 7 day
intervals to kill fleas, ticks, lice and mites
in dogs, cattle, sheep, pigs and goats.
Available at Hi-Pro Farm
Supplies and leading farm
Animals should not be slaughtered for
stores islandwide. human consumption within 7 days of
their last treatment.
Telephone:
984-7918/619-1302 Not for use on horses and cats.
THE PUBLISHER’S COMMENTS
Time to invest in agriculture
W e all agree that there is never a per- As a guide for investors, we are high-
fect time to invest in agricultural lighting -- sweet potato, red sorrel, ginger,
production, especially because the eco- cassava, mango, onion, yam, irish potato,
nomic and environmental conditions are tomatoes, scotch bonnet pepper, carrot,
so unpredictable. ganja, red peas, beekeeping or apiculture,
However, most of Jamaica's macro- dairy, goat, poultry, pineapple, sweet pep-
economic indicators have been positive per and layer production -- as among the
over the past four years. best agricultural investment options for
Interest rates and inflation remain rel- 2020.
atively low, and investors continue to seek However, the information provided in
safe, viable projects and high performing this publication, is a guide as the produc-
stocks to put their money. tion output may vary depending on the
The availability of low- management or other miti-
cost money and a growing gating factors affecting the
export and domestic market specific farming operations.
for a wide variety of farm For example, an unsta-
produce and manufacturing ble Jamaican currency, as
goods are enough to stimu- well as the unfair competi-
late investment in agricul- tion from imports, could
ture. likewise turn a viable project
There are also several into bankruptcy.
thousand acres of govern- Farmers and investors
ment and privately-owned should also consider the un-
lands that are available for vi- predictable weather condi-
able farming operations. tion, praedial larceny, the
At the same time, local Patrick Maitland management of diseases,
farmers are unable to meet Publisher, pests and pathogens, as well
the increasing demand for se- Tropical Farmers’ Almanac as trade and other regulatory
lected Jamaican produce and government policies.
other foods for both domestic and export Nevertheless, investors and farmers
markets. Jamaica's food imports for 2018 must be consistent with the quality and
was US$902M, while exports struggle at volume of their produce. The market, es-
US$218M. pecially the overseas buyers, are fed-up
Food imports are projected to inch up with Jamaican farmers because their pro-
to the $1 billion mark in 2020. These in- duction output is, in most cases, very "un-
clude a wide range of fruits, vegetables as reliable" and products "overpriced."
well as fish, meat and poultry which could We are however very optimistic that
be profitably produced locally. the environment will remain conducive for
Besides, there are some three million scores of viable agricultural projects, in-
people in Jamaica and perhaps another cluding food processing and other value-
equal number in the diaspora who crave added products.
Jamaican foods and products. patrick@theagriculturalist.com
Tropical Farmers’ Almanac 2020

•www.tropicalfarmersalmanac.com • 1
THE MINISTER’S COMMENTS
Opportunities abound in agriculture!
A s Jamaica continues to focus its atten- are in great demand at home and abroad.
tion on the sustainable development As it relates to livestock, investment
goals articulated in “Vision 2030,” it is im- in small ruminants – sheep and goat -- is
portant that we recognize the importance also feasible.
of the agricultural sector in achieving those In addition to primary production,
goals. there are vast opportunities in terms of
The year 2020 is therefore an impor- marketing and value-added products,
tant milestone in which we must deepen which can be pursued.
our resolve and implement strategies to Nothing that our farmers produce
achieve increased. They include: Economic should go to waste, but should, in addition
stability, growth and employment; Interna- to being used for primary consumption,
tional competitiveness; Environmental sus- also be used as raw material for value
tainability and; Appropriate climate change added products and input material for in-
responses. dustrial production, as is the
Against this back- example set by the use of cas-
ground, increased investment sava in the brewing of beer.
in all aspects of the agricul- And after all that has been
tural sector is of critical im- done, the residual material
portance. Improved land could be converted to fertil-
utilization, irrigation, im- izer and, where possible, ani-
proved agronomic practices, mal feed.
application of technology and The fact of the matter
climate-smart methods, and is that in 2020, our trade in
marketing and agro-process- agricultural produce and
ing are some of the other es- goods is still lopsided, with a
sential factors. food import bill that is out-
Audley Shaw
At the core of all of this performing agricultural ex-
Minister of Industry,
is increased production and port earnings.
Commerce, Agriculture
productivity of crops and This is against the
and Fisheries
livestock that have ready background that the United
markets and enjoy a competitive advan- States Division of Agriculture provides
tage. pre-clearance for over 50 agricultural items
To this end, the Ministry has identi- into the United States market.
fied a number of priority crops which have This includes a long list of fruits and
been selected on the basis of their mar- crops ranging from guineps to cut flowers.
ketability. Among these are cassava, Yet, we are currently only sup-
dasheen, Irish potato, yams, pineapples, red plying less than a quarter of the designated
peas, hot peppers and onions. list of items.
With our entry in the United States Opportunities abound to make a real
market and the potential for other global difference in 2020. Let us grasp the options
markets, now is the time for investment in and let us invest in our economy by invest-
mango orchards, as well as other orchard ing in agriculture!
crops such as breadfruit and ackee, which hm_ office@micaf.gov.jm

“A farmer is a magician who produces money from the mud” - Amit Kalantri
THE
Table of Contents TROPICAL
Statistics on Agriculture ……….....…../4 FARMERS’
Agriculture Production Data …............/5 ALMANAC 2020
Rainfall …...…………..…….............../6 ‘Everyday Guide to
Agricultural Contacts ……….....…/8-12 Successful Farming’
-------------------------------------------------
Profitable Agri Investment .........../13-26
Publisher & Editor: Patrick Maitland
Crop Guide ………….................../27-53 Advertising & Sales: Adria Grant
What & When to Plant ……....…./54-57 ------------------------
Consulting Editors:
Fertilizer Guide............……...….../58-61 Agri Investment:
Livestock Guide ….............…….../62-68 Omer Thomas; Britally Ricketts
Drip Irrigation .................................../71 Percy Miller: Citrus
Marilyn Headley: Forestry
Recipes …………………….…........../73 Derrick Velmont: Pigs, Poultry, Goat, Sheep
Crop Production Planning Chart.../74-75 Dean Avril: Cattle
Oral Lewis: Banana
Homemade Organic Pesticides ..……/76 Louis Campbell: Coffee
Measurements...................................../77 Marina Young: Pesticides
Weed Control Guide...................../78-79 Bryon Henry: Pimento & Turmeric
Joe Suah: What & When to Plant
Insect Control Guide .….……....../80-82 Edmond Lewis: Sugar Cane
Disease Control Guide…...…......./83-85 Alvin Murray: Irish Potatoes
Help Prevent Dengue ......................./86 Roma Roach: Ornamentals
Wayne Myrie: Coconut
Path to improved health ..................../87 Burton Thomas: Vegetables
Puzzles/Farm Jokes ............................/88 Hugh Smith: Beekeeping
Produced and Published By:
7+(7523,&$/)$50(56·
7+(7523,&$/)$50(56·
Cover des gned
by Pa r ck
$
$/0$1$&
/0$1$& ³(YHU\GD\*XLGH7R6XFFHVVIXO)DUPLQJ´
³³(YHU\GD\*XLGH
(YHU\GD\*XLGH7R6XFFHVVIXO)DUPLQJ´
7R6XFFHVVIXO)DUPLQJ´
(GLWLRQ
(GLWLRQ McKenz e AGRI LIFE FOUNDATION LTD
TIA Graph cs AMC Complex,
188 Spanish Town Rd,
3URILWDEOH$JUL,Q
——— Kingston 11, Jamaica W.I.
:KDWWR3ODQW

:KHQWR3ODQW Tel: (876) 923-7471 • Fax: (876) 923-7428

&URSDQG/LYHVWRFN*XLGH
A a me n E-mail: editor@theagriculturalist.com
h s cassava e d www.tropicalfarmersalmanac.com
Copyright©2020

“While farmers contribute to our survival, let us also do our part by
showing them respect in form of not wasting food” - Mohith Agadi
STATISTICS ON JAMAICAN AGRICULTURE

!"#$ !"#% !"#& !"#' !"#(
!"#$%&'(#)*+#,&-&'$*.$/"&0!''1&$/&234 5%56 5%56 7%86 7%66 7%96
!''&234&:;<=)*&&0>?&@1 A9BCAD 96EBDF5 99FB7E7 9EFBC75 98CBDD6
>;G;$H;/&!"#$&I(#JK(#H)&0L6661 E6E E6E%E6 9AF%F6 201 196
!''&;*&M&(K&>;G;$H;/&N(#JK(#H) 9D 97%7F 17.50 16.75 16.00
!"#$H=<+=#;<&OPQ(#+&0'((R1&0ST?&@1 EC6 EE6 EEA 228 E9D
'((R&UGQ(#+*&0ST?&@1 AE6 DC9 DC9 D87 A6E
V(;/*&;<<(H;+$(/*&+(&';#G)#*&0>?@1 99B55A CEFB898 AECB78E 597B8C9 C9ABC85
AREA IN FARMING, JAMAICA 1978; 1996 & 2007
2007 1996 1978

Hectares Hectares Hectares
Total Land in Farming 325,810 449,493 533,798
Active Farmland 202,727 273,229 311,597
Crops 154,524 177,580 230,750
Pasture 48,203 95,649 80,847
Inactive Farmland 114,048 134,204 112,524
Ruinate and Fallow 80,560 87,300 -
Woodland and other land on farm 33,488 46,905 118,039
REGISTRATED FARMERS FARMERS’ EDUCATIONAL LEVEL

PARISH #REGISTERED Highest Attainment
Primary ............................................ 97,429
ST.ANDREW 9,062 Secondary ......................................... 93,911
ST.THOMAS 15,470 Tertiary .............................................. 7,090
PORTLAND 11,193 Not Reported .................................... 11,975
ST.MARY 12,419
ST.ANN 22,755 FARMERS AGE & SEX Jamaican
TRELAWNY 9,940 Population:
Total Male Female
ST.JAMES 9,775 2,711,500
HANOVER 6,300 <25 12,356 9,436 2,473 # Farmers:
WESTMORELAND 12,241 25-34 31,890 21,301 9,479 187,791
ST.ELIZABETH 31,493 35-44 46,898 30,177 15,171 Farmers
(50 & + = 44.3%
MANCHESTER 28,409 45-54 43,846 29,133 13,293 Average Farm
CLARENDON 26,648 55-64 31,557 21,297 9,248 Experience
ST.CATHERINE 19,430 65-74 23,914 15,778 7,310 = 20 yrs
TOTAL REGISTERED 215,135 Farmers’
75+ 14,123 8,913 4,708
Illiteracy: 33.1%
N/R 6,269 3,930 2,008
Source:
Rural Agricultural Development Authority Sources: Statistical Institute of Jamaica;
Ministry of Agriculture; PIOJ
“To a farmer dirt is not a waste, it is wealth” ― Amit Kalantri
AGRICULTURE PRODUCTION DATA

Major Export Crops - Production (Tonnes) 2,014 2,015 2,016 2,017 2,018
Sugar 88,509 78,476 56,607 34,967 35,910
Bananas 51,581 54,810 58,702 64,815 66,381
Citrus 71,194 74,336 74,217 72,990 70,758
Pimento * 350 533 650 144 62
Cocoa 1,154 637 726 305 220
Coffee 5,298 5,847 7,580 6,222 7,085
* estimated
Non-Traditional Export (US$‘000)

Yams 21,961 19,406 25,759 29,496 29,472
Papayas 3,897 3,843 4,425 4,386 3,829
Ackee 12,066 13,971 21,068 15,866 15,673
Sweet Potatoes 2,626 2,576 3,062 3,335 3,161
Dasheens 1,381 955 1,444 1,496 1,861
Pumpkins 462 391 245 257 242
Fish, Crustaceans & Molluscs 12,587 10,596 11,697 12,887 9,281
Other Food Exports 25,701 18,903 27,584 31,533 30,229
Traditional Export (US$'000)

Sugar 55,784 53,813 14,777 14,362 13,751
Bananas 179 242 358 474 563
Citrus 1,732 1,276 1,806 1,175 1,080
Pimento 2,329 1,358 2,508 2,100 1,833
Cocoa 1,028 403 895 430 449
Coffee 13,479 25,197 27,584 19,402 14,624
Meat Fish and Dairy (‘000 kgs)

Beef and Veal 6,196 7,523 7,712 6,694 6,813
Goats Flesh 902 888 1,069 925 751
Pork 8,185 7,049 9,857 8,965 8,786
Mutton 22 18 12 9 9
Poultry 110,502 112,855 125,993 127,171 131,442
Fish (Inland) & Shrimp 698 646 1,021 1,334 1,512
Eggs (Million) 121 150 174 184 192
Milk (Grade A) (Million Litre) 12 12 12 13 13
Domestic Food Crops (Tonnes)

Vegetables 206,097 201,866 243,487 230,093 246,159
Legumes 4,911 4,708 5,550 5,278 4,630
Condiments 45,392 42,781 52,255 45,884 52,176
Fruits 44,446 43,467 54,255 51,894 62,127
Cereals 2,206 2,365 2,354 2,540 2,177
Plantain 39,348 38,421 43,437 46,093 49,907
Yams 135,303 136,732 156,103 144,319 148,675
Other tubers 40,882 41,166 44,893 46,229 49,850
Sorrel 1,214 1,187 1,408 1,253 1,152
Potatoes 58,988 58,749 65,013 59,144 61,594
Traditional Export Crops (Tonnes)

Coffee (Cherry)
Estimated Total Production 5,298 5,847 7,580 6,222 7,085
Blue Mountain 4,425 5,216 6,987 5,438 6,335
Lowland - Non-Blue Mountain 873 631 593 784 750
Cocoa
Deliveries to Processing Plants 1,154 637 726 305 220
Out from Processing Plants 462 255 290 122 88
Coconut
Used for planting and Processing (millions) 99 81 99 126 129
Sources: Economic and Social Survey, Jamaica, Statistical Yearbook of Jamaica

“Without farmers, we would have no food” ― Lailah Gifty Akita
About Jamaica
Jamaica
St. Ann
KSA
St. Thomas.
Portland
Trelawny
St. Mary
St. James.
St. Catherine.
Clarendon.
St. Elizabeth
Manchester.
Westmoreland
Hanover
Parishes
Jamaica is an island with
an area of 11,244 square
kilometres (or about
4,411 square miles). The
Jan. Feb
island is surrounded by
. 70. 80
103.
103. 82
346. 264
181. 136
45. 40
67. 59
53
70
92. 83
90. 109
66
94. 81
61 64
the warm waters of the
Caribbean Sea and is lo-
55
93
72
78
cated in the Tropics at
approximately latitude
209
108
104
Mar
88
71
67
68
61
60
61
56
99
91
88
18ºN and longitude
77ºW, which is about 4.5
degrees south of the
128
263
141
175
168
139
153
Apr
Tropic of Cancer or
93
93
92
89
95
91
68
(30 year period between 1971-2000)

about midway between
the southern tip of
JAMAICA’S MEAN RAINFALL

Florida and the Panama
201
158
152
162
292
141
148
189
156
139
262
235
274
309
May
Canal.
Rainy Season
145
170
206
117
161
110
127
115
216
283
Jun
95
98
93
94
Rains are seasonal in Ja-

maica, falling chiefly in
October and May, al-
117
120
170
125
131
220
234
Jul.
67
65
76
82
85
57
92
though thunderstorms
can bring heavy showers
in the summer months,
Aug
170
147
180
244
106
125
161
129
113
205
164
274
269
from June to September.

96
The average annual

rainfall for the entire is-
land is about 82 inches
202
103
206
255
243
137
141
222
172
171
229
203
254
292
Sep
(2,100 mm), but regional

variations are consider-
able.
235
169
241
287
361
160
170
200
188
209
263
257
254
300
Oct
The Hurricane Sea-

son officially lasts from
June 1 to November 30.
176
168
160
217
475
121
260
114
115
111
124
141
136
141
Nov
The Meteorological
Service, Jamaica pro-
vides Satellite weather
115
117
116
366
116
209
Dec
forecasts generally give

79
96
62
49
60
58
74
90
adequate warning so that

precautions can be taken.
Coutresy of
1773
1324
1447
1843
3439
1275
1818
1549
1276
1153
1819
1649
2081
2378
Annual
Meteorological
Service, Jamaica
“But farmers are patient men tried by brutal seasons, and if they weren't plagued by
dreams of generation, few would keep plowing, spring after spring”- Richard Powers
Audley Shaw JC Hutchinson Floyd Green

Minister Minister without Portfolio Minister of State
hm_ office@micaf.gov.jm minister@micaf.gov.jm fogreen@micaf.gov.jm
927-1731–50 927–1731–50 927–1731–50
Dermon Spence
Permanent Secretary
psecoffice@micaf.gov.jm
927-1731–50
Ministry of Industry,
Jamaica Public Holidays 2020
Commerce, Agriculture
& Fisheries (MICAF)
Date Day Holiday
1 Jan Wed New Year's Day 4 St. Lucia Avenue,
26 Feb Wed Ash Wednesday Kingston 5, Jamaica
10 Apr Fri Good Friday 876-968-7116
13 Apr Mon Easter Monday Fax: 876-960-7422
23 May Sat Labour Day
25 May Mon Labour Day Holiday Hope Gardens,
1 Aug Sat Emancipation Day Kingston 6, Jamaica
6 Aug Thu Independence Day 876-927-1731-50
19 Oct Mon National Heroes Day Fax: 876-927-1904
25 Dec Fri Christmas Day psecoffice@micaf.gov.jm
26 Dec Sat Boxing Day www.micaf.gov.jm
“If wishes were horses, beggars would ride"Saskatchewan Farmer Saying” ― Hertha Tucker
AGRICULTURAL CONTACTS
PETER THOMPSON, CEO
Rural Agricultural Development Authority
Hope Gardens, Kingston 6
execcutive@rada.gov.jm
876- 977-1158-62 • www.rada.gov.jm
PARISH OFFICES/MANAGERS - RADA

Marvin Lawrence Recorgo Holt Ruth Barrett
RADA – ST. ANDREW RADA – ST. JAMES RADA – ST. CATHERINE
197 Old Hope Road Catherine Hall, Vanity Fair, Linstead P.O
876-927-1570-1 • 927-0199 Montego Bay P.O 876-985-9194 • 985-2290
standrew@rada.gov.jm 876-952-1876 • 952-1879 stcatherine@rada.gov.jm
stjames@rada.gov.jm
Bevene Dickenson AGRI CONTACTS
RADA - ST. THOMAS Raymond Reid
Belfast, Morant Bay P.O RADA – HANOVER Agro Investment
876-982-2234 982-2205 Haughton Court, Lucea P.O Corporation
stthomas@rada.gov.jm 876-956-2252 • 956-2378 188 Spanish Town Road,
hanover@rada.gov.jm Kingston 11
Kasif Smith 876-764 8071 • 923 9268
RADA - PORTLAND Roan Vassel info@agroinvest.gov.jm
20 Folly Road, RADA – Al Powell – CEO
Port Antonio P.O, Portland WESTMORELAND --
876-993-2687 • 993-2496 Llandilo, Sav-La-Mar All-Island Banana
portland@rada.gov.jm 876- 955-2767 • 955-4446 Growers Association
westmoreland@rada.gov.jm 10 South Ave, Kingston 4
Delroy Luke Nathan Samuels 876-922-5497 • 967-3160
RADA – ST. MARY RADA - ST. ELIZABETH aibga@cwjamaica.com
Frontier, Port Maria 63 Coke Drive Donald Elvy, GM
876-994-2436 • 725-0581 966-2285; 966-2232 --
stmary@rada.gov.jm stelizabeth@rada.gov.jm All-Island Jamaica Cane
Farmers Association
Jasmine Hyde Winston Miller 4 North Ave, Kingston 4
RADA – ST. ANN RADA – MANCHESTER 876-922-3010
Claremont P.O Belair Hotel, allislandcane@gmail.com
876-972-3258 • 972-4216 Mandeville P.O Derrick Heaven, Chair
stann@rada.gov.jm 876-962-2307 • 962-0479 --
Courtney Taylor manchester@rada.gov.jm Jamaica 4H Clubs
95 Old Hope Road,
RADA – TRELAWNY Wayne Reid Kingston 6
Hague Showgrounds RADA – CLARENDON 876-927-4050/2 • 927-6239
Falmonth P.O. Box 21 Denbigh Show Grounds Jamaica.4h@cwjamaica.com
876-612-616 • 8959/4184 876-986-2123-4 • 986-2061 Ronald Blake, ED
trelawny@rada.gov.jm clarendon@ rada.gov.jm
‘Whether the farmer ever digs for it or not, it is there, haunting his daydreams
when the burden of debt is most unbearable’ - Brodie, Fawn M.
Banana Board Forestry Department Jamaica Dairy
10 South Ave, Kingston 4 173 Constant Spring Road, Development Board
bananaboard@cwjamaica.com Kington 5. Hope Gardens, Kingston 6
876-922-5347 mheadley@forestry.gov.jm 876-618-7107 • 927-1731
Janet Conie – GM 876-924-2667 dairyboard@micaf.gov.jm
-- Marilyn Headley, CEO Dean Avril - CEO
Coconut Industry Board -- --
18 Waterloo Rd, Kng 10 National Jamaica Agricultural
cocindbrd@cwjamaica.com Fisheries Authority Development Foundation
876-926-1770 Marcus Garvey Drive 17 Ruthven Rd, Kingston 5
Yvonne Burns – GM Newport East Kingston 876-929-8090 • 968-4885
--
876-923-8811-3 jadf@infocham.com
Ebony Park
fisheries@moa.gov.jm Vitus Evans, CEO
Heart Academy --
Courtney Cole, CEO
Toll Gate, Claredon
-- National Irrigation
876-987-1334-6 • 876-987-1319
Collising Clarke, principal/director
Heart Trust/NTA Commission
-- 6B Oxford Rd, Kingston 5 191 Old Hope Rd Kingston 6
executive_office@heart-nta.org 876-977-6624 • 977-6189
College of Agriculture,
876-929-3410 • 8960-7635-6 ceo@nicjamaica.com
Science & Education
Dr Wayne Wesley, ED Joseph A Gyles, CEO
Passley Garden, Portland -- --
876-993-5436-8; 889-6631 Inter-American National People's
president@case.edu.jm Institute for Cooperation Co-Operative Bank
Derrick Deslandes, president on Agriculture Lot 19 Nashville
-- Hope Gardens, Kingston 6, Mandeville, Manchester
Caribbean Agriculture iicajam@cwjamaica.com 961-0278; 962-5360
Research Development 876-927-0020; 702-4779/4780 info@npcbankja.com
Institute Elizabeth Johnson, Rep Curtis Barnett, GM
2 Belmopan Close, -- —
Mona Campus, UWI Jamaica Agricultural National Environmental
Kingston 7 Commodities Regulatory and Planning Agency
876-927-1231 Authority (JACRA) 10 & 11 Caledonia Ave
876-977-1222 1 Willie Henry Drive Kingston 5.
Cardi2@cwjamaica.com Kingston 15 876-754-7540; 888-991-5005
Gregory Robin, Rep 876-758-1442 • 758-1259 pubed@nepa.gov.jm
-- gmccook@jacra.org Peter Knight, CEO
Development Gusland McCook, DG --
Bank of Jamaica -- Pesticide Control Authority
11a Oxford Road, Kng 5 Jamaica Citrus Growers 50 Half Way Tree Road
876-929-4010 • 926-8452 Bog Walk, St. Catherine Kingston 5.
Milverton Reynolds, MD 876-708-2150-4 876-633-7769
Dennis Boothe, GM pca@caribpesticides.net
Tamara Morrison, Registrar

‘It is thus with farming, if you do one thing late, you will be late in all your work’ - Cato The Elder
LENWORTH FULTON
President, Jamaica Agricultural Society
67 Church Street, Kingston
876-922-0610-2 • adminjas114@gmail.com
PARISH OFFICES/MANAGERS - JAS

Josephine Hamilton Charles Killingbeck Kameil Scott
Kingston & St. Andrew Clarendon Hanover, Lucea P.O.
67 Church Street Kingston Denbigh Showgrounds Kameil.new@hotmail.com
jhamilton@jas.gov.jm May Pen • 986-2068 876-283-7883
876-922-0610-2 ckillingbeck@jas.gov.jm OTHER CONTACTS
-- --
Jamaica Trade
Janet Finnikin Tiffany Muirhouse
and Invest (JAMPRO)
St. Thomas Trelawny
18 Trafalgar Rd, Kingston
13 Church Street Trelawny Street
876-978-7755/3337
Morant Bay P. O. Falmouth P. O.
info@jamprocorp.com
jfinnikin@jas.gov.jm Tiffanymuirhouse12@gmail.com
www.jamaicatradeandinvest.org
-- 876-818-1643
Diane Edwards, President
Keisha Campbel --
————
Portland Shanakay Yee Scientific Research Council
11 Harbour Street St. James Hope Gardens, Kingston 6
Port Antonio P. O. 2 Lawrence Lane 876-927-1771-4
jfinnikin@jas.gov.jm Montego Bay P. O. headsrc@src-jamaica.org
876-993-3743 St.james_jas12@yahoo.com Cliff Riley, Executive Director
-- 876-952-2552 -
Domineque --
Micro Investment
Johnson-Taylor Otis Sherman Development Agency (MIDA)
St. Mary St. Elizabeth 4 St. Lucia Ave, Kingston 5
Orange River, Highgate P. O. RADA Office 876-928-5191 • 928-3513
djohnson@jas.gov.jm 67 Coke Drive berrispitter@cwjamaica.com
876-724-1370 Santa Cruz P. O. mida@cwjamaica.com
-- ottisgreg@msn.com —
Cardia Duhaney 876-966-2285 National Export Import
St. Catherine —
Bank of Jamaica Ltd.
Vanity Fair, Linstead P. O. Malonia Morris
85 Hope Road, Kingston 10
cduhaney@jas.gov.jm Manchester
876-630-1400
876-985-2265 RADA Building
lbell@eximbankja.com
--
Caledonia Road
Lisa Bell, CEO
Norman Blake maloniamorris@gmail.com
-
St. Ann 876-961-2466
— Bureau of Standards Jamaica
Brown’s Town P. O. 6 Winchester Rd, Kingston 10
nblake@jas.gov.jm Westmoreland 876-926-3140
876-323-9530 71 Great Georges Street swedderburn@bsj.org.jm
876-323-9530 Tel: 876-578-4995 Stephen Wedderburn, ED

‘Like a gardener I believe what goes down must come up’
- Giacomini, Lynwood L.
Ronald Blake
Jamaica 4-H Clubs
95 Old Hope Road, Kingston 6
876-927-4050-2/618-3142-3; jamaica.4h@cwjamaica.com
PARISH OFFICES/MANAGERS - JAMAICA 4-H CLUBS
Michael Whitely Erick Green Errol Wynter
Kingston Clarendon Hanover
95 Old Hope Road, Kg 6 Denbigh Training Centre, Tag Plaza, Jockey Road,
michael.whitely@jamaica4hclubs.com May Pen P.O. Lucea P.O.
876-360-6311 • 876-927-4050-2 erick.green@jamaica4hclubs.com errol.wynter@jamaica4hclubs.com
876-859-1941 • 876-986-7767 876-861-1327 • 876-956-3459
Melissa Trowers
Maxwell Rodney
St. Andrew Dwain Moodie
Westmoreland
95 Old Hope Road, Kg 6 Manchester
RADA Office,
melissa.trowers@jamaica4hclubs.com RADA Building,
Savanna-la-mar
876-552-8600 • 876-927-4050-2 2B Caledonia Road,
maxwell.rodney@jamaica4hclubs.com
Mandeville
876-861-0836/876-955-9551
Elaine Lindsay-Campbell dwain.moodie@jamaica4hclubs.com
St Catherine 876-360-6631 • 876-625-4770 Keisha McNeil
Rosehall Training Centre • 876-961-3599 St James
Linstead P.O. Catherine Hall, Montego Bay,
elaine.campbell@jamaica4hclubs.com Keisha Johnson keisha.mcneil@jamaica4hclubs.com
876-859-8291 • 876-985-2950 St. Elizabeth 876-859-7104 • 876-940-5360
Shop 42 Santa Plaza,
Demerce Guscott Santa Cruz, St Elizabeth OTHER CONTACTS
St Mary keisha.johnson@jamaica4hclubs.com Cannabis Licensing
Highgate P.O. 876-858-6627 • 876-966-6074 Authority (CLA)
demerce.guscott@jamaica4hclubs.com 4th Floor, Pan Jam Building,
876-579-6835 • 876-992-2210 Tedroy Gordon 60 Knutsford Boulevard
St Ann Kingston 5
Norma Myers 2 Waltham Drive, info@cla.org.jm
Portland Brown's Town 876-654-7582
8 Allan Avenue, Port Antonio tedroy.gordon@jamaica4hclubs.com Lincoln Allen, CEO
———
norma.myers@jamaica4hclubs.com 876-861-2837 • 876-917-9479 SCJ Holdings Limited
876-360-7140/876-715-3859 Lot 12, Innswood
Natanish Hines Old Harbour Road,
Kadian Francis Trelawny Spanish Town
St. Thomas 85 Market Street, Falmouth St. Catherine
c/o Rada Office, Belfast, Lyssons natanish.hinds@jamaica4hclubs.com Tel: (876) 943-4516, 943-4457
kadian.francis@jamaica4hclubc.com 876-861-1613 • 876-617-2409 sugarscjh@gmail.com
876-861-2664 • 876-982-1479 Vivian Brown, GM

• www.tropicalfarmersalmanac.com • 12
Proﬁtable Agri Investment Options
Beekeeping Cassava
(Apiculture) Manihot esculenta
T he demand for hive products has

been increasing both on the local C assava is among the most popular root
crops grown by farmers in Jamaica.
Cassava is an essential ingredient in many
and export market.
These products include honey, Latin American and Caribbean cuisines. It
beeswax, propolis, is eaten mashed, added to stews, and used
flower pollen, bee to make bread, chips
pollen and royal jelly. and has long been used
The Agriculture to make home-brewed
Ministry values Ja- beer.
maica's apiculture in- There are agro-
dustry at J$2 billion, processors whose pri-
and according to JAM- mary products are
PRO, the estimated re- Bammy, Pancake Mix,
turn on investment is Cassava Chips and
some 23 percent. Bammy Sticks.
Despite phytosanitary restrictions, Ja- Cassava is now a significant ingredient
maica can export honey to several countries, in Red Stripe, Jamaica’s most renowned
including the United Kingdom (UK), United beer, and subsidiary of one of the largest and
States, Bermuda and the US Virgin Islands. most profitable beverages and alcohol con-
The importation of honey and other bee glomerates, HEINEKEN. The company
products into Jamaica is restricted. aims to increase the use of local raw mate-
The sale of honey in Jamaica is tradi- rials, particularly cassava in its brewed
tionally measured by a 5-gallon pail, which products with a target of 40 percent by
currently fetches US$250 at the farm gate. 2020.
Several individuals and companies are now Red Stripe Beer currently uses 5 per-
involved or has an interest in the export of cent cassava starch in its brew, which the
honey to the UK and across the United company grows on its farms in St. Cather-
States. ine, along with small contract farmers. The
Some beekeepers are also directly sup- company is also providing contracts to
plying honey to shops, supermarkets and farmers for planting cassava to be used in
health food stores, and hotels. the making of Red Stripe Beer.
The cost of production for a 50-colony The production cost of cassava is
apiary is US$10,737. The first 50 hives pro- US$5,000 for a two (2) hectare project, with
duce 265 gals (1,205 L) of honey each sell- an expected yield of 27,270 kg and return
ing for US$50 or total revenue of on investments of US$12,000 under good
US$13,250 agronomic practices. Irrigated fields may,
however, increase the cost of production by
up to 20 percent per acre.
Cassava crop is best suited to be grown
in loamy soil in the parishes of St. Thomas,
• Figures are quoted in US$
St. Mary, Portland, St. Catherine, Claren-
currency and Metric measurements don, St. Elizabeth, St. Ann and Trelawny.

Carrot
Daucus Carota subsp. Sativus
T he carrot is a root vegetable, usu-

ally orange in colour, though pur-
ple, black, red, white, and yellow.
Carrots are available all year round and
can be used in
savoury dishes, Dairy
cakes, and juices.
Milk/Cattle
Jamaica im-
ported 232,000 kg of
carrot while produc-
J amaica currently imports 14,197,102
litres of milk and milk products val-
ued at US$52 million annually, while
tion locally is at local production struggles at 12-13.2
23,147,000kg. Car- million liters annually, on average, a
rots are mainly level it has been stuck at since around
planted in the 2010.
parishes of Clarendon, Manchester and Dairy production takes place
St. Ann in sandy or loamy soil with lim- mainly in the parishes of St. Catherine,
ited use of fertilizer and no manure. Clarendon, and St. Thomas. Farmers can
Initial start-up cost on a minimum obtain a profit from having a herd size
of 0.4 hectares can be estimated at as small as 10-100 animals.
US$1,688 with a marketable yield of The current market for milk is
6,950 kg of produce per crop cycle. Re- mainly to the major processing facilities
turns on money invested can be valued such as Serge Island, Jamaica Beverages
at US$20,386 per crop cycle of four and Island Dairies. Jamaica currently
months. produces 50 percent of the milk Ja-
• Figures are quoted in US$ maicans consume.
currency and Metric measurements The cost of production for a dairy
operation is based on the type of opera-
tion. A majority of dairy farmers have
small, non-irrigated pastures (1-10 milk-
ing animals). With the lowest operating
cost of $40 per liter of milk, an average
profit of $32 per litre are being recorded
LOG ON by farmers.
However, small non-irrigating pas-
www.theagriculturalist.com
tures are the most efficient and produce
www.agrilifefoundation.org up to 1,315 litres of milk per cow, per
hectare and a profit of US$790 per
hectare per year.

Ganja or Marijuana
Cannabis sativa
S ince Jamaica legalized cannabis for me- velopment, is estimated at USD$150,000,

dicinal cultivation and sale four years while expected income is estimated at
ago, a slew of investors have flooded the is- US$125,000 per crop cycle of 3 months.
land nation, lured by an ideal climate, cheap Expected returns may also depend on
labour, a friendly business environment and, various factors of operation including Pro-
most of all, Jamaica’s reputation of growing ducing for CBD Oil; Dried Buds sale alone.
the best strains of weed in the world. Marketing within an Herb House and pro-
Local investors are being en- ducing for a market mix can also
couraged to take advantage of the nu- bring returns.
merous opportunities that are While Ganja is grown in all
available in Jamaica’s cannabis in- parishes, larger acreages are
dustry. planted in St. Ann, Westmoreland, St.
The best investment option is the in- Elizabeth and Trelawny. The plant prefers
clusion of medical marijuana as a key com- well-drained soil with access to sunlight.
ponent to a holistic facility. It is chosen Persons interested in entering the
because of its substantial lower operational cannabis operation must apply and obtain
cost compared to other cultivation and its one of the five license types from the
high rate of return on investment. Cannabis Licensing Authority. The licens-
On a minimum 1/4 hectare of land with ing application fees range from US$300 for
2508 Sq. Meter of greenhouse spaces is es- individuals and US$500 for others. The cost
timated to produce a maximum of 125 Kg of the license for cultivation is US$3,000
of dried inflorescence of cannabis. The ini- per annum depending on the license type.
tial project cost, including infrastructure de- Other licensing types have various fees.
Ginger
Zingiber officinale
J amaican ginger is renowned for its high October/November and are ready for har-
quality and flavour and oil content. The vest between December and January.
markets with highest potential for the global Ginger is produced mainly in the hilly
export of Ginger are the United States of areas of central Jamaica, where the parishes
America, Japan and Pakistan. of Manchester, Clarendon, St.
Imports for ginger currently Ann and Trelawny in clay
stands at 57,922kg valued at loam soil with a good supply
$US 322,277 with the highest of organic matter.
imports of ginger coming A ginger farm is a highly vi-
from Thailand weighing a able proposition. The crop can
total of 35,859kg. be produced on 0.4 hectares of
Ginger is an annual land requiring US$4,081 for
flowering plant whose rhizome, ginger root the cost of production.
or ginger, is widely used as a spice and folk The expected yield is 6,075kg per
medicine, once planted, grow year after hectare. Profit from producing 0.4 hectare
year. Plants mature and turn yellow around amounts to US$15,300.
Goat Irish Potato

I n 2018, Jamaica imported approxi-
mately 1,277,813 kg of goat meat
(chevon) valued at US$4.40M while local I
Solanum tuberosum
rish potato is one of Jamaica’s main
crops planted by farmers, with Jamaica
production is only 770,565 kg. near self-sufficiency in Irish potato pro-
Several goat farmers are currently in- duction over a decade ago.
vesting in rearing goats for milk produc- Irish potato is
tion. There are great mainly planted in
opportunities for goat Manchester, which
farmers to supply the produces some 70 per-
market with more than cent of the Irish pota-
meat, especially the toes reaped in
specialty restaurants Jamaica. The crop is
which use the value- also planted in the
added products. parishes of Clarendon
The Small Rumi- and St. Elizabeth. Irish
nants Association of potato prefers sandy
Jamaica is seeking to work with local loam soil high in organic matter and has
farmers to produce high-quality meat ani-
excellent exposure to sunlight.
mals while exploring the potential of in-
RADA, along with The Ministry of
creasing goat milk production for
Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and
value-added products such as goat cheese,
Fisheries, have launched a national Irish
yoghurt and soaps for the local market.
Potato Production Program aim at reduc-
Goat rearing takes places mainly in
ing imports, self–sufficient and providing
the parishes of St. Andrew, St. Catherine
more income for the farmers.
and Clarendon. Cost of production for a
On a minimum acreage of 0.4-
35-doe unit over five years is US$26,718,
profited at US$37,654 over the same pe-
hectare, cost of production can be esti-
riod from the sale of manure, animals and mated at US$3,356 with a yield of 6073.5
meat. kg.
The projected return of investment
• Figures are quoted in US$ amounts to US$17,814 over each crop
currency and Metric measurements cycle.
DISCLAIMER
The opinions or suggestions expressed in this publication are for general
information only. We do not intend to imply that the listing of any products,
companies or organisations is an endorsement over others. Always seek
professional and legal opinions before engaging in any agribusiness ventures.

Layer Mango
Egg Production Mangifera Indica
J amaica produced approximately

192,205,249 kg of eggs while importa-
tion was 582,000 kg valued at US$ 5,030
J amaican mangoes are always in very
high demand, both for local and the ex-
port markets. The fruits can be used to
in 2018. Approximately 500 egg farmers make chutneys, pickles and other green
with capacity ranging from 25-60,000 hens mango products.
constitute the industry. Julie Mango, East Indian Mango,
The national Hairy Mango, Bom-
flock size about bay Mango, Blackey
786,000 hens and 90 Mango, Green and
percent of egg farm- Red Mango, Number
ers purchase a “ready 11 Mango and Stringy
to lay pullets.” Mango are among the
All fertile eggs varieties in high de-
are imported. The
mand.
ready to lay pullets
The United States
are the sold to farmers
Department of Agri-
by Jamaica’s two
culture (USDA) re-
main poultry companies (Caribbean Broil-
cently resumed clearance of mangoes from
ers and Jamaica Broilers). The preferred
Jamaica to that country. This initiative is
breeds are: Isa Brown, Bovan Brown and
already creating more opportunities to ex-
Hyline.
port Jamaican mangoes, not only in the
Per capita consumption of eggs in Ja-
US, but the United Kingdom and Canada.
maica is <50 eggs; consumers prefer
The cost to establish one hectare and
brown eggs. Small egg farmers supply 35
maintain the crop to first economic bearing
percent of the market; layer birds require
at five (5) years is US$2,380. Once the
16 hours of lightning for optimal produc-
plant is fully established in five years, it
tion. Layer birds have an economically
has the potential to generate income in the
valuable production cycle of 15 months,
producing one egg per day. amount of US$12, 000 per hectare per
Egg production/operation mainly year.
takes place in the parish of St. Catherine Mangoes are widely grown in or-
and also St. Elizabeth, St. Ann, St. Mary, chards in various parishes including St.
Westmoreland and Clarendon. Thomas, St. Catherine, St. Elizabeth,
For a small-scale farmer, to obtain Trelawny, St. Mary, St. James, Hanover,
profitability requires a minimum of 500 St. Andrew and Westmoreland. Mangoes
ready to lay pullets, and a well-constructed prefer sandy or loamy soil, but it will also
layer house 6x12 M (20x40ft). do very well in soils with a high percent-
Cost of production can be estimated age of clay.
at US$23,466 with a marketable yield of
275,000 eggs over the 18 months profited • Figures are quoted in US$
at US$36,666 over the period. currency and Metric measurements

Onion Pineapple
Allium cepa Ananas comosus
T he relatively high volume of fresh onion

import presents a huge market opportu-
nity for “ramping” up to local production.
P ineapple production in Jamaica has
been sold mainly on the local fresh fruit
market. In 2017, Jamaica produced
Local consumption of fresh onions is ap- 25,848,000 kg and imported only 1000kg.
proximately 900 tonnes, of which local Pineapple can be produced all year round,
farmers supply an estimated 10 percent. but the bulk of harvest comes in between
The local production of onions, there- May and July each
fore, presents a viable year.
investment opportu- Approximately
nity as local con- 78 percent of the an-
sumers continue to nual pineapple pro-
demand locally production occurs over
duced fresh produce. the six (6) month pe-
Consumers are also riod from April to
becoming more envi- September.
ronmentally conscious Pineapples are grown
and are concerned about the processes used across the country but
to lengthen the shelf life of imported food. mainly in the parishes of St. Catherine and
Onions are available in fresh, frozen, St. Mary. The crop can be grown on wide
canned, caramelised, pickled, and chopped range of soils in Jamaica.
forms. The dehydrated product is also avail- However, sandy loams with acid lev-
able as a sliced, ring, minced, chopped, gran- els of PH 4-6 is preferred for optimal
ulated and powdered forms. Onion powder growth.
is a seasoning widely used when the fresh in- The Ministry of Industry, Commerce,
gredients are not available. Agriculture and Fisheries is seeking to sub-
A minimum of 2-hectare investment re- stitute at minimum 86 percent of imported
quired is US$25,613 with a marketable yield pineapple juice concentrate in the near to
of 45,455 kg, profited at US$133,334. Onion medium term.
can be exported fresh or chilled, shredded or This will require an additional 80
powdered or naturally dried. hectares to satisfy raw material supply to
the concentrate production market. The
• Figures are quoted in US$ Ministry is also seeking to increase the vol-
currency and Metric measurements ume of fresh pineapple available for local
consumption to facilitate year-round supply
to local consumers including the tourist in-
For the latest news dustry.
and views of farming On a minimum of 0.4 hectare of land,
The Agriculturalist the cost of production for a three (3) year
period is approximately US$8,543 while
Newspaper averaging yield at 27,373kg. Projected re-
turns could amount to US$80,294 over a 3-
www.theagriculturalist.com year basis.

Poultry
Broiler/Chicken Meat
C hicken meat is prevalent in the diet of the meat is supplied to restaurants and
most Jamaican. In 2017, some housewives.
140,000,000 kg of meat was consumed. Caribbean Broilers and Jamaica
During the same period, 22,865,000 kg of Broilers, under their contract famers’ pro-
poultry meat was imported, while local gramme, provide a very viable business
production stood at 128,289,945 kg. venture for medium to large scale farmers
Several hundred small and large- in St. Catherine and Clarendon.
scale farmers tend to gravitate towards Farmers contracted to Caribbean
chicken rearing. The small-scale back- Broilers need a start-up capital of
yard farming operations is very popular US$1M includes a standalone gener-
across the island. A small farmer ator, labour, two tunnel houses,
would need a minimum of ¼ acre water tanks and fencing of the
of land or (0.1619 hectares) to location. The cost for feed
construct a 3 x 3 M birdhouse and the birds for the 6-week
with a slaughtering area. rearing period will be de-
The total start-up cost would be ducted from the overall profit
an average of US$500, which is fixed after the birds are slaughtered.
and includes the construction of hous- The tunnel houses can hold up to
ing, equipment and slaughter- 40,000 birds and should
ing area. With an operating weight an average of 2.25 kg.
expense of US$300 for each batch of birds The farmers are paid US$14,600 per house
(100 birds), a marketable yield of 400lbs per batch of birds based on mortality rate
(182 kg) and a profitable return of over each year. The meat is processed and
US$480. The batch cycle is six weeks, and marketed by the company.
When you don’t have the internal expertise

for an initiative, our experts can help!
Agribusiness consulatants • Marketing/Promotion

• Project Management • Research/Development
Patrick Maitland
AGRI LIFE FOUNDATION LTD
AMC Complex, 188 Spanish Town Rd, Kingston 11, Jamaica W.I.
Tel: (876) 923-7471 • Fax: (876) 923-7428
E-mail: patrick@theagriculturalist.com

Red Peas
Phaseolus vulgaris
R ed Peas are in high demand

with a total of 927,000 kg
produced locally in 2017 and a
Red peas prefer to be planted
in full sun exposure in well-drain-
ing soil and are mainly planted in
total of 7,247,000 kg imported Clarendon, St. Catherine and St.
valued at US$7.2 M. Elizabeth.
Red peas are a healthy di- The start-up cost for a 0.4-
etary inclusion. They have an- hectare plot can be estimated at
tioxidant properties, folic acid, US$1,094 with a marketable
vitamin B6 and magnesium, not yield of 415 kg, profited at
to mention they are a rich source US$2,435.
of cholesterol-lowering fibre.
Red Sorrel
Rumex acetosella
R ed sorrel is a leafy tropical

plant that grows low to the
ground on slender limbs, which
chester, St. Elizabeth and Claren-
don. With Clarendon produces
approximately 160 hectares an-
prefers sandy loam soil, with a nually.
PH of 4.5-8.0 and abundant sun- The main cultivars are Manches-
shine. ter, Black Manchester, Bashment
Red Sorrel is used to flavor Type and Traditional.
drinks and make jams, jellies, After harvest, the crop should be
wine, and sauces in the many adequately stored and moved to
parts of the world. It is also dried the market in the shortest possi-
and used as a natural colouring. ble time. Reaping is done over
The anglophone Caribbean countries eight weeks.
use it as a traditional Christmas drink (also Red sorrel may be grown on a mini-
called sorrel) that may be mixed with mum one hectare of land at the cost of
spices and rum. US$8,645 and yield up to 24,000 kg val-
The main producing parishes in Ja- ued at US$70,400.
maica are St. Thomas, St. Catherine, Man- • Figures are quoted in US$
currency and Metric measurements
For the latest news and views of farming

The Agriculturalist Newspaper
-----------------------

Sweet pepper
Capsicum annuum
S weet pepper production in Jamaica has produce the largest and healthiest fruit.
become one of the most planted crops
in the greenhouse operation. Ja-
Fresh sweet peppers have a mild
flavour and a crisp, crunchy texture
maica produced some that make them a popular addition
18,282,000 kg of sweet peppers to salads and vegetable trays.
in 2017. They are also sautéed, baked,
Sweet pepper production is grilled, and roasted.
mainly done in the parishes of On a minimum of 0.4 hectare
Manchester and St. Ann. of land, cost of production for
The crop prefers to be grown the (4) four-month crop will av-
between sandy and loamy soil erage at US$3,041 with a mar-
which will ensure that the soil drains ketable yield of 6,100 kg, profited at
well and warms quickly with an acidic to US$26,840.
neutral PH, the plants require full sun to
Scotch Bonnet
Capsicum Frutescens
T here are many varieties of

hot pepper. However, the
ones that are of economic impor-
nual boom and bust cycles with
increased supply during the first
quarter and tapers off during the
tance in Jamaica are the Scotch latter part of the second to third
Bonnet and West Indian Red. quarter.
The demand for hot peppers The amount of start-up invest-
is very high on both the local and ment depends on the type of op-
export market. eration, whether the field is
The main export markets are irrigated or not.
the USA, UK and Canada. De- On a minimum of 1 hectare of
pending on the overseas demand, land, the cost of production is es-
the quality may vary to supply both the timated at US$2,333, while averaging
fresh as well as the processing industry. yield at about 9,500 kg/ha. Projected re-
Scotch bonnet peppers can be used turns could amount to US$41,800.
fresh in cooking as a spice and in the man- The plant does best in conditions of
ufacture of sauces and seasoning. free draining and fertile soil, exposure to
Farmers are being encouraged to se- at least 80 percent sunshine. Scotch Bonnet
cure contractual arrangements before is mainly planted in Westmoreland, St.
planting a crop, which reduces the risk of Elizabeth, Manchester, St. Thomas, St.
losses if proper storage is not available. Ann and St. Mary.
Sweet pepper production goes through an-
• Figures are quoted in US$

Sweet Potato
Ipomoea batatas
B esides being delicious,

sweet potatoes have a wide
range of health and beauty bene-
cultivars now propagated are Up-
lifter, Yellow Belly, Blue Bud,
Clarendon, Mother Edwards,
fits we all could appreciate. The Quarter Million, and Six weeks.
crop is in demand, both on the The ideal production areas
local and export markets. are Manchester, St. Elizabeth, St.
Sweet potato is used on the Catherine, St. Ann and St. James.
local market by housewives, su- The tuber should be round,
permarkets, green groceries, ho- oval or elongated with no un-
tels and restaurants. usual outgrowths and be 225
The export markets require that the gram to 0.5 kg in weight.
tubers must be free from bruises, blem- The current cost of production for 0.4
ishes and chemical residue. hectares of sweet potato is estimated at
The sweet potato does best on fertile, US$2,260, with an estimated average
friable, well-defined, free-draining soils. yield of 7,059.75.kg. The return is valued
The crop can be cultivated all year round, at US$6,656.
as long as moisture is available. The main • Figures are quoted in US$
Tips for success in agriculture

• Manage operating risk. Keep cash
costs and land rents in line with
revenues.
• Manage money and capital.
• Protect your working capital.
• Emphasize execution.
• Do fewer things better.
• Increase margins.
• Use time efficiently.
• Identify areas that lose money.
• Hire skilled employees.
• Generate more volume with less
investment.
• Practice operational excellence.
• Focus on product and process
innovation.
• Understand your customer and what
you can do to create value for him or her.

Tomatoes
Lycopersicon esculentum
T he production of tomato pres-

ents a viable investment op-
portunity as local consumers
production to allow continuous
yearly supply.
Tomatoes are grown in well-
continue to demand locally pro- drained soil with access to sun-
duced fresh produce. light. The crop is grown from
Consumers are also becom- seeds and is very susceptible to
ing more environmentally con- pest and disease. Therefore,
scious and are concerned about proper care and management is
the processes used to lengthen the required. Manchester, Clarendon,
shelf life of imported produce. St. Ann and St. Elizabeth are the
The introduction of growing main tomato-producing parishes.
crops under protected structures added a On a minimum of 0.4 hectares of land,
new dimension to the production of toma- a farmer can expect to produce 6,984 kg of
toes. Farmers growing tomato under pro- marketable yield with a cost of production
tected structures realized improvement in of US$4,457, while estimated profitable at
the quality of products and that it was com- $US20,486.
parable to the imported fresh tomatoes. The cost of production per kilogram
Farmers have now adopted technol- was estimated at J$64.96/kg. The estimates
ogy such as applying nutrients in the liquid assumed 10,892 plants per acre, an esti-
form in open field operations. mated marketable yield of 22kg with an
This has resulted in increased yields average farmgate price of J$126/kg, thus
and provided there is water available, there deriving a profit margin of 52%.
is an opportunity for better scheduling of
• Figures are quoted in US$ currency and Metric measurements
PHYTOVIVA SERVICES (INTERNATIONAL) INC.

International Agricultural Development Consultant
OMER THOMAS
Principal Counsel and President
• Laboratory services P.O. Box 1788
• Plant disease diagnostic services Kingston 8, Jamaica WI
• Business development 876- 574 -0123 • 876-90- 9995
• Project development and implementation phytovivaservices@yahoo.com
• International Agricultural Trade www.phytovivaservices.com

Yam
Dioscorea alata
Y am is one of the main sta-

ples with a Jamaican meal.
The local market consumes ap-
The most economical acreage
for investment by small farmers
is one (1) hectare at the cost of
proximately 80 percent of the approximately US$4,240 for a
yams produced. It is rumoured new entrant farmer producing
that Jamaican yellow yam is the yams by the traditional method.
secret to Jamaica’s track ath- The average yield is about
letes’ Olympic success. 17,000 kg/hectare with a total
Renta, St. Vincent, Yampie return on investments of
and Tau yam are some of the US$37,400.
other varieties that are in de- Yams are grown almost in
mand by the local market. every parish, but the parishes
Earning some US$29.49 million in that are responsible for over 70 percent of
2018, Yam is among Jamaica’s top export national production is Trelawny, Manches-
crop, outperforming banana and manufac- ter, St. Ann and Clarendon. Yams can be
tured sugar by over 50 percent. Yellow, grown in almost any soil type but do best
Negro and Sweet yam varieties are in sig- on soils that are loamy to moderately
nificant demand in the US, UK, and Cana- clayey.
dian markets.
Other Agricultural Business Ideas

Growing Flowers or ornamentals - If Strawberry - The strawberry industry
you are looking for a high-value spe- presents an opportunity for Jamaica to
cialty crop that can produce an income invest in a high value and high return
in the first year, take a look at growing crop.
flowers for profit. Urban Agriculture - You don’t need a
Herbs and miracle plants- Growing huge space to get into the agriculture
the most popular culinary and medici- business. If you have a city or suburban
nal herbs is a great way to start a prof- home, you can still plant some crops in
itable business. These include small or vertical containers to get the
Dandelion; Leaf of life; Soursop; Com- most out of your space.
frey Leaves; Periwinkle; Spanish Nee- Organic Gardening - You could spe-
dle; Sarsaparilla; Fever Grass; Cerassee cialize in organic gardening practices so
and Aloe Vero. you can market your products to health
Mushrooms - For those without space and eco-conscious consumers.
to garden, growing mushrooms for
profit can produce a great return in a
small space.
Is agriculture a good investment?

• No More Risk Than the Stock Market.
• All investments contain risk, but investing in agriculture isn't
more risky than other asset classes.
• Real assets, like income-producing agriculture, provide a hedge
against inflation, and are an attractive investment for a diversified
portfolio.
• Interest rates and inflation remain relatively low.
• Investors continue to seek safe, viable projects and high performing
stocks to put their money.
• Economic stability, growth and employment
• International competitiveness
• Environmental sustainability and appropriate climate change re-
sponses.

RESOURCES
Lands and Marketing Facilities
• The Agro-Investment Corporation is custodian of over 2,000 hectares (4,942.13 (
acres) of arable, state owned agricultural land, which it is making available to in- P
vestors. The Corporation is also responsible for the management of the Agricultural 1
Marketing Corporation (AMC) which owns over 9290.3 sq. meters (100,000 sq. ft) J
of rentable space at the Export Complex located at 188 Spanish Town Road, Kingston
11, and at out stations in Wait-a-Bit, Trelawny; Christiana, Manchester; Browns O
Town, St. Ann; Darliston, Westmoreland and Guys Hill, St. Catherine to investors M
within the agricultural sector. -
T
• SCJ Holdings Limited (SCJH) has the responsibility of the management of over
C
55,000 hectares of land located in several sugar-dependent communities spanning
32 political constituencies in six parishes.
1
Product Development K
• The Scientific Research Council (SRC) is Jamaica’s principal public sector 8
agency responsible for the fostering and coordination of scientific research, and the c
promotion of its application. The majority of research and development work done
by the Council is determined by the Government’s national interest or significance.
However, the SRC also undertakes funded research projects, which can be contracted
by individuals, private companies or multinational agencies.
Business Registration
• The Companies Office of Jamaica seeks to facilitate ease of doing business in Ja-
maica by providing easy to use, efficient registration systems which will promote
business regulation and deliver accurate information to all stakeholders
DISCLAIMER
The opinions or suggestions expressed in this publication are
for general information only. We do not intend to imply that the
listing of any products, companies or organisations is an endorsement
over others. Always seek professional and legal opinions
before engaging in any agribusiness ventures.

‘Every calling is great when greatly pursued’
- Mother Teresa
CROP GUIDE
ble. Complete reaping, prune. Apply
AVOCADO third dressing of fertilizer to existing
January: Reap late-maturing varieties trees, using 10:10:10; maintain slug con-
e.g., Collinson or Lula; control slugs trol using Metaldehyde bait.
with metaldehyde bait; and spray with November: Intercrop with short-term
fungicide to control scabs. low-growing crops, e.g. vegetables, peas;
February: Complete reaping of latema- fertilize newly planted trees with sul-
turing varieties - Collinson and Lula; phate of ammonia; reap out-ofseason va-
start preparing mounds for planting; rieties, e.g. Lula; and control weeds.
spray with fungicide to control December: Reap late-maturing va-
scabs; rieties e.g., Lula and Collinson;
March: Prepare mounds for continue intercropping with
planting, on free-draining short-term crop-like veg-
soils; spray with fungicide etables; fertilize newly
to control scabs. planted trees. Make
April: Continue spraying to sure that red mite is
control under control.
scabs; apply Metaldehyde bait.
May: Control slugs with Metaldehyde
bait; continue applying NPK fertilizer;
Avocado is
set to new fields or supply existing ones Incredibly Nutritious
with budded or grafted plants. • What we refer to as “avocado” is
June: Supply existing fields with budded the fruit of the avocado tree, called
or grafted plants; control slugs with Persea americana.
Metaldehyde bait. • This fruit is prized for its high nutri-
July: Begin reaping early fruits; avoid ent value and is added to all sorts of
damage caused from dropping. dishes due to its good flavor and rich
August: Prepare mounds on free drain- texture. It is the main ingredient in
ing soils; weed young plants; wash plant guacamole.
trunks with mixture of lime and Metalde- • These days, the avocado has be-
hyde to control slugs and prevent sun- come an incredibly popular food
burn; continue reaping. among health conscious individuals.
September: Establish fields with budded It is often referred to as a super-
or grafted plants; fertilize with NPK food… which is not surprising given
10:10:20 or 16:9:18 fertilizer; control its health properties.
slugs; continue reaping. • There are many kinds of avocados,
October: Continue planting; apply sec- and the shape (from pear-shaped to
ond fertilizer dressing; control slugs; put round) and color (from green to
in fall plants; intercrop where practica- black) can vary between them.

‘God doesn't look at how much we do, but with how much love we do it’
- Denis Waitley
as well as the fall period. Apply sulphate of

BANANA ammonia or urea to spring plants; fertilize
January: Protect fruit, trim and sleeve ratoon plants with NPK15-5-35; sleeve
young bunches; prune and clean fields; young bunches; prune and clean fields; con-
apply nematicide/insecticide for controlling trol leafspot and weeds.
borer and nematodes. Contact your field of- June: Fertilize spring plants with NPK 15-
ficer of the Banana Board Research Depart- 5-35. Bunch care and sleeve young bunches,
ment (BBRD) for advice on disease and control leafspot. Consult the BBRD for ad-
insect control. Control leafspot disease. vice. Propping is necessary. As part of dis-
Propping is necessary. Part of disaster miti- aster mitigation strategy it is best to plant in
gation strategy. Catastrophe fund registra- May/June to minimize risk of hurricane
tion before January 31st each year. damage.
February: Apply fertilizers, NPK July: Begin preparation for fall planting,
15-5-35 and sulphate of am- arrange for land preparation and suckers.
monia or urea. Soil and Reduce thrip damage by sleeving shoots
leaf analysis from the early; control leafspot, borer and
BBRD should be used nematodes. Propping is
to determine fertilizer necessary.
requirements. Bunch August:
care and sleeve young S l e e v e
bunches. Make prepa- bunches early,
ration for spring plant- continue preparation for
ing. Control leafspot, fall planting. Fertilize fields, control
control weeds. Propping is neces- Leafspot. Propping is necessary.
sary. September: Prune and clean existing fields;
March: Begin spring planting; protect plant new fields; ensure proper drainage to
fruits; trim and sleeve young bunches; con- meet rainy season; control leafspot disease;
trol borers and nematodes; continue control apply NPK 15:5:35 fertilizer; bunch, care
of leafspot disease; clean trenches to ensure and sleeve young bunches. Propping is nec-
good drainage. Prune fields. Propping is essary.
necessary. Report any strange symptoms on October: Plant new fields; ensure that
any part of the banana and plantain plants or proper drainage is maintained; continue to
fruits to the Banana Board. protect fruits, trim and sleeve bunches; con-
April: Complete spring planting; control trol leafspot. Propping is necessary.
borers and nematodes; prune and clean November: For best results, apply fertiliz-
fields. Contact the Banana Board to ensure ers based on the recommendations from the
your new banana fields’ propping is neces- sampling and testing of soil and leaf tissues
sary. Attend training sessions, meetings and carried out by the guidance of the Board’s
field days to learn new methods to produc- Field Officer. In the absence of recent test-
tion and productivity. ing, 112 to 224 grams (or 4 to 8 ounces) of
May: As part of disaster mitigation strategy 15.5.35 can be applied every 6 to 12 weeks
it is best to plant in May/June to minimize for ratoon fields with intermittent applica-
risk of hurricane damage. However this can tion of urea or sulphate of ammonia.
also be done at the onset of the spring rains Continued on page 29

‘He who is filled with love is filled with God himself’
- Mother Teresa
July: Remove gormondizers - start early

COCOA pruning by removing extra chupons. Mon-
January: Monitor field for Black Pod Dis- itor shade in newly established fields.
ease and rat-cut pods - place them in open August: Commence heavy pruning in
area and burn. Pay close attention to spring crop areas. Prepare holes for full
Shade Management with 30% shade rec- planting. Continue monitoring Shade and
ommended in bearing cocoa fields. Excess Rat Damage.
shade encourages the development and September: Continue reaping all mar-
spread of Black Pod disease. Good field ketable beans to your collector. Rat control
sanitation is key to controlling Black Pod. and Black Pod monitoring should also be
Reap and supply all marketable beans. continued. Maintain good field sanitation.
February: Continue October: Continue reap-
monitoring for Frosty ing all market-able beans.
Pods; Black Pod and Rat Rat and Black Pod Con-
Damage. Pay special at- trol must also be contin-
tention to Shade Manage- ued.
ment and Field November: Pruning and
Sanitation. Reap and Shade Man-agement must
supply all marketable be monitored. Reap and
beans. supply all marketable
March: Start preparing beans.
land for Spring planting (on the advice of December: Continue fall planting; Con-
your Cocoa Officer). Make request for tinue to monitor Black Pod disease. Start
seedlings for Fall planting. Plant ba- field sanitattion activities; weed control; re-
nanas/plantains 8’ x 8’ for temporary shade. moving rat and Black Pod damaged pods.
Reap and supply all marketable beans.
April: Continue Black Pod and rat control.
Contact your local Cocoa Officer for infor- Continued from page 28
mation on obtaining and setting rat bait. Bury granular or dry fertilizers or dissolve
Reap and supply all marketable beans. in water and apply by fertigation or inject
Prepare holes for planting. into the soil with injector pump (knapsack
May: Apply fertilizer - NPK 13-11-19 or type). Broadcasting on the soil surface is
16-9-18 (one milk can per tree). Start least recommended.
Spring planting, if weather permits. Do December: Control Leafspot disease, ob-
general pruning as Fall crop ends. Remem- serve proper field sanitation and sleeve
ber to dig holes 18” x 18” x 18” i.e. long, young fruits. Apply Mocap (active ingre-
wide and deep, holes should be 10’ apart. dient ethoprop) at rate of 20 grams per
Monitor young plants for fiddler beetle at- mat with applicator per mat (20 grams fill
tack. or approximate to a match box). Alternate
June: Continue monitoring for Fiddler with application of 7.5 millitres per mat
Beetles - control weeds. Apply fertilizer of Vydate (active ingredient oxamyl)
(Sulphate) if necessary 1-2 oz. per plant using prescribed applicator. Always wear
around drip circle. Reap and supply beans full protective gears. Propping is neces-
where available. sary.

‘If you judge people, you have no time to love them’
- Dag Hammerskjold
June: Good planting season for all

COCONUT parishes. Purchase contractual insurance
January: Obtain seedlings from the Co- for additional coverage against wind-
conut Industry Board. Continue weed con- storms. Continue to fertilize plants accord-
trol and reaping. Good planting season for ing to age.
St. Mary, St. Ann and Portland. July: Keep weeds under control; good
February: Register planting season for all parishes.
with the Coconut Industry August: Good planting season for all
Board. Control rats by setting rat parishes. Consider the spraying of all
bait. healthy palms with RIDOMIL MZ
March: Register with the 58% WP or RIDOMIL MZ 72%
Coconut Industry Board; WP against Bud Rot infection.
remember to fertilize plants with September: Ensure proper drainage in
NPK 12-4-28; good planting season for all sections of the field. Good planting
St. Mary, St. Ann and Portland. season in all parishes.
April: Reap regularly and deliver co- October: Continue to fertilize all trees.
conuts to licensed coconut processors; Good planting season for all parishes.
consider the spraying of all healthy trees November: Continue rat control
with RIDOMIL MZ 58% WP against and planting in all parishes.
Bud Rot infection. Good planting December: Store nuts in husk;
season for St. Catherine, Claren- good planting season for St.
don, Manchester, St. Elizabeth, Mary, St. Ann, Portland, St.
Westmoreland, Hanover, St. James Thomas, Kingston and St. An-
and Trelawny. drew.
May: Purchase contractual in-
surance for additional coverage against
windstorm. Good planting season for all
parishes.
About Coconut
Coconut water is nature’s Coconut Oil Is Great!
finest nutritious drink and ✓ Helps maintain healthy ratio of
best thirst quencher. Omega 6 to Omega 3 fatty acids
✓ Rich in potassium ✓ Is easily digestible, easily oxidized –
✓ Contains calcium, iron, zinc preferred source of energy
✓ Has B Vitamins and Vitamin C ✓ Has antiviral, antibacterial and an-
✓ Low in carbohydrates tiprotozooal properties does not con-
✓ Low in sugars tribute to cholesterol
✓ Important component of medicinal
and baby foods

‘There is no need for temples; no need for complicated philosophy” - William Ellery Channing
nesium to mature groves; continue tree

CITRUS training.
January: Complete harvesting of grape- August: Complete land preparation. Reap
fruit and early orange varieties; confirm summer fruit; continue slug control; for Or-
arrangements for planting materials for taniques, control greasy spot with oil spray
spring planting and place new orders for plus fungicide; prepare reaping bags and
fall planting; prepare lands, line out and ladders.
make mounds for spring planting; continue September: Commence reaping of grape-
planting in northern parishes; clean drains. fruit through to January; plant citrus
February: Commence reaping of Or- through October in southern parishes; con-
taniques and Valencias if mature; follow tinue slug and weed control.
rains with application of sulphate of am- October: Request Citrus Growers' Associ-
monia to existing groves. Apply bait for ation to order seeds for use in April and
slug control; continue molding; commence May of the following year for producing
pruning and hot racking for resuscitation in root stock that is resistant to the Citrus
reaped fields where necessary. Triztesa Virus (C.T.V.). Commence reaping
March: Continue reaping of mature fruit; early varieties of oranges.
if trees have blossomed, apply 8:21:32 at November: Maintain young grove hy-
2/3yds petal fall or delay to coincide with giene, young tree training, slug control;
this state. Band apply fertilizers on mature commence all winter planting in northern
trees but broadcast trees up to year 3; con- parishes. Continue reaping of grapefruit
tinue tree-pruning and hat racking, slug early; discontinue budding.
control and conduct good weed control. December: Continue from November.
April: If blossoming and Fiddler Beetle Stock chemicals needed for spring; discon-
flights are delayed to this month or to tinue budding.
May, carry out the related programmes at
the appropriate stage and time; spray pro-
grammes may be necessary; accelerate CORN
reaping as all fruits are now of good qual- January: Continue reaping green and
ity. dry corn, continue to sun dry corn to re-
May: Reap at full speed as maximum qual- duce moisture and harden kernels; select
ity is now available. If rainfall causes seeds from the best ears for spring plant-
delay, then apply the March programme for ing; prepare adequate and suitable storage
fertilizers and Fiddler Beetles; control for dried corn - arrange proper pest con-
weeds, slugs and pests; rush completion of trol in storage and use when necessary.
spring planting; continue budding. February: Begin preparations for early
June: Control pests and diseases, apply planting; ensure spraying equipment is in
summer oil spray for scale insects and good condition; purchase seeds, fertiliz-
mites, consult Extension Officer for spray ers and chemicals. Purchase reliable ‘Pi-
programmes. oneer’ seed variety. Prepare suitable
July: Confirm plant supplies for fall and storage for sun dried seeds after chemical
request supplies for the following spring; treatment. Check with your extension of-
prepare mounds for fall planting; apply sul- ficer.
phate of ammonia and where needed, mag- Continued on page 32

‘Pray that your loneliness may spur you into finding something
to live for, great enough to die for’ - M. Scott Peck
Fertilization
CASSAVA Nitrogen fertilizers should be applied
C assava is relatively drought-resistant

and is a particularly useful crop in all
regions with alternating dry and rainy sea-
at 3- month intervals during the life of the
crop at a rate of 20 kgs per hectare. An ap-
plication of 50 kg./hectare phosphate and
sons. Cassava requires a warm climate. It is 25 kg/hectare potash is recommended dur-
a starchy food, valuable as an energy ing the life of the crop.
source.
Tubers average 33% carbohydrate Harvesting
(twice as potato), 1% protein and 0.3% fat. The cassava may be harvested within
Cassava is also high in calcium, phospho- 9-12 months after planting, depending on
rous and iron. variety and rainfall.
Soil
Cassava is adaptable to a wide range CORN
of soil types with varying soil fertility. Continued from page 31
Higher yields are obtained on soil types that March: Begin planting with spring rains;
are deep and more fertile. In contrast to cus- spray to control Army Worms; apply other
tomary yields of 3 to 5 metric tons per cultural practices.
hectare on subsistent fields, yields of 30 April: Continue spraying to control dis-
tons or more have been produced on deep, eases and pests especially the Corn Ear
friable, fertile soils. Worm and Army Worm; complete plant-
ing spring crop by mid-April.
Land Preparation May: Continue spraying against pests (es-
Rows should be well-ploughed and pecially the Corn Ear Worm and Army
pulverized. Rows are placed 1-1 1/2 metres Worm), control weeds; apply second fer-
(39- 48 in) apart and cuttings are placed 1 tilizer dressing.
metre (39 in) apart in rows. Cuttings should June: Start reaping green corn; spray to
be about 25 cm (12 ins.) long. control pest and diseases; make prepara-
tions to reap and store dried corns.
Propagation July: Reap dry corn; dry to 12% moisture
Propagation is done by making cut- content; provide proper storage, ensure
tings from the stems of older plants. These good pest control (rats, weevils, etc) while
plants should be at least 10 months old and in storage.
2.5 - 3.5 cm (1-2 ins) thick. Cuttings of August: Start preparation for fall planting;
some 25 cm in length are taken from the order seeds, fertilizers and chemicals.
lower part of the stem after discarding the September: Plant fall crop; spray (using
basal 20 cm and the upper part of the stem systemic insecticides e.g. Azodrin) to con-
having less than 2.5 cm in diameter. trol Army Worms; control weeds.
October: Continue pest and disease con-
Varieties trol; apply fertilizer - consult Extension
The varieties grown successfully in Ja- Officer.
maica include Sao Pedro Preto (with high December: Continue reaping green corn;
starch content), Bogor (sweet type) and make preparations to store dried corn; en-
Ambon (high protein). sure protection against rats, weevils, etc.

‘Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, worn or consumed. Happiness is the spiritual
experience of living every minute with love, grace and gratitude’ - Saint Augustine
have been planted one per hole, bend plants

COFFEE in the fall of the previous year to a 45 degree
January: Continue cutback programme on angle so as to produce a multiple shoot sys-
old, unthrifty, low producing coffee trees. tem (averaging 3 shoots). Fertilize trees in
Cut to a height of 15-20 inches above the production with 8-16 ozs. NPK (15:5:35 or
ground. Cover cut surfaces with anti-fungal 23:10:20 or 16:9:18) depending on the age
paint; control weeds, pests and diseases es- and condition of the trees and the soil type
pecially in young coffee; complete fertiliz- in which they are grown; reap all mature
ing coffee in production; complete Coffee fruit before spraying is done.
Berry Borer control; if reaping is completed, May: Continue spring planting with good
strip trees of all remaining berries; collect rainfall. Put in permanent shade trees (spac-
fallen berries and bury, or burn all that can- ing 40ft x 40 ft) in plot established in the fall
not be used. of the previous year. Complete fertilizer pro-
February: Complete cut- gramme. Control pests and
back prog-ramme on old, diseases; select single
unthrifty, low-producing shoot from topped plants;
coffee trees. Select land for assist the spray team; pro-
spring planting; start vide water to mix chemi-
preparation, i.e., clearing, cals; remove animals from
lining, digging holes or your coffee field; keep
furrows and add organic manure; check for windows, doors and all water containers
slug damage then do shoot selection in cut- closed during, and for 2 hours after spray-
back plants; control weeds mechanically or ing.
chemically; complete stripping and collec- June: Fertilize seedlings planted in the
tion of fallen berries; bury or burn all that spring with 4-6 ozs sulphate of ammonia or
cannot be used; examine young berries and 2-3 oz urea. Start inter-cropping programme
notify your extension officer if there are with grains, yams and vegetables between
signs of Borer damage. coffee rows; establish temporary shade with
March: Refill holes with soil, sand, organic plantains or bananas, spacing 20 ft x 7ft.
manure by mixing thoroughly, then add 8 July: Complete fertilizing of seedlings
ounces of coffee planting mixture (8:21:32) planted in May or June. Inspect trees for
or triple superphosphate in the upper inches stress signs and add extra quantities of fer-
of the hole; complete shoot selection on cut- tilizer if necessary.
back; do topping at 3'-6"-4'-6" on young August: Start land preparation, i.e., clear-
coffee plants; control pests and diseases if ing, digging holes, adding organic manure
necessary. (chicken manure, coffee pulp, sludge or
April: Start spring planting if rainfall is farmyard manure). Reap only cherry ripe
good. If there are 2 seedlings per pot, plant berries to ensure good quality. Do not de-
the 2 seedlings per hole in an upright posi- stroy branches while reaping as a good crop
tion; seedlings 10 months old and over is needed every year; control weeds, pests
should be planted at a 45 degree angle in the (rats included) and diseases; select shoots
direction in which the wind blows or across from bent plants; reap your coffee 14 days
the contour; seedlings 9 months and under after spraying has been completed.
should be planted upright; where seedlings Continued on page 34

‘To us also, through every star, through every blade of grass, is not God made
visible if we will open our minds and our eyes’ - Rabindranath Tagore
young Christmas trees for this year’s har-

FORESTRY vest.
January: Order seedlings from the July: Begin land clearing, digging holes
Forestry Department for all plantings and preparing stakes for fall planting and
through your local Rural Agricultural De- control weeds in young plantations. Look
velopment Authority Office or Officer at out for forest fires.
the Forestry Department. August: Continue land clearing for new
February: Control weeds in previous fall plantations; control weeds in young plan-
planting; begin cleaning and clearing, lin- tations. Prepare for forest fires.
ing, staking and digging holes for spring September: Procure seedlings and plant
planting. hardwoods at 15' x 15' after first heavy
March: Continue weed control, digging showers; plant Christmas trees at 6'x 6',
holes, and procuring of forest tree live fence posts 10' apart, and fast-growing
seedlings. species.
April: Thin and prune plantations six (6) October: Complete planting programme
years old; start planting procured hard- early in the month; order seedlings for
wood seedlings at 15’ x 15’; Christmas tree spring planting in the next year.
seedlings at 6’ x 6’. November: Control weeds in young plan-
May: Continue planting hardwood and tations; prepare to harvest mature Christ-
Christmas tree species. Plant seedlings for mas trees.
use as fence posts 10’ apart. December: Harvest and market Christmas
June: Thin out and prune existing timber trees; identify marginal lands for conserva-
plantations, over six years old, as well as tion planting.
COFFEE pot; establish permanent shade in open and

Continued from page 33 exposed areas in plots established in the
September: Continue to reap cherry ripe spring.
coffee with care. Complete refilling holes November: Complete fall planting; fertil-
by adding 8 ozs. coffee planting mixture ize seedlings planted in September and Oc-
(8:21:32) or triple superphosphate to mix- tober with 4-6 oz. sulphate of ammonia or
ture of soil and organic manure; start fall 2-3 oz. urea; fertilize seedlings planted in
planting if rainfall is good. the spring with 8 oz NPK 15:5:35. Inter-
October: Plant 2 seedlings per hole and in crop with vegetables, pulses etc. (No corn,
an upright position; continue fall planting by sweet potato or pigeon peas). Plant bananas
selecting and planting mature seedlings at and/or plantains as temporary shade or
45 degree angle if there is one seedling per companion crop.
pot; establish permanent shade in open and December: Start cutting back; remove fo-
exposed areas in plots established in the liage with cutlass, make final cut with saw
spring. 12-15 inches at 45 degree angle, cover with
October: Plant 2 seedlings per hole and in anti-fungal paint. Fertilize trees in produc-
an upright position; continue fall planting by tion with 16 oz. NPK 15:5:35 or 23:10:20 or
selecting and planting mature seedlings at 16:9:18 and 8 oz. of sulphate of ammonia if
45 degree angle if there is one seedling per necessary depending on age and soil type;
control weeds, pests and diseases.
‘A friendly study of the world's religions is a sacred duty’ - John Fischer
October: Reap major crops before

GRAINS& PULSES heavy rains set in; procure, treat and
January: Begin to reap red peas crop. store planting material; plant (in areas of
February: Continue land preparation; moderate rainfall).
begin major planting in all areas; stop November: Continue reaping mature
growing red peas on the plains; plant crops and select good planting materials
only on hillsides. Com- for spring planting.
plete harvesting of Octo- December: Continue
ber red peas crop. reaping; procure, treat and
March: Continue land store planting materials
preparation and general for spring planting.
planting in all parishes.
April: Start planting
peanuts; continue general pest and dis-
ease control.
May: Continue
planting peanuts;
reap early crops; con-
trol pest and diseases.
June: Reap, dry, and
market major crops -
if storing, contact
your Storage and Pest
Infestation Officer
for advice; plant cow
peas at low eleva-
tions.
July: Complete reap-
ing; select and or ob-
tain planting - protect
against weevils, rats,
etc.
August: Obtain,
treat, and store plant-
ing materials; control
weeds, pests and dis- Irriga琀on ... Making the Di昀erence In Agriculture
eases.
HEAD OFFICE
September: Prepare
191 Old Hope Road,
land for planting; get Kingston 6,
planting material Tel: (876) 977-6727/4022,
ready. Fax: (876) 977-2696

‘It is during our darkest moments that we must focus to see the light’
- Aristotle Onassis
September: Continue spraying against

IRISH POTATO pests and diseases. Make preparation for
January: Control weeds, pests and dis- fall crop in Christiana area.
eases; in early January, complete fall plant- October: Start reaping summer crop;
ing in Guys Hill, Lucky Hill and Sherwood make preparations for fall crop.
Forest areas. Make preparations for plant- November: Begin planting fall crop
ing spring crop (major crop), in the Chris- (Darliston, Lucky Hill, Guys Hill, Sher-
tiana area. Start planting in Pike, Low wood Forest, Hounslow, Ridge Pen and
River and Cascade areas. Mountain Side).
February: Start planting spring crop December: Continue planting fall crop
(major crop), in Chris- (Darliston, Lucky Hill, Guys Hill, Sher-
tiana area; spray to con- wood Forest, Hounslow, Ridge Pen and
trol blight and Mountain Side.
insects. No
planting
should be
done in
PLANTING TIPS
the Guys • Irish potatoes are not grown from seed
Hill area. like most other vegetables. Instead,
March: Com- pieces from the potato itself start new
plete most of your planting of spring crop plants.
in the Christiana area. Reap crops in Guys
Hill. • Farmers should purchase good seed
April: Continue spraying every 7 days in potatoes that are free of disease and
normal weather and twice weekly if rains chemicals. Do not buy potatoes from a
persist. Start reaping fall crop (Guys Hill grocery store for planting.
area) make preparation for summer crop,
weed crop. Complete all planting of Chris- • The seed potato contains buds or
tiana spring crop by the middle of the "eyes" which sprout and grow into
month. plants. The seed piece provides food for
May: Start reaping spring crop (Chris- the plant until it develops a root system.
tiana) - no planting for the Christiana area; Too small a seed piece produces a weak
continue spraying to control pests and early plant. Large seed potatoes for the spring
blight; begin preparation for summer crop crop should be cut into pieces that weigh
(South Manchester). about 1 1/2 to 2 ounces (about the size
June: Continue reaping spring crop, con- of a medium hen egg).
tinue preparations for summer crop; cease
spraying; prepare for temporary storage. • Each seed piece must have at least one
July: Start planting summer crop (South good eye (see figure 4). Cut the seed 5
Manchester); complete reaping spring crop or 6 days before planting. Hold the cut
in Christiana and Darliston. seed in a well-ventilated spot so it can
August: Complete planting summer crop; heal over to prevent rotting when
spray to control pests and diseases. planted in cold, wet or very hot weather.

‘Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant’
- Robert Louis Stevenson
October: Continue planting; remove any

MANGO shoots growing from the rootstock; apply
January: Continue spraying with copper
10:10:10 fertilizer; spray with Lebaycid
fungicide or Benlate to control anthrac-
and Malathion to control fruit flies,
nose and mildew; spray with Malathion
mildew and anthracnose; consult your
or white oil to control scales, thrips and
Extension Officer.
aphids.
November: Spray with fungicide to con-
February: Spray with
trol mildew and Anthracnose.
contact and systemic
December: Spray to control anthrac-
insecticide. e.g.,
nose, mildew, scales, thrips etc; con-
Malathion to control
sult your Extension Officer.
fruit flies. Control
weeds as this will ensure
that there are limited resting
places for insects.
March: Continue spraying with
contact and systemic insecti-
cides to control fruit flies.
April: Continue spraying with systemic PLANTING TIPS
insecticides to control fruit flies. • Mangoes are accustomed to hot and
May: Continue spraying to control fruit dry climates so plant in full sun and do
flies; fertilize with NPK e.g. 10:10:10 in not over water. A good rule is to water
the absence of definitive information con- a newly planted tree every three days
cerning soil type; fertilizer recommenda- for the first month, once a week for
tions should be on the basis of soil the next two months, and only during
analysis and preferably supported by leaf extended dry spells after that.
or tissue analysis.
June: Spray to control fruit flies and fer- • Be careful of over watering while
tilize with NPK. fruit is developing as this can cause
July: Ensure that control measures are the fruit to burst.
still in place to discourage fruit flies and
• Pruning is not recommended for am-
fertilize with 10:10:10.
ateurs and should only be done with
August: Make preparations for planting,
sterilized blades.
preferably after the first rains; plant com-
mercial varieties - Tommy Atkins, Keitt, • Mango seeds do not produce the
St. Julian and East Indian. same quality fruit as the tree they orig-
September: Start planting, making sure inate from. If you eat a particularly
that plants are of good quality. flavorful mango, its seed will not pro-
duce the same delicious fruit. For this
reason, many mango trees are grafted.

‘Hope is a waking dream’
- Aristotle
May: Reap onions sown in November,

ONIONS & December (harvest mature bulbs; airdry
in appropriate storage trays (mesh), then
ESCELLIONS store allowing for free movement of air).
January: Establish nurseries or sow di- June: Complete reaping fall crop; begin
rectly Texas Early Grano, Granex Hybrid, reaping onions sown in January and Feb-
thin out and transplant seedlings sown in ruary; properly dry bulbs before bagging.
November; control weeds, pests and dis- July: Continue reaping varieties; begin
eases; thin out transplant seedlings sown preparations for fall crop; plant where
in November, Texas Early water is available (Texas Early
Grano, New Mexico Yellow Grano, Granex Hybid, Red
Grano, particularly in areas Creole).
with irrigation. August: Continue land
February: Begin drying of preparation; harvest spring
mature onions sown in pre- crop; begin major planting
vious September (partially of fall varieties (Texas
those with bent tops and with- Early Grano, Granex Hybid,
hold water by late February; reap when Red Creole); apply preemergen herbi-
3/4 of field has dried down); prepare land cides e.g., TOK E-25 or Dacthal at time
and plant spring varieties, e.g. New Mex- of planting; ensure adequate water for
ico White and Yellow Grano, El Toro, seed germination and steady
Tropic Ace, Amber Express. growth.
March: Continue reaping, thoroughly September: Reap spring
sun dry to reduce moisture before bag- crop; continue sowing fall
ging and storing; begin spring plant- varieties; apply pre-emer-
ing of “out-of-season” spring gence herbicides, eg. TOK E-25
varieties e.g. New Mexico Yel- and Dacthal.
low, New Mexico Brown; October: Continue sowing all varieties;
thin out and transplant rigidly control weeds and pest.
seedlings sown in January November: Continue planting all fall va-
(above 2,000 ft. in elevation if irrigation rieties; ensure adequate moisture, espe-
is available): thin out generally where cially through germination and early
stand is thick; continue sowing spring va- stage of growth; control weeds, pests and
rieties. diseases.
April: Continue reaping, mature harvest December: Continue sowing fall vari-
sown in November; sun cure bulbs prop- eties; (ensure adequate water for germi-
erly before storing; continue planting nation and early growth; control weeds,
spring varieties. pests and diseases).

‘Change your thoughts and you change your world’
- Norman Vincent Peale
SUGAR CANE
G ive your ‘Plant Cane’ the right start by
using the correct machinery and imple-
ments to obtain good tillage.
• Harrow and cross-harrow to a depth of 25-
30 cm (10’-12’). Keep cool by covering
with a layer of trash until required.
• If soil is hard and dry, rip soil to a depth of • Apply pre-emergent herbicide within 3
45 cm (18’). Cross-rip if necessary. Harrow days after irrigation, or after planting and
the field afterwards to get soil to a fine keep the field free of weeds.
enough tilt. • Planting dibbled 2-eye setts; Drop 5 to 8
• Survey and level using land plane if nec- tc/ha of freshly cut seed cane on prepared
essary to improve irrigation and drainage. field site; keep cool by covering with a layer
of trash until required; Cut seed pieces with
•Construct straight furrows to the recom-
2 nodes; approximately 25,000 tops should
mended row width of 1.52 m or 1.67 m (5'
plant one hectare.
or 5' 6") apart.
• Insert at an angle with eyes facing up-
•Use healthy seed cane of age 5-7 months,
wards, with aid of pick ax or mattock; Press
disease-resistant and varieties as recom-
soil against setts by stepping on overlying
mended by SIRI.
soil; apply first dosage of recommended fer-
•Planting should be done immediately after tilizer.
furrowing to conserve soil moisture. Good
• Supplying - Within 4 weeks of planting or
plant population is essential to obtaining
as soon as germination is over, fill gaps if
high cane yields. Use the recommended
they are more than 45 cm (18") wide to ob-
seed cane rate at planting, that is 7.5-10 t/ha
tain maximum stalk population.
(3-4 tc/ac) allowing for about 20% overlap-
ping. Where long canes are used, these • Molding - Mold at 10-12 weeks for bank
should be slashed at 60 cm length (2'). formation after all fertilizers are applied.
Cover seed cane to a depth of 5-10 cm (2"-
•Harvesting - The harvesting period for
4").
sugar cane in Jamaica normally extends
•Apply fertilizer as recommended at plant- from November to June. Starting time
ing and/or at 6-8 weeks as top dressing. varies among factories from late November
Contact your SIRI Agronomist for recom- to early January. The best results are ob-
mendation on fertilizer usage. tained when harvesting activities are max-
imised around the peak sucrose period,
• Where irrigation is practiced, irrigate im-
which is mid-February to mid-April.
mediately after planting, then at 7 days later.
Subsequent irrigation can be applied at 10- •At harvesting, the aim is to maximise su-
14 day intervals until a 14-21 day cycle, can crose recovery by reducing losses caused by
be maintained. Always irrigate before apply- stale cane or actual loss of cane. Cane yield-
ing fertilizers. ing above 75 tc/ha and JRCS above 10.5
give best results. Continued on page 40
‘Happiness is not something you postpone for the future;
it is something you design for the present’ - Jim Rohn
June: Harvesting likely to begin in west-

PIMENTO ern parishes; use clippers (available from
January: Apply cultural practices such as
Jamaica Pimento Growers’ Association)
keeping trees free of heavy undergrowth
instead of breaking the branches to reap
and entangling vines; get rid of unneces-
berries; dry on clean barbecues.
sary trees to avoid overcrowding. If area
July: Continue reaping of green, mature
is prone to rust disease, control by spray-
berries. Do not allow berries to get wet
ing with Dithane M 45 at a mixture of 2
during the drying process; store safely in
tablespoons to 1 gallon of water (using
crocus bags after drying. Get correct in-
knapsack spray pan) or 2 pounds in 20 gal-
formation on price.
lons water (with mist blower), add
August: Continue to harvest crop by
sticker; control black ants by
clipping; breaking shocks the
using diazinon, 2 table-
tree; offer for sale clean,
spoons to 1 gallon water
cured pimento to authorized
regularly on crocus bags
buyers. Avoid ripe
tied around trunk of trees.
berries. Improve field
February: Continue
sanitation by spread-
spraying with fungicide,
ing discarded branches
Dithane M 45; young leaves
around trees or selling to
are susceptible; make prepa-
leaf-oil factories only during
rations for spring planting; con-
harvest time.
trol black ants.
September: Plant new trees at recom-
March: Trees begin to flower, in western
mended distances, 25' x 25'; circle weed
parishes. Plant new trees using grafted
and fertilize existing trees with 2.5 lb of
plants obtained from the Ministry of Agri-
recommended mixture after completion of
culture - weather permitting. Discontinue
reaping.
spraying for rust disease. Repeat treat-
October: Complete planting and fertiliz-
ment for black ants and make preparations
ing; control vegetation and black ants.
for fertilizing.
November: Ensure that proper cultural
April: Apply NPK fertilizer to existing
practices are carried out by keeping grove
trees; use 12:10:18 or 10:10:20; continue
free of heavy bush, and by sawing off
planting new plants. Trees flowering.
dead and decaying branches; paint cut sur-
May: Prepare barbecues and drying
faces.
equipment and make preparations for
December: Continue cultural practices.
reaping. Most trees are in flowering stage.
Sugar Cane
Continued from page 39 • Canes scheduled to be harvested in the
• Start maturity testing at least 4 weeks prior early period of the crop, i.e. November to
to the commencement of harvesting; discon- January can be treated with chemical ripener
tinue irrigation practice about 4 weeks be- to enhance sucrose levels by spraying 4-5
fore scheduled reaping date to allow for weeks before the scheduled reaping date.
ripening.
W ith the incorporation of the Jamaica Agricultural Commodities Regulation Authority
(JACRA) on January 1, 2018 the relevant operations of the previous commodity
bodies which have now been subsumed ceased to function.
These are • Coffee Industry Board • Cocoa Industry Board • Export Division • Co-
conut Industry Board-Regulatory arm.
The Jamaica Agricultural Commodities Regulatory Authority’s Values
Stakeholders: We help our stakeholders to achieve their goals. We listen and respond
promptly to their needs, while consistently delivering quality service.
Employees: We aim to offer our employees a stimulating, rewarding and result-oriented
work environment that recognizes their contribution and provides opportunities for per-
sonal growth and development.
Health, Safety and Environment: Our actions give priority to the health and safety of
our stakeholders and employees, while preserving the natural environment.
Continual Improvement: We shall use our Quality Management System (“QMS”) to
monitor our output, and engage our staff and management team to create ways to reduce
turn-around time and waste in order to achieve continuous improvement. We will also uti-
lize technological innovation to improve our services.
JACRA QUALITY POLICY STATEMENT
Judicious and Fair

J When applying our Laws & Regulations
Authentic & Original Products
A Brand Jamaica is our paramount interest in all the commodities

we regulate and certify for quality
Customer Satisfaction
C Customer Satisfaction is central to what we do while ensuring that our functions,
procedures and activities in the products we certify and the service to our customers
is aimed at true customer satisfaction and service excellence
Receptive
R To customer concerns, needs and requests and to grant the
appropriate Recourse to all our stakeholders
Adaptive to Change
A Be adaptive to Change by the Utilization of Technology and
Research and revisions to procedures where appropriate that
will benefit our stakeholders
876-923-6411• 876-923-6412 • www.jacra.org

COFFEE-A tropical tree or shrub of the renowned for its high quality and flavour
genus Coffea. In Jamaica the specie that is and oil content. As a nutraceutical, it is most
cultivated is Coffea Arabica with the dom- potent between 6-7 months after planting.
inant variety being Typica that is grown in PIMENTO-also called allspice, Jamaica
the Blue Mountain and High Mountain pimento, Jamaica pepper, pimenta, is the
zones. Jamaican coffee commences mature dried unripe fruit of Pimenta dioica. P.
cherry berry production at about year 3 dioica belongs to the family Myrtaceae and
reaching its peak production between year contains the characteristic flavour and
7 and year 8. The product transitions aroma of four spices – cloves, nutmeg, cin-
through various stages of processing start- namon and pepper. In Jamaica normal
ing with the cherry ripe coffee stage when seedlings commence mature bearing at year
reaped by farmers for processing by li- 6-7 and reaches peak production in year 8-
censees of the JACRA. The processed 9, whilst grafted pimento trees commence
green beans at the finishing stage are ulti- mature bearing at about year 2-3 and reach-
mately roasted and consumed as a world- ing commercial quantities about year 4-5
class product from Jamaica. and has peak production in year 6-7. Ja-
COCOA-The cocoa bean or which is also maican pimento is globally recognized for
called the cacao bean or cacao is the dried its high quality and eugenol oil content.
and fully fermented seed of Theobroma TURMERIC-Curcuma longa has its ori-
cacao. Jamaica cultivates exclusively pre- gins in South East Asia. It is an herb of the
mium quality cocoa that is designated ‘Fine ginger family and like ginger has a thick,
or Flavour.’ Jamaican cocoa begins flower- round rhizome with short "fingers". The
ing at about year 4 and as early as 2 ½ years plant is propagated from its rhizomes which
old. Cocoa takes 7 years to come into full may vary in length from 5-7.5 cm and are
bearing with an average economic life span ready for harvesting at about 9-12 months
of 30 years per field. Harvested cocoa beans after planting. Turmeric is a very prolific
are fermented in wooden boxes and sun- crop, producing between 20-25 MT/ha.
dried, these beans are then used to produce Turmeric contains curcumin compounds
some of the world’s most desirable pre- and is globally recognized for its many
mium chocolate. health benefits.
COCONUT-Cocos nucifera is a member NUTMEG-Myristica fragrans (fragrant
of the palm tree family Arecaceae and the nutmeg or true nutmeg) is a dark-leaved
only known living species of the genus evergreen tree cultivated for two spices de-
Cocos. Coconut trees are grown in tropical rived from its fruit: nutmeg, from its seed,
regions and are believed to be native to the and mace, from the seed covering. The fe-
Americas. Dominant varieties grown in Ja- male tree starts fruiting from the sixth year,
maica are Malayan dwarf and Maypan. though the peak period is reached after 20
GINGER-Zingiber Officinale has its ori- years. The fruits are ripe and ready for har-
gins in Asia and was introduced by the vest when the pericarps split. After harvest
Spanish to Jamaica in the early 1700s. It has the outer fleshly portion is removed and the
47 genera and in excess of 1,000 species. mace is manually separated from the nut.
Two varieties of the ginger plant grown in The nut and mace are then dried separately
Jamaica are the Yellow Ginger and the Blue in the sun.
Ginger. The major ginger growing areas are
450-900 meters above sea level, in the hilly 876-923-6411• 876-923-6412
areas of central Jamaica. Jamaican ginger is www.jacra.org

Ruminant
Ru
Ruminant
minant Animal
Animal Nutrition
Nutrition in
in Jamaica
Jamaica
The requirements and considerations for the successful
15
production of ruminant animals in Jamaica have become
National Milk Production/ Million

increasingly challenging over the last decade. Dairy production in 14
particular has shrunk since 1992, where the island state reported 13
production of 38 million litres of fresh milk. In 2018 the country
Litres
12
reported production of 14 million litres continuing an upward
trend since 2008. The Jamaica Dairy Development Board (JDDB), 11
an agency of the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and
10
Fisheries, has steadily ushered the development of the sector
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
since the commissioning of the Dairy Sector Revitalization
National Milk Production for
Programme in 2009. Jamaica between 2014 and 2018
Amidst the impacts of climate change and increasing production costs particularly; energy,
feed, labour and limited support services, the sector is on a path of slow but sustained growth
Since 2012 the Dairy Sector has grown approximately 5% per annum.
Factors affecting the productivity

of ruminants include Nutrition,
Genetics, Environment, Finance,
and Health. The JDDB has
identified dairy cattle nutrition as
one of the most prohibitive
factors affecting the desired
increases in production. To that
end a national pasture
rehabilitation project was
Forms of Fodder Conservation being practiced in Jamaica

commissioned in 2015 by the JDDB. The project has promoted the introduction of new and
improved varieties of grasses as well as continued propagation of existing native varieties
towards increasing the quality and availability of feed for dairy cows.
Grass varieties such as the Mulatto II, Mombasa, Cayman, African Star, Napier, King and Guinea
grass are locally available and can be accessed by ruminant producers. The ability of producers
to have sustained access to good quality forage year round, will improve productivity levels of
dairy cattle.
The JDDB has also launched strategies towards improving

feeding systems island wide by way of increasing supplies of
conserved fodder. Based on climatic conditions, our pasture
crops can be successfully produced, harvested and stored in
the form of hay, haylage and silage. These fodder reserves
can be used during periods of feed supply shortages to Pasture of African Star grass (Cynodon
nlemfluensis) in Hanover, Jamaica.
sustain production. Production losses due to feed
availability can amount to up to $25 million JMD monthly in milk production losses. For the
period 2018/2019 the JDDB has facilitated rehabilitation of several acres of pastures and fodder
banks (over 213 acres) and packing of silage (over 100 metric tonnes) across Jamaica.
The JDDB encourages increased participation among stakeholders in the dairy and related
ruminant sectors, as we continue to grow Jamaica’s capacity to produce animal products.
For more information please visit our website at www.jddb.gov.jm

October 2019

CARING FOR YOUR
BABY CHICKS DAY 1–10
THE FIRST TWO WEEKS YOUR BROODING RING WILL NEED:
OF LIFE
As baby chicks are unable to control
their internal temperature for the
first 10 days of life, you have to keep
them warm just like a mother hen
1 Heat Lamp
(Target temp.
95ºC)
would by brooding. Often in small
scale farming, heat lamps are used
along with curtains or cardboard to
prevent cold drafts of air from
blowing through the chicken house.
A Brooding Ring - a small area,

within the house, that can
2 Curtains/
Tarpaulin
comfortably accommodate the
baby chicks should be enclosed to
concentrate heat in the brooding
area. Brooding rings can be
constructed from wire and
covered with paper.
3 Newspaper
JUST RIGHT!
Sufficient
4 Waterers
+ Feeders
with Hi-Pro
Broiler Ration
Correct temp/Optimal situation:
Chicks sound contented and are
evenly distributed around brooder.

High Toxicity
SLUGOFF
Always exercise caution and wear proper safety
gear when handling, preparing and using chemicals.
Keep out of reach of children. Refer to Product
Instructions for correct usage.
MOLLUSCICIDE
Blue odorless granular

bait pellets with a mode of
action by contact/ingestion
for soil application.
Active Ingredient: Metaldehyde
An effective molluscicide that controls
snails and slugs in Banana, Plantain,
Citrus, Coffee, Cocoa, Papaya, Corn,
Cabbage, Carrot, Cauliflower, Strawberry,
Available at Hi-Pro Farm
Supplies and leading farm Pea, Beans, Peppers, Tomato, Lettuce,
stores islandwide. Melon, Cucumber, Watermelon, Onions,
Garlic, Escallion, Ornamentals, Sugar
Telephone: cane, Turf, Lawns, Pasture and Forage.
984-7918/619-1302

“Try not to become a person of success, but rather try to become a person of value.”
– Albert Einstein
plant out seedlings, specimen plants; set

ORNAMENTALS slips of all perennials; weed lawn and order
January: Spray with fungicide to control topsoil to refresh lawn surface; set croton
mildew; control slugs with metaldehyde slips to root in shallow water; pot off African
bait; prepare beds for annuals (asters, carna- violet plantlets set in January; take in, clean
tions, petunias, salvias, etc); sow seeds, fer- and store lily bulbs.
tilize spring flowering bulbs; procure May: Plant shrubs; reap and store lily bulbs
planting material and horticultural supplies, and dahlia tubers; control weeds, pests and
e.g. chemicals; propagate African violet diseases; check show diary for participation
from leaf cuttings; spray bouganvillea to dis- in nationwide events which are a valuable
courage chewing insects; propagate cane be- source of obtaining desired plants; divide
gonia from slips taken at mature joints, then chrysanthemum; make canna beds and dress
set where one wants to establish plants; heavily with household de-
make beds for annuals. bris, lawn rakings.
February: Plant cane June: This is the start
begonia, geranium, of the hurricane sea-
dahlia, gloxinia, cal- son which continues
adium. Prune orchids until November;
and African violets strengthen arbors, en-
for upcoming shows; as sure that walls and ter-
a precautionary measure spray races are secured against
with insecticides and fungicides against flooding; when hurricane warning is issued,
pests; turn mulch on annual beds; set annual reduce height of shrubs to ensure that they
seeds in beds or boxes; treat against insects are not overturned by wind; remove tree
attack; circumpose roses and other perenni- branches which threaten buildings; continue
als; remove faded blooms from chrysanthe- reaping lily bulbs and dahlia tubers; sow
mum to encourage prolonged bloom. seeds of summer annuals (e.g., bachelor's
March: Plant annuals on beds; prune and button, marigolds, zinnias, calendulas, petu-
manure roses according to varieties, cut nias); prepare beds for cannas; severely cut
overhangs from lilies and other bulbs; cut back
back euphorbias (including poinsettias); euphorbias; make compost using yellow
propagate shrubs; examine orchid show yams and continue reaping early crop.
prize lists and manicure entries; examine July: Plant cannas; ensure adequate water-
seedlings and circumposed shoots to deter- ing; control weeds, pests and diseases; apply
mine readiness for independent life; prepare mulch for moisture conservation and weed
deep, well-manured holes for receiving control; the midsummer sun dictates that
specimen plants; severely prune and fertilize frequent watering of plants commences;
roses; severely cut back poinsettia, snow-on- deeply saturate soils, do not sprinkle them;
the-mountain. lightly mulch to conserve moisture; make
April: Complete preparations for Flower beds for calosia, cock's comb and zinnia,
Show; severely prune bouganvilleas, alla- then sow seeds; cut back poinsettia, snow on
mandas, hibiscus, etc; remove spent flowers the mountain.
from annuals (to prolong flowering); apply Continued on page 50
fertilizer; train vines and all trailing plants;

‘There are two spiritual dangers in not owning a farm’
Aldo Leopold, A Sand County Almanac
ORNAMENTALS weed and mow lawn; repaint garden

furniture; prepare arrival garden; pre-
Continued from page 49
pare gift plants for charity shows and
August: Apply compost to flower beds; friends.
plant annuals; continue mulching to December: Improve general appear-
conserve moisture and control weeds; ance of your garden; review arrange-
heavily pruned June roses should be ments and planting and water
fertilized; prepare gerbera beds to re- conservation programmes; ensure tools
ceive divisions in October; beware of and equipment are in good working
chewing insects; spray them as soon as order; remove overhanging vegetation
they are detected; shade pot plants, top from poinsettia; clip faded flowers from
up with compost or animal manure; "tree chrysanthemums" to prolong
water orchids twice daily, fertilize once flowering; set dahlia tubers and store
per week. gladiolus corms.
September: Add compost to lawn,
spread evenly; give second pruning to
perennial shrubs, e.g., hibiscus, June
rose, Allamanda; fertilize; chrysanthe-
mums; plant bulbs (begonias, dahlias,
etc.); separate gerbera rootstock into
small plants and re-establish beds or
plant new beds; control pests and dis-
eases; begin preparing plants for fall
season shows; cut lawn clearly in ad-
vance of October rains; plant gladiolus
corms; make new rose beds.
October: Fertilize anthuriums with

highpotash mixture, eg., 5:10:20; inten-
sively cultivate chrysanthemums; prune
roses, fertilize, control weeds, pests and Be Connected
diseases; this is Jamaica's "second
spring" when all gardening tasks are ac- with......
celerated; safely divide, transplant and
establish seedlings and cuttings; trans-
plant gerbera. Look out for Anthrac-
agrilifefoundation.org
nose; spray with Antracol and Dithane.
November: Continue cultivating
theagriculturalist.com
chrysanthemums; control weeds, pests
and diseases; trim hedges severely and
tropicalfarmersalmamac.com
‘It is thus with farming, if you do one thing late, you will be late in all your work’
Cato The Elder
July: Continue pest, disease and weed

VEGETABLES control; ensure spray and other equipment
January: Plant all vegetables - celery, are in good working condition; arrange for
onion, cauliflower, zucchini, string beans, fertilizers, seeds and chemical preparation
lettuce, cabbage, broccoli, tomato, carrot; for winter vegetables; make contact and
ensure adequate moisture; apply fungi- arrange markets (export and local).
cides and insecticides to protect your August: Complete planting summer veg-
crops. etables, e.g. pumpkin, cucumber, cabbage;
February: Plant sweet corn, onion, egg commence preparation for fall onions;
plant, cauliflower, broccoli, squash, string continue land preparation for winter veg-
beans, cabbage, tomato, sweet and hot etables; e.g. sweet pepper, sweet corn,
pepper, watermelon; ensure ade- cantaloupe, string beans, zucchini.
quate water, control weeds, September: Start planting win-
pests and diseases. Start ter vegetables; e.g. can-
Irish potato planting in taloupe, sweet pepper,
areas of Manchester zucchini; consult your
and Clarendon. extension officers on
March: Continue planting pest and disease con-
all vegetables e.g. sweet pepper (eg. Cal- trol, and soil conservation measures. Start
ifornia Wonder, Keystone Resistant vari- planting fall crop of onion; sweet corn and
ety); cauliflower, broccoli, pumpkin, scotch bonnet pepper, corn.
watermelon, cabbage (where water is October: Continue planting winter veg-
available), cantaloupe, sweet corn; plant etables; plant celery, cucumber, head-let-
head lettuce and celery (over 2,000 ft.); tuce, cabbage, beet; control weeds, pests
plant lettuce (Loose Leaf Mignonette) at and diseases; provide adequate drainage
lower elevations; plant spring onions; in heavy rainfall areas; increase spraying
spray to control pests and diseases.
cycle if rains persist.
April: Apply cultural practices to all veg-
November:Ensure proper field sanitation
etable crops; plant tomato; prepare fields
and disease, pest and weed control. Con-
for warm-season crops; e.g. hot pepper,
okra, sweet corn, pumpkin, cabbage; en- tinue planting vegetables; prepare lands in
sure proper field sanitation. Continue Guys Hill, and Carron Hall for Irish potato
planting spring onions. planting.
May: Ensure proper drainage; plant December: Ensure adequate drainage es-
warm-season crops; cucumber, pumpkin, pecially on heavy soils; consult your Ex-
egg plant, okra, watermelon. Plant M82 tension Officer; plant tomato (Late
and Roma tomato. Commence reaping Blight-resistant strains; start planting all
spring onions. winter vegetables such as cantaloupe,
June: Put in place measures to control sweet pepper, zucchini; control weeds.
pests and diseases; continue planting Complete planting of Irish potato in Guys
warm-season vegetables. Hill, Blackstonedge and Carron Hall
areas.

‘Agriculture, the only honest way, wherein man receives a real
increase of the seed thrown into the ground,’ Franklin Benjamin
March: Plant Negro yam, Lucea yam

YAM and Sweet yam. Harvest -Tau yam, White
yam, St. Vincent, Hard yam, Sweet yam
M ost varieties of yam are seasonal
which means they must be planted
at a particular time and will sprout natu-
and Yampie.
April: Plant Tau yam, White yam, St.
rally only in special months. Yellow yam Vincent, Hard Yam, Sweet yam and
and Negro yam are less seasonal than the Yampie. Harvest -White yam,
others. Hard yam, St Vincent and
December: Plant - Negro White yam.
yam and Lucea yam. Har- May-June: (May is yam,
vest Negro yam, spelt backways, the
Lucea yam, Tau main season for planting
yam, White yam, St yam). Plant - Renta yam,
Vincent and Sweet Sweet yam, Yampie, Hard
yam. yam, St Vincent yam,
January: Plant Negro yam and Lucea White yam, and Tau yam. Harvest -Renta,
yam. Harvest - Tau yam, St. Vincent yam, Tau yam.
Hard yam, Renta and Sweet yam. July-November: Harvest Negro yam and
February: Plant Negro yam, Lucea yam. Lucea yam. Yellow yam can be planted all
Harvest - Tau yam, St. Vincent, Hard year round depending on rainfall.
yam, Renta yam and Yampie.
Growing Callaloo
O riginating as a backyard garden crop
callaloo is an important non-tradi-
tional export crop commodity earning in
excess of US$2 million annually. The ed-
ible parts of the plant are low in saturated
fats and contain beneficial nutrients such
as protein, lysine and fiber. Viable seeds for planting, which can be
purchased at farm stores islandwide, are
SITE SELECTION sown in the beds and cover with about 1/4
Callaloo will grow well on most soils inch of soil either near the planting site or
as long as there is adequate supply of on some other plot of land. The seedbed
water, free drainage, rich in organic mat- may be covered with a mesh material that
ter, and with maximum exposure to sun- allows at least 70 per cent of light pene-
light. tration. This barrier will help to keep
Soil should be ploughed to a depth major pest from attacking the seedlings.
of 15-20 cm and make into bed. Continued on page 53
‘The ultimate goal of farming is not the growing of crops, but the cultivation and
perfection of human beings’ Masanobu Fukuoka, The One-Straw Revolution
HARVESTING
Callaloo The crop is ready for harvest 3-4 weeks
Continued from page 52 after transplanting and should be harvest
once per week. Shoot should be cut before
TRANSPLANTING they develop bark tissue and seeds. Esti-
The best time for transplanting the young, mated yields range from 642.7-734.1
but hardened, callaloo plants is during the kg/hectare (3,500-4,000 lbs./acre) per week
cooler times of the day, late evening at peak production. Current market price
(preferably) or early morning. Seedlings J$40/kg ($80 per lb.).
are replanted into pre-prepared beds into A crop may last 6-8 months depend-
which organic manure is incorporated. The ing on the field conditions such as weather
recommended planting distance is 30 cm and pest and disease pressure. Callaloo
within rows and 45 cm between should be reaped during the cooler period
rows. of the day and harvested stalks should be
Callaloo responds well to both organic kept in a shaded area to retard wilting.
(animal manure) and inorganic fertilisers
(commercial fertiliser). Organic fertiliser
also includes broken down materials from Beet Armyworm
compost and is more environmentally Scallion & Onion
friendly than the inorganic type. Although • Intensify the monitoring of crops at
a fairly lucrative crop, callaloo is plagued least twice a week or every three days
by many leaf eating pests (caterpillars, Utilize the pheromone traps as a monitor-
worms) that adversely affect yield and mar- ing tool to detect the early arrival of the
ketability. migrating beet armyworm adults (or bats)
• Utilize bug zappers at night in New For-
PESTS est Manchester, and in Southfield and
The pest, especially caterpillars, can reduce Junction in St Elizabeth Monitor for the
yield by as much as 100 per cent in early detection of the egg sacs often de-
high infestation, consequently, farmers rely posited near the tip of leaves
heavily upon chemical pesticides to reduce • Newly hatched worms will emerge
crop damage. The frequent use of pesti- within three days. This is critical as this
cides has led pest to develop resistant to is the most vulnerable and susceptible
popular pesticides, which adds to the level stage where cultural and chemical strate-
of environmental contamination. gies are to be applied.
• Handpicking is recommended where
WEEDING practical.
Fields should be manually weeded to con- • When spraying, choose least toxic, bio-
trol weed, as weed-killing herbicides will rational insecticides, to minimize nega-
burn the callaloo plant. Note that timely re- tive impact on natural enemies (or
moval of weeds can reduce pest and dis- farmers friends). Apply pesticides as nec-
ease incidence. essary targeting early instars. Use Bio-ra-
tional insecticides by targeting young
worms (1st - 2nd instars)

‘The soil is the great connector of lives, the source and destination of all’
Wendell Berry, The Unsettling of America: Culture and Agriculture
WHAT & WHEN TO PLANT

JANUARY Cabbage - can be grown year-round with irriga-
tion and rigid pest control.
Beetroot - does best during the cool months (Sep-
Carrot - can be grown year-round if water is
tember to January) it can be grown year-round at
available with good disease control.
high elevations or on lowlands with irrigation.
Cauliflower- can be grown year round.
Cabbage - does best during the cool months
Celery - does best at high elevations.
(September to January); can be grown year-round
Cucumber - grown year-round.
with irrigation and rigid pest control.
Escellion - grown year-round.
Carrot - can be grown year-round if water is
Okra - grown year round at low elevations, hot
available and with proper disease control; does
months in high areas.
best in cool months.
Pumpkin - grown year-round.
Cauliflower - can be grown year-round; does
String Beans - grown year-round, although it
best in cool months.
does best during cool seasons.
Celery - does best at high elevations in a cool cli-
Tomato - grown year-round with irrigation.
mate; can be grown at lower elevations during
Thyme - grown year-round.
the cool months (September to January).
Watermelon - September to April.
Zucchini- Grown year-round.
Escellion - grown year-round.
Hot Pepper - grown year -round MARCH
Egg Plant - grown year-round. Beetroot - can be grown at high elevations year-
Lettuce - grown year-round during cool months round or on lowlands with irrigation.
and with good water supply (Sept to January) Cabbage - can be grown year-round with irriga-
Okra - grown year-round at low elevations; hot tion and rigid pest control.
months in high areas. Carrot -grown year-round if water is available.
Pumpkin - grown year-round. Celery- does best at high elevations and in cool
Radish - does best at high elevations during the climate.
cool months. Cantaloupe- September to April.
Sweet Pepper - does best during the cool months Cucumber- can be grown year-round.
at high elevations. Egg Plant- can be grown year-round.
String Beans - grown year-round, although it Escellion- can be grown year-round.
does best during cool season. Lettuce- can be grown year-round.
Thyme - grown year-round Okra- grown year-round at low elevations, hot
Tomato - grown year-round with irrigation, al- months in high areas.
though older varieties such as Oxheart are not Onion - March to April
very heat-resistant. Pumpkin- grown year-round.
Turnip - cool climate essential and thus grows String Beans- grown year-round.
best at high elevations. Tomato- grown year-round with irrigation, al-
Watermelon - September to April. though older varieties such as Oxheart are not very
Zucchini- can be grown year-round. heat-resistant.
FEBRUARY Zucchini- can be grown year-round.
Beetroot - can be grown year-round at high ele-
vations or on lowlands with irrigation.

‘Farming is a profession of hope’
Brian Brett

APRIL JUNE
Beetroot - can be grown year-round at high ele- Beetroot - can be grown year-round at high ele-
vations or on lowlands with irrigation. vations or on lowlands with irrigation.
Cabbage - can be grown year-round with irriga- Cabbage - can be grown year-round with irriga-
tion. tion and good pest control.
Carrot - can be grown year-round, though it does Carrot - plant at elevations above 1,000 ft.
best in cool months. Cauliflower - can be grown year-round with
Cauliflower - can be grown year-round. proper pest management.
Cantaloupe - September to April. Cucumber - grown year-round.
Cucumber - can be grown year-round. Egg Plant - grown year-round.
Egg Plant - can be grown year-round. Escellion- can be grown year-round.
Escellion- can be grown year-round. Okra - grown year-round at low elevations.
Lettuce - can be grown year-round. Grown in high areas during hot months .
Okra - grown year-round at low elevations, hot Pumpkin - grown year-round.
months in high areas. String Beans - grown year-round at high eleva-
Pumpkin - grown year-round. tions.
Onions - March to April. Tomato - grown year-round with irrigation and
String Beans - grown year-round, although it good pest control. Older varieties such as Ox-
does best in the cool season. heart are not very heat-resistant.
Tomato - grown year round, with irrigation.
Watermelon - September to April. JULY
Zucchini- grown year-round. Beetroot - can be grown year-round at high ele-
vations or on lowlands with irrigation.
MAY Cabbage - can be grown year-round with irriga-
Beet Root- can be grown year-round at high ele- tion and proper pest control.
vations or on lowlands with irrigation. Carrot - can be grown year-round, although it
Cabbage - can be grown year-round with irriga- does best in cool months.
tion and rigid pest control. Cauliflower - can be grown year-round, although
Carrot - can be grown year-round, although it it does best in cool months.
does best in cool months. Cucumber - grown year-round.
Cauliflower - can be grown year-round, although Egg Plant - grown year-round.
it does best in cool months. Lettuce - grown year-round.
Cucumber - can be grown year-round. Escellion - can be grown year-round.
Egg Plant - grown year-round. Okra - grown year-round at low elevations,
Escellion- can be grown year-round. grown in high areas during hot months.
Okra - grown year-round at low elevations, Pumpkin - grown year-round.
grown in high areas during hot months. Sorrel - planted to be reaped in December to Jan-
Pumpkin - grown year-round. uary.
String Beans - grown year-round, although it String Beans - grown year-round although it
does best during cool seasons. grows best during cool season or where eleva-
Tomato - grown year-round with irrigation. tions are high .
‘Give fools their gold, and knaves their power; let fortune's bubbles rise and fall; who sows
a field, or trains a flower, or plants a tree, is more than all’ Whittier, John Greenleaf

Escellion- can be grown year-round.
AUGUST Lettuce - grown year-round, but especially in
Beetroot - can be grown at high elevations all cool months (September to January).
year-round or on lowlands with irrigation. Okra - grown year-round at low elevations,
Cabbage - can be grown year-round with irriga- grown in high areas during hot months.
tion and good pest management. Onions - August to December.
Carrot - can be grown year-round , but does best Pumpkin - grown all year-round.
in cool months. Radish - does best during the cool months at high
Cauliflower - can be grown year-round, but does elevations.
best in cool months. Sweet Pepper - does best during the cool months
Cucumber - grown year-round. at high elevations.
Egg Plant - grown all year-round. String Beans - may be planted year-round, but
Escellion- can be grown year-round. does best during the cool season (September to
Lettuce - grown all year in high elevations. January).
Okra - grown year-round at low elevations, Tomato - may be planted year-round with irriga-
grown in high areas during hot months. tion where necessary, requires efficient pest man-
Onions - August to December. agement.
Pumpkin - grown year-round. Turnip - cool climate essential and thus turnips
String Beans - grown year-round, although it grow best at high elevations.
grows best during cool season or where eleva- Watermelon - September to April.
tions are high . Zucchini - begin planting.
OCTOBER
SEPTEMBER Beetroot - does best during cool months of Sep-
tember to January or on lowlands with irrigation.
Beetroot - does best during the cool months (Sep-
Cabbage - does best during the cool months.
tember to January) or on lowlands with irriga-
Cauliflower - does best during the cool months.
tion.
Cantaloupe - September to April.
Cabbage - does best during the cool months
Carrot - does best during the cool months.
(September to January); good pest management
essential.
mate; can be grown at low elevations during the
Carrot - does best during the cool months (Sep-
cool months (September to January).
tember to January).
Egg Plant - grown year-round.
Cauliflower - does best during the cool months.
(September to January).
Lettuce - grown year-round, especially in cool months
(September to January).
mate; can be grown at lower elevations during
Okra - grown year-round at low elevations, hot months
the cool months. (September to January).
in high areas.
Onion - August to December.

‘Life on a farm is a school of patience; you can't hurry the crops or make an ox in two days’
Alain, Henri

Tomato - grown year-round.
Radish - does best during the cool months at high ele- Turnip - cool climate essential, turnip grows best at
vations. high elevations.
Sweet Pepper - does best during the cool months at Watermelon - September to April.
high elevations. Zucchini- can be grown year-round.
String Beans - grown year-round, but does best during
cool season (September to January).
Tomato - grown year-round with irrigation where nec- DECEMBER
essary. Beetroot - does best during the cool months (September
Turnip - cool climate essential and thus turnips grow to January) or on lowlands with irrigation.
best at high elevations. Cabbage - does best during the cool months (Septem-
Watermelon - September to April. ber to January).
Zucchini - September to April. Carrot - can be grown year-round, but does best in cool
months with a good disease control programme.
NOVEMBER Cauliflower - can be grown year-round, but does best
in the cool months.
Beet root- does best during the cool months (September
to January); can be grown at high elevations year-round
Celery - does best at high elevations in a cool climate;
or on lowlands with irrigation.
can be grown at lower elevations during the cool
Cabbage - does best during the cool months (Septem-
months (September to January).
ber to January); can be grown year-round with irriga-
tion and good pest control.
Carrot - can be grown year-round, but does best in cool
months with a good disease control programme.
Lettuce - grown year-round.
Cauliflower- does best in the cool months.
Okra - grown year-round.
Celery - does best at high elevations in a cool climate;
can be grown at lower elevations during the cool
months (September to January).
Radish - does best during the cool months at high ele-
Cucumber - grown all year round.
vations.
Egg Plant - grown year-round, especially in the cool
Sweet Pepper - does best during the cool months at
months.
high elevations.
String Beans - grown year-round, but does best during
Okra - grown year-round at low elevations, hot months
the cool season.
in high areas.
Tomato - grown year-round.
Turnip - cool climate essential, turnips grow
best at high elevations.
Radish - does best during the cool months at high ele-
vations.
Zucchini- can be grown year-round.
Sweet Pepper - does best during the cool season at high
elevations.
String Beans - grown year-round, but does best dur-
ing cool season.

‘Whether the farmer ever digs for it or not, it is there, haunting his daydreams
when the burden of debt is most unbearable’ Brodie, Fawn M.
FERTILIZER GUIDE
P roper nutrition is essential for satisfac-

tory crop growth and production. The
use of soil tests can help to determine the
sues that may impact the effectiveness of the
system such as ph. PNMS may include cus-
tom blends.
status of plant available nutrients to develop 4. PNMS is presented to the customer for
fertilizer recommendations to achieve opti- discussion and implementation.
mum crop production. 5. The customer then makes the product pur-
Precise Nutrient Management (PNMS) chase
is Newport-Fersan (Jamaica) Limited’s 6. If a custom blend is required, once an
unique fertilizer programme that we offer to order is received, the Plant produces this
our farmers. custom blend (minimum order of 5 bags is
It involves the process of analyzing the required for each blend) within 3 days once
soil, and based on the deficiencies we see in raw material is available.
the soil, we will then make a fertilizer rec- 7. System is implemented and monitored.
ommendation specific to the farmer’s needs The monitoring is also assisted by the results
which will contain all the nutrients the crop of tissue analysis at key stages of plant de-
will need for growth and development. velopment.
These are the steps involved in the de- 8. The following benefits can be realized:
velopment of each system: a. Improved crop yields
1. Meet with customer to find out about cur- b. Probable reduction in fertilizer costs
rent or intended cropping system and yield c. Increase nutrient use efficiency
goal for crop. d. Reduction in pollution from field runoff
2. Conduct soil analyses for macro and mi-
croelements as well as pH etc.; In hydro- Submitted by
ponic systems, the water is sampled and Charmaine Mendez Blackford
analyzed. Irrigation water is also analyzed Technical Manager, Newport-Fersan (Ja) Ltd
when possible.
3. PNMS is developed to address all short-
falls in the soil and water as well as other is-
‘It is thus with farming, if you do one thing late, you will be late in all your work’
Cato The Elder
ORGANIC FERTILIZER GUIDE
O rganic fertilizers are materials derived from animal matter, human excreta or veg-
etable matter. (e.g. compost, manure). Naturally occurring organic fertilizers in-
clude animal wastes from meat processing, peat, manure, slurry, and guano. Organic
chemicals have Carbon integral to their structure.
The nutrient value of different organic matter in selective Organic Fertilizers.
Some of these values are tabulated below:
Organic Matter %N %P %K Availability of Nutrients
Alfa Alfa Hay 2-3 0.5-1 1-2 Medium

Bone Meal 1 11 0 Slow
Cottonseed Meal 6 3 1 Slow
Compost 1.5 0.5 1 Slow
Dried Blood 12 1.5 0.5 Rapid
Feather Meal 12 0 0 Medium
Fish Meal 10 4 0 Slow
Grass Clippings 1-2 0-0.5 1-2 Medium
Horn Meal 12-14 1.5-2 0 Medium
Leaves 1 0-0.5 0-0.5 Slow
Legumes 2-4 0-0.5 2-3 Medium
Cow Manure 0.25 0.15 0.25 Medium
Horse Manure 0.3 0.15 0.5 Medium
Sheep Manure 0.6 0.33 0.75 Medium
Swine Manure 0.3 0.3 0.3 Medium
Pine Needles Manure 0.5 0 1 Slow
Poultry Manure 2 2 1 Rapid
Saw Dust Manure 0-1 0-0.5 0-1 Slow
Sewage Manure 2-6 1-4 0-1 Moderate
Seaweed Manure 1 2 5 Rapid
Straw Manure 0-0.5 0-0.5 1 Slow
Wood Ashes 0 1-2 3-7 Rapid
Get your copy of
www.theagriculturalist.com • 923-7471
‘Like a gardener I believe what goes down must come up’
Giacomini, Lynwood L.
Fertilizer Application Guide

Avocado - 181 kg/ha or 454, 907, 1361 gm/1,2, 3 yr-old trees of 18-18-18 + 16-5-19.
Ackee - 457 gm/tree 18-18; increase dosage by 50 %after first year.
Arrowroot - 1009 kg/ha 18-9-18; after crop is established.
Beans, Bush - 280 kg/ha18-18-18 at planting + 134 kg/ha Sul. Am. sidedressed at 4 weeks.
Beans, Pole - 280 kg/ha18-18-18 at planting + 112 kg/ha Sul. Am. sidedressed at 4 weeks.
Beans, Lima - 280 kg/ha18-18-18 at planting + 112 kg/ha Sul. Am. sidedressed at 4 weeks.
Beets - 448 kg/ha 8-21-32 + 336 kg/ha Sul. Am. at mid-growth.
Broccoli - 616 kg/ha 11-22-22 + 560 kg/ha Sul. Am
Breadfruit - 457 gm/tree 18-18-18 or 13-11-19; increase to 2.269 kg/ tree at 10 yrs.
Banana/Plantain - 1089 kg/ha 15-5-35 or 1361 kg/ha 12-4-28 + MgO
Bell & Sweet Pepper - 617 kg/ha 11-22-22 + 168 kg/ha Sul. Am. as supplemental.
Corn (field)-560 kg/ha 18-18-18 + 168 kg/ha Sul. Am.or 448 kg/ha 11-22-22 + 336 kg/ha Sul. Am.
Corn (Sweet) - 560 kg/ha 18-18-18 + 168 kg/ha Sul. Am.or 448 kg/ha 11-22-22 + 336 kg/ha Sul. Am.
Cucumbers - 448 kg/ha 20-10-10
Coco - 448 kg/ha + 112 kg/ha. Sul. Am; In 2 split applications.
Cassava - 889 kg/ha8-21-32 + 448 kg/ha; sidedressed in 1 application.
Coconut - 2.27 kg 12-4-28/ tree per year in 2 split
Cocoa - 560 kg/ha 13-11-19 + 168 kg/ha mur potash + 112 kg/ha Sul. Am.
Coffee – 14-28-14 or 11-22-22 as a starter -- 0.91 kg/ha; Urea or Sul for growing trees per tree per year.
Citrus - 454 gm 16-9-18 per tree; in 3 split applications.
Callaloo - 616 kg/ha 11-22-22 + 168 kg/ha Sul. Am or Urea. Or 448 kg/ha 11-22-22 + 336 kg/ha.
Cabbage - 785 kg/ha 11-22-22 + 112 kg/ha Sul. Am
Cantaloupe - 448 kg/ha 20-10-10
Carrots - 168 kg/ha 8-21-32 + 168 kg/ha Sul. Am
Cauliflower - 617 kg/ha 11-22-22 + 561 kg/ha Sul. Am
Celery - 617 kg/ha 11-22-22 + 561 kg/ha Sul. Am
Dasheen - 448 kg/ha + 112 kg/ha. 17-0-17 or 17-0-23; at 4 months.
Egg Plant - 673 kg/ha 20-10-10
Ginger - 336 kg/ha 11-22-22; plus organic matter after crop is established.
Guava - 457 gm/tree 18-18-18 or 13-11-19; increase to 0.907 kg/ tree at 5 yrs.
Garlic - 448 kg/ha 8-21-32 + 224 kg/ha Sul. Am.
Grapes - 624 gm of 18-9-18 per tree per year; after yr. 1 increase by 50%
Grass
-Bermuda Bahan - 1794 kg/ha 16-5-19 + 90 kg/ha mur potash + 785 kg/ha Sul.
-Napier, Guinea - 1794 kg/ha 16-5-19 + 90 kg/ha mur potash + 785 kg/ha Sul.
-King, Guatemala; Trailing Grasses; Star, Pangola, etc. - 617 kg/ha 16-5-19 + 560 kg/ha Sul. Am.
Indian Kale - 616 kg/ha 18-18-18 + 168 kg/ha Sul. Am. or 448 kg/ha 11-22-22 + 336 kg/ha.
Irish Potatoes - 1289 kg/ha 11-22-22 + 224 kg/ha Sul. Am; in 1 application.
Lettuce (head/leaf) - 616 kg/ha 18-18-18 + 168 kg/ha Sul. Am. or 448 kg/ha 11-22-22 + 336 kg/ha.
Mustard - 785 kg/ha 11-22-22 + 561 kg/ha Sul. Am.
Continued on page 61
‘The first farmer was the first man. All historic nobility rests on the possession and use of land’
Emerson, Ralph Waldo
Continued from page 60

Fertilizer Application Guide
Mango - 202 kg per tree of 18-18-18.
Naseberry - 457 gm/tree 18-18-18 or 13-11-19; increase to 1.361 kg/tree at 10 yrs.
Okra - 561 kg/ha 11-22-22 + 561 kg/ha Sul. Am.
Onions - 561 kg/ha 18-18-18.
Pak Choi - 617 kg/ha 11-22-22 + 561 kg/ha Sul. Am.
Pumpkin - 617 kg/ha 11-22-22 + 168 kg/ha Sul. Am. as supplemental.
Pineapple - 613 kg/ha23-10-20 or 862 kg/ha 16-5-19 or 885 kg/ha 16-9-18.
Ot. Apple - 457 gm/tree 18-18-18 or 13-11-19; increase to 1.361 kg/ tree at 5 yrs.
Papaya - 624 gm of 18-9-18 per tree per year; after 1 yr increase by 50%.
Pimento - 457 gm/tree 18-18-18 or 13-11-19; increase to 2.269 kg/ tree at 10 yrs.
Peanuts - 336 kg/ha 11-22-22; plow before planting seeds.
Passion Fruit - 457 gm/tree 18-18-18 or 13-11-19; increase to 457 kg/ tree at 1 yr.
Peas - (all varieties) 336 kg/ha 18-18-18.
Pepper - 673 kg/ha 16-9-18 plus Sulphate.
Hot Peppers are being successfully grown with 16:9:18 plus Sulphate
Rice - 392 kg/ha 16-9-18; broadcast 20 & 50 days after transplanting.
Radish - 617 kg/ha 11-22-22 + 168 kg/ha Sul. Am.
Sorghum - 560 kg/ha 18-18-18 + 168 kg/ha Sul. Am. or 448 kg/ha 11-22-22 + 336 kg/ha Sul. Am.
Sugarcane - 987 kg/ha 16-9-19 or 785 kg/ha Sul. Am; in 2 applications.
Sweet Potatoes - 336 kg/ha 18-18-18 + 112 kg/ha Sul; Potash sidedressed.
Spinach - 785 kg/ha 11-22-22 + 224 kg/ha Sul. Am.
Squash - 617 kg/ha 11-22-22 + 168 kg/ha Sul. Am.
Tobacco - 448 kg/ha 8-21-32 & 112 kg/ha Sul. Am.
Tomatoes - 448 kg/ha 8-21-32 + 561 kg/ha Sul. Am.
Turnip - 785 kg/ha 11-22-22 + 672 kg/ha Sul. Am. as supplemental.
Watermelon - 617 kg/ha 11-22-22 + 168 kg/ha Sul. Am. as supplemental.
Yams - 392 kg/ha 11-22-22; in 3 split applications.

‘When tillage begins, other arts follow. The farmers, therefore,
are the founders of human civilization’ Daniel Webster
FARMER’S GUIDE - LIVESTOCK

BEEKEEPING production, calmness of bees when being
worked, and the absence of diseases. Mark
January: Register all apiaries with the Di- hives to be re-queened.
rector of Plant Protection, Bodles Research July: Continue checking for brood diseases
Station, Old Harbour. Add extra combs and and report anything unusual; ensure that the
frames of comb foundation to hives as re- honey stored in the hives is accessible to the
quired. Increase size of hive entrances for bees. Feed weak hives; unite any which
better ventilation. may be too weak to survive by themselves,
February: Continue adding extra combs despite feeding. Remove and store surplus
and frames of comb foundation or supers to combs from unoccupied supers. Render
hives as required. If queen excluders old, dark, broken and otherwise
are used, install them where necessary. undesirable combs into wax blocks.
Prepare equipment for harvesting: August: Continue July activities.
honey extractor, uncapping knife, September: Continue July and Au-
strainers and containers for stor- gust activities. Repair and repaint
age. old equipment as required. Pur-
March: Extract honey, if ripe. chase/order new equipment as re-
Begin marking high-producing quired.
hives from which to rear queens for October: Continue checking for brood
replacement and increase. diseases and report anything unusual. Feed
April: Continue honey extraction, continue bees where necessary, especially in rainy
marking high-producing hives. Start rear- areas if honey stores have run out. If con-
ing queens for May increase, using surplus ditions allow, start rearing replacement
bees from the end of the crop. Rear queens queens for the next season from the best
only from the most productive hives with hives which were identified in June. Store
calm temperament. Remove any frames of mated queens in nucleus boxes which are
comb foundation which the bees have not well-supplied with honey, or together in
drawn into combs. hives, caged or separated by queen exclud-
May: Extract honey if practicable, ensur- ers.
ing that enough is left on the hives for the November: Replace queens in hives which
dearth period. Remove queen excluders were marked in June. Make increases by
and apply other measures to reduce conges- adding combs and/or foundations to nu-
tion, increase ventilation and prevent cleus boxes with young queens. Check the
swarming. If increases are made, ensure laying performance of queens and replace
adequacy of honey and pollen reserves. undesirables with young queens from stor-
June: Check brood nests for diseases; in- age.
form the Director of Plant Protection, Bo- December: Continue replacing inferior
dles Research Station, Old Harbour, queens. Increase hive capacity by adding
promptly about any unusual conditions extra combs and foundations, or supers, as
which suggest that the bees are sick. De- required. Ensure that the stock of equip-
termine which hives are the best for selec- ment is adequate for the coming season.
tion of breeding stock based on high honey

‘Give fools their gold, and knaves their power; let fortune's bubbles rise and fall; who
sows a field, or trains a flower, or plants a tree, is more than all’ Whittier, John Greenleaf
July: Supplement pasture with hay and/or

CATTLE & PASTURE silage to maintain animals in good condition
January: Identify each animal in the herd and steady production; control parasites;
(tattoo, earmarks or brand); maintain proper maintain spraying and deworming cycles;
system of recording. Consult veterinarian maintain a high level of sanitation; remove
as to proper breeding and record system, and manure from around milking areas to con-
the implementation of a proper deworming trol flies; intensify preparation of animals
and external parasite control programme - for the agricultural show.
preferably on a planned basis. August: Exhibit animals at the agricultural
February: Observe cows and heifers in show - take adequate feed to maintain them
early morning and late afternoon to detect over three (3) days; improve roadways and
‘heat’ and have them bred; ensure adequate lanes to milking parlours; continue feeding
supply of clean drinking water and balanced hay and silage; pro-
diet, where irrigation is available. vide mineral licks for
March: Pregnancy test cows and heifers animals; vaccinate
(consult veterinarian); continue feeding hay calves against blackleg
and/or silage when pastures are low; have before
calves vaccinated against black-leg before September
the rains begin, (especially in the St. Eliza- r a i n s ;
beth area); start preparing animals for Den- clean all
bigh Show; protect cows in milk production drains.
and subsequently revenue. September: Renovate and fertilize pas-
April: Renovate old pastures and plant new tures; continue routine control of parasites;
ones where practicable; clean drains before maintain adequate supply of clean drinking
May rains. Conserve feed (fodder) where water. Project cows’ milk production and
possible e.g., silage; control parasites - subsequently revenue.
maintain spraying and de-worming cycle. October: Continue renovation of pastures.
May: Continue to conserve feed for use in Observe cows and heifers daily for signs of
dry months, make silage where practicable; ‘heat’ and call your Inseminator early; main-
stump and renovate pastures; improve road- tain records (service, productions, finan-
ways and lanes to milking sheds; Fertilize cial).
pastures after the May rains. November: Fertilize and prepare pasture
June: Continue fodder conservation for dry for dry season; maintain spraying cycle;
months - make hay if weather conditions check animals for foot rot and test for fertil-
permit; also complete fertilization after the ity, cull as records show; consult veterinar-
May rains; run a complete integrity test on ian.
dairy equipment; check cows and heifers for December: Update all records (farm and fi-
fertility - consult your veterinarian. Project nancial) budget capital and recurrent; eval-
cows’ milk production and subsequently uate and cull herd (make use of records);
revenue. California Mastitis Test (CMT) for inspect cows for mastitis and treat if neces-
all milking animals can be done once yearly, sary - use CMT; evaluate dairymen's per-
but for large farms where there are few formance- change personnel according to
budgetary constraints, it can be done twice appraisal; run a complete integrity test on
annually. dairy equipment.

‘A good farmer is nothing more nor less than a handy man with a sense of humus’
White, Elwyn Brooks
POULTRY handling of the flock;

abrupt change of feed
January: Consult your vet on a vacc-ination or water; over-crowd-
programme for the chickens; purchase day-old ing; and thin litter.
chickens from hatcheries which vaccinate the Monitor chicken house
chickens against Newcastle disease, infectious temperature.
bronchitis and Marek’s disease; debeak layer August: Debeak pullets
chickens. to avoid pecking; avoid
February: To prevent the spread of disease and over-crowding; ensure
injury to birds, employ a rigid sanitation pro- even distribution of
gramme and common sense in handling the feed and water. Monitor
birds. Ensure adequate feeding, watering and chicken house temperature.
good sanitation. September: Ensure that broiler houses are in
March: Vaccinate against fowl pox at 2-3 good condition to accommodate day-old chicks
weeks with pigeon pox vaccine, and at 10-12 in October; consult the Marketing Division of
weeks with fowl pox vaccine. the Ministry of Agriculture on the market situ-
April: Inspect all records and cull poor per- ation for broiler meat for the end of the year;
formers; maintain proper sanitation; avoid cull weak, diseased, poor performers in the
chilling or over-heating in transporting chick- layer flock.
ens from hatchery to farm. October: Buy day-old broiler chickens to meet
May: Buy day-old layer chicks to meet Christ- Christmas market; chickens should be free of
mas egg market; review vaccination pro- twisted beaks or malformed legs; ensure chicks
gramme; ensure adequate feed and water, are vaccinated against common diseases; con-
investigate any high mortality and contact your sult your vet.
veterinarian. November: Ensure proper sanitation; pay strict
June: Ensure adequate lighting and good san- attention to disease control; ensure ‘foot baths’
itation; day-old chicks must be vaccinated are working; burn or bury all dead birds.
against Marek’s disease before purchase; en- December: Start to set eggs for hatching early
sure proper record-keeping of the chickens’ ac- in the new year; maintain proper sanitation; en-
tivities. sure that laying boxes or cages are in good con-
July: Avoid the following conditions that might dition.
cause stress in the flock; excessive moving or
Tip - Chicken House

Chicken houses must provide shelter and protection for the birds
that will live in them, an example is rat proofing. Chicken house
must also be hygienic—featuring changeable flooring (like sawdust,
woodchips or sand), ventilation and room for humans to clean.
Chicken house must also provide warmth through insulation, heat
lamps, or extra bedding and nesting material for layers.

‘A friendly study of the world's religions is a sacred duty’
John Fischer
Brooding Management
The First Two Weeks Of Life
A s baby chicks are unable to control
their internal temperature for the first
10 days of life, you have to keep them warm
Correct temp-
Optimal
situation:
just like a mother hen would by brooding. Chicks sound
Brooding is an essential practice in contented and
raising broilers and is the basis for achieving are evenly
good results. Often in small scale farming, distributed
heat lamps are used along with curtains or around the
cardboard to prevent cold drafts of air from brooder
blowing through the chicken house.
The chicks’ position relative to the heat The way you should position the
source is an important indicator of comfort. brooder depends on its heat output and the
Chicks are best observed at night as a guide insulation of the house.
to establishing whether they are comfortable Where heat bulbs are used for brood-
or not. ing, at least 400 watts is effective in satisfy-
Comfort can be ing the heat requirement of 1,000 birds.
verified as follows: A brooding ring- a small area, within
the house, that can comfortably accommo-
Too cold- date the baby chicks should be enclosed to
Temperature too concentrate heat in the brooding area.
low: Chicks will Brooding rings can be constructed of wire
huddle under the and covered with paper.
brooder Whatever the brooding system, the de-
sirable temperature should be maintained at
35ºC (95ºF) throughout the first week re-
Too hot- gardless of outdoor temperature.
Temperature too The brooding temperature should be
high: Chicks move reduced by 5ºF each week until the ambient
away from heat house temperature of 82°-85° is reached.
source and group Brooder height should be adjusted accord-
near the sides of ing to the bird’s need with the aim of main-
the house taining an ideal environment.
The ideal environment means:
- Free of draft
Drafty- - Adequate spacing
Cold Air Currents: - Correct temperature
Chicks will huddle - Enough feeders and waterers
in one area to
avoid draft Courtesy of
Jamaica Broilers Group Limited

‘A good man is not a perfect man; a good man is an honest man, faithful, and
unhesitatingly responsive to the voice of God in his life’ Joseph Fort Newton
PIGS mals; continue preparation of animals

for agricultural show.
January: Ensure proper housing and August: Continue farrowing; present
breeding facilities are in place; secure animals at the agricultural show; reduce
breeding stock and reliable marketing breeding to match slow market period
outlet for pigs. (April-July 2020); ensure proper sanita-
February: Obtain animals, set up feed- tion.
ing/breeding schedule; consult your vet September: Maintain buildings and
on health programme; put in place other equipment (e.g., floors, scales,
proper record-keeping. etc.) in good condition; deworm all pigs;
March: Breed females to have wean- consult your vet.
ers in September and pork October: Select females
for the tourist season. and boars for breeding;
April: Continue retain animals with
breeding and ensure large litters (8 piglets
proper care of sow al- upwards), fast-growing
ready bred; maintain pigs and good carcasses;
proper sanitation. breed to produce market
May: Observe breeding stock, pigs in (July-August
consult vet; check carcass grades; 2018). Check for coc-
breed to produce market pigs in cidiosis; keep litter dry.
February- March 2020 and for tourist November: Cull poor performance
trade. sows (small litter size, lack of milk, poor
June: Clean and sanitize the farrowing mothering ability).
area; prepare to move sow to farrowing December: Select gifts and sows to be
area; be present at farrowing time; pre- bred, breed to produce market pigs in
pare animals for agricultural show. September-October 2018.
July: After farrowing identify piglets,
clip needle teeth, administer iron at day
one and ten; consult the vet; weigh ani-
USEFUL TIPS
Space Considerations – Before you raising piglets you need to have a
pen and some sort of shelter. If the pen is small, the piglets will grow
faster because they will not have as much room to exercise. Also, in a
smaller area, parasites have more of a chance to grow.
Breeds matter – Different breeds of pigs have different qualities, includ-

ing differences in size, meat quality and temperament. These are things
you will want to investigate when choosing your piglets.

‘Belief is truth held in the mind; faith is a fire in the heart’
Becky Laird
SHEEP AND GOATS August: Deworm to meet rainy season;

arrange “foot bath” to prevent foot rot.
January: Check for mange and lice, treat September: Treat navel of kids with tinc-
if necessary; deworm; start weaning kids ture of iodine; arrange dry place for lamb/or
born early November and harvest milk for kids; identify pregnant does and start pro-
home consumption. Milk should be pas- viding them with additional feed in prepa-
teurized and herd should be certified free ration for kidding.
of T.B. and brucellosis. October: Breed ewes to lamb and/or kid
February: Deworm animals; control exter- in March, treat navel with tincture of io-
nal parasites; observe does dine; deworm if necessary; observe for
for heat and mate those that signs of foot rot and treat early; continue
are at breeding weight;
feeding pregnant does.
continue weaning and
November: Breed ewes
utilize milk for
to lamb and/or kid
home consump-
in April; con-
tion.
tinue obser-
March: Co-op-
vations for
erate with Data
foot rot; dip
Bank officers in
navels in io-
livestock cen-
dine; help
sus. Treat navels
weak kids to
with tincture of
nurse where possible. Observe animals for
iodine; deworm animals - consult your vet-
signs of difficulty during kidding.
erinarian; select replacement females and
December: Control external parasites;
start fattening animals for the holiday sea-
son. Consult Veterinarian re: vaccination
properly disinfect houses and pens; consult
programmes e.g. Tetanus and blackleg. the vet; maintain proper sanitation for
April: Co-operate with Data Bank officers young kids and ensure high quality feed for
in livestock census; deworm all animals be- lactating does.
fore rainy season; breed ewes to lamb
and/or kid in September. REMOVE HORNS OR
May: Increase quality and quantity of feed HAVE POLLED ANIMALS
to does in preparation for the breeding sea- It’s a good idea to disbud or have
son; breed ewes to lamb and/or kid in Oc-
polled animals anyways for safety
tober.
reasons. Horns can easily get
June: Shear all sheep; examine and trim
caught in fences and can create
hooves (sheep and goats) if necessary; de-
an emergency situation.
worm; expect goats to start coming on
Goats are notorious for getting their
heat; select does and mate to good quality
heads through fences, getting their
bucks.
horns caught and then screaming
July: Continue close observation of herd
for signs of animals on heat; continue and attracting predators that
breeding. take advantage of the
caught animal.

‘Recognizing that all we do is by His power, we honor God; He in turn blesses us’
Frederick Buechner
July: Market fatteners and low producers; en-

RABBITS sure that animals are well-protected from
January: Cages for rabbits should be well se- dogs, etc.
cured with mesh wire (1/2"x 5/8"); maintain August: Prepare new cages for expansion; se-
good sanitation. lect the fastest-growing bucks and does for
February: Control flies, ensure clean water breeding; cull and slaughter for meat;
and feed at regular intervals, and consult vet. ensure proper sanitation.
March: Offer pelleted feed plus fresh September: Mate sel-ected rabbits
grass or Spanish Needle at regular in- (avoid mating bucks with related
tervals; maintain proper sanitation, does); note those with small litter
inspect regularly and isolate sick for culling; maintain proper sani-
animals. tation.
April: Breed does (all through the October: Begin fattening animals
year); equip cage with litter box for holiday season; maintain proper
containing dry grass or hay - expect sanitation, examine cages and repair if
litter 31 days after breeding; maintain proper necessary, also ensure protection from dogs.
sanitation. November: Select your best stock or intro-
May: Check litter boxes 12 hours after doe duce new animals and continue breeding; con-
litters - remove dead and deformed rabbits; tinue fattening for holiday season.
observe proper sanitation; and provide ade- December: Sell finished animals, as well as
quate feed and water at all times. low-producing bucks and does; examine and
June: Wean young rabbits by eight (8) weeks; strengthen cages; ensure rabbits are protected
separate young bucks from young does. from dogs, etc.
SEA FISHERIES
May: Closed season for Lobster continues.
January: Usually strong winds. Prepare gear
Continue fishing for Mackerel, King Fish
for trolling when weather subsides. Be on the
and Shrimp.
look out for Goggle Eye Jack run: owners
July: Open season for Lobster (do not land
of carrier vessels do not take fisher men to
egg-bearing and undersized Lobsters).
Morant and Pedro Cays.
Good catch expected: rough weather.
February: Good trolling expected on the
August: Fish for Groupers and Marlin,
south coast shelf, nearby banks and deep
particularly on the North Coast. Good
edges (Wahoo, Dolphins, Albacore, Yellow
weather.
Fin Tuna, Rainbow Runner and Bonito).
September: Continue fishing for Groupers.
March: Good catch of demersal species. Use
October: Continue fishing for Groupers.
pots, lines and nets. Usually good weather.
November: Rough weather; prepare gear
April: Start fishing on main shelf banks for
for trolling when weather subsides to fish
King Fish and Mackerel. Wahoo now in deep
for Dolphin, Rainbow Runner, Tuna, etc.
water, weigh down lines and bait. Fish for
Make arrangements to apply for December li-
Shrimp, Grunt and Parrot etc. Closed season
cense to fish at Morant and Pedro Cays.
for Lobster begins. (Restaurants and Hotels
December: Continue to prepare gear for
having lobsters stored should make declara-
trolling when weather subsides. Make appli-
tion to Director of Fisheries for assurance of
cation to the Fisheries Division to fish Morant
certificate.
and Pedro Cays.

The Agriculturalist is the trusted source
of news and information for an estimated
200,000 readers. Audience of mainly farmers,
farmers leaders, extension officers agricultural
educators and farm mamagers who are affluent,
well-educated and professionals
- a high value target to advertisers.
Produced & Published by:

Agri Life Foundation Ltd
AMC Complex, 188 Spanish Town Road, Kingston 11, Jamaica, W.I.
Tel: 876-923-7471 • 876-923-7428 • (C) 876-909-0770
editor@theagriculturalist.com

Eat what we grow… Grow what we eat’
Over the past eight 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 the nation
Noranda Jamaica Bauxite Partners

Browns Town, St Ann, Jamaica WI.
876-725-2880 • www.norandaalumina.com

‘For what is faith unless it is to believe what you do not see?’
Richard J. Foster
Increase Your Yields with Drip Irrigation

Courtesy of
Jamaica Drip Irrigation
T hink of an automated system deliv-

ering the right amount of water
(and nutrients) to your plants for the
ideal amount of time — that is drip irri-
gation. Studies show that well-designed
drip irrigation systems use at least 30
percent, and in some cases up to 50 per-
cent, less water than other methods of
watering such as sprinkling.
Almost no water is lost through
surface runoff or evaporation and soil
particles can absorb and hold water for • Better apply fertilizers through the use
your plants. It also means very few nu- of fertilizer dispensers
trients leach down beyond the reach of • Eliminate soil erosion
plant roots. • Use a system designed to work with
Furthermore, since drip irrigation all types of terrain and soil conditions
delivers water directly to the plants you Drip irrigation is great for row
want to grow, less is wasted on weeds. crops such as carrots and peas, and also
The soil surface between the plants ac- for watering trees and shrubs or a series
tually remains drier, which discourages of containers, you’ll probably want to
weed seeds from sprouting. set up a more sophisticated system.
For busy farmers, the main benefit Although each system is designed
of drip irrigation is the saving of both according to specifications such as type
time and money. Drip irrigation systems of crops, land and water source. The
eliminate the need to drag around hoses general components are a main control
and sprinklers. head, filtration, fertigation, main lines,
For systems that use a timer, farm- sub mains and lateral drip lines.
ers need only spend a few seconds to The best part is that drip irrigation
turn the system on and the timer will au- systems can be scaled to fit your needs
tomatically turn off thus saving on costs whether you have a home garden, lawn
for water in the long run. or a large farm.
Additionally, installing a drip irri- Jamaica Drip Irrigation has been
gation system allows you to: the leading provider of drip irrigation
• Improve crop yields systems across Jamaica for over 30
• Control fungal diseases years. Talk to us about how you could
become our next satisfied customer!

‘God's heart is the most sensitive and tender of all. No act goes unnoticed,
no matter how insignificant or small’ The Dalai Lama
8 habits of growing healthy kids

1. Spend at least one hour 6. Eat less fast food (no
a day being physically more than once a week).
active. Choose smaller portions
2. Limit TV, computer if you do eat out.
games and the Internet to 7. Snack on healthy
no more than one hour a foods and eat less junk
day. food and sweets.
3. Don’t eat in front of 8. Switch to 1% or fat-
the TV. free dairy products.
4. Drink water instead of 5. Eat more fruits and
soda. vegetables.

‘For God Himself works in our souls, in the deepest depths, taking increasing
control as we are progressively willing to be prepared for His wonder’ - Augustine
RECIPES
JAMAICAN JERK CHICKEN
Ingredients
• 8 chicken breasts (cut into 2-inch cubes)
• Jerk Chicken Sauce/Jerk Seasoning
• Ziploc freezer bag or large bowl
• Wooden kabob skewers SORREL FRUIT CAKE
INGREDIENTS
Directions
• 2 cups sorrel pulp
• Place the chicken cubes in a
(Saved from making sorrel drink)
mixing bowl and add the wet-
• 7 oz margarine
seasoning to it.
• 3 eggs
• Mix them well together so
• 2 cups flour
that the chicken is thoroughly
• 2 tsp almond essence
coated with the seasoning and
• ½ cup brown sugar
then transfer it to a zip bag.
• 1 tsp baking powder
• Pace the bag in the refrigera-
• 1 cup mixed fruits
tor and leave it to rest
• 1½ cup cherry brandy
overnight.
• 2 tsp vanilla
• Take a small mixing bowl
• 1 tsp mixed spice
and mix together some barbecue sauce with
the jerk-seasoning (arrange the quantities as • ½ cup browning
per taste) and let it rest in the refrigerator.
METHOD
1. Blend the sorrel pulp
Grilling
2. Soak mixed fruits in 1 cup cherry
• Let the wooden skewers soak in water for
brandy, then blend with the sorrel pulp
an hour or so.
3. Cream together margarine and sugar
• Pierce the skewer through the chicken
until light
pieces such that each skewer gets around 5-
4. Whisk the eggs. Add the eggs to the
6 chicken pieces over it.
butter mixture
• Prepare the grill at 350 degrees and grease
5. Add blended fruits to the mix.
it with cooking oil or butter, as preferred.
6. Put all the dry ingredients in a bowl and
• Arrange the skewers on the grill and cook
combine.
it with covered lid from both the sides,
7. Add the dry ingredients to mixture while
roughly 5 minutes on each side.
alternately with the ½ remaining brandy.
• Keep on brushing the chicken pieces with
8. Add the browning and mix
the barbecue sauce so that they absorb more
9. Pour the cake batter into a greased bak-
flavors and don’t dry out. Once done,
ing pan
arrange them over a platter and serve piping
10. Place into the oven and . Bake at 350F
hot!
for bake until done (approx. 1 hour)
11. Serve with a sorrel drink or rum punch

‘Difficulties are meant to rouse, not discourage. The human
spirit is to grow strong by conflict’ Oliver Wendell Holmes
CROP PRODUCTION PLANNING CHART

CROP SPACING PLANTS TIME TO FULL YIELD PER
(SEEDLINGS) FT PER AC. FIRST BEARING ACRE
Ackee 30 x 30 48 2-3 yrs 7 yrs 2,500 dozen
Annatto 12 x 12 303 2 yrs 4 yrs 550 lbs
Avocado 21 x 21 99 4 yrs 7 yrs 200 dozen
Banana 7x9 692 9 mths 1 yr 8-10 tons
Plantains 7x7 889 1 yr 1 yr 6 tons
Cashew 30 x 30 48 5 yrs 10 yrs 10 bushels of nut
(20 kerosene tins)
Coconuts:
Dwarfs 20 x 20 109 4 yrs 7 yrs 1.4 tons copra
May Pan 24 x 24 76 4 1/2 yrs 7 yrs 1.5 tons copra
Cocoa 10 x 10 436 2 1/2 yrs 51/2 yrs 10,000 pods

(40 boxes or 2,280 lbs
wet or dry 1000 lbs
Coffee 10 x 5 871 3 yrs 5 yrs 50-80 boxes
(Blue Mountain)
150- 200 boxes
(Lowland)
Cassava 3-4 Row (in)
3 Row (apart) 20,000 9 mths 1 yr 3-5 Metric tons
Grapefruit
or Ugli 24 x 20 92 3 yrs 7 yrs 800 boxes
Valencia and
Parson Brown 22 x 11 182 3 yrs 7 yrs 675 boxes
Lime 15 x 15 194 3 yrs 7 yrs 1,500 boxes
Ortanique 18 x 18 135 3 yrs 7 yrs 500 boxes
Guava 15 x 15 194 3 yrs 6 yrs 2,000 lbs
Kola Nut 30 x 30 48 7 yrs 10 yrs 400-800 nuts
Nutmeg 30 x 30 48 8 yrs 15 yrs 96,000 nuts+192 lbs
mace
Pawpaw 10 x 5 1,210 10 mths 1 yr 12,000 lbs per yrs
Pimento 25 x 25 70 4 yrs 25 yrs 4,000 dried
Soursop 18 x 18 134 3 yrs 5 yrs 1,750 lb
Mango 15 x 15 194 3 yrs 5 yrs -----
Other Crops
Sugar Cane Btw Rows- 5-6 3-4 tons 16 mths 7 yrs 28-35 tons
Yams Holes -1.5 x 1.5 x 1.5 3-4,000 7-9 mths - 6 to 8 tons

Yellow Yam 6x6 “ “
Negro 6x6 “ “
Lucea 6x6 “ “

‘Every calling is great when greatly pursued’
Mother Teresa
VEGETABLE PRODUCTION PLANNING CHART

CROP PLANT SPACING SEED SEED DAYS TO NORMAL
IN ROW & DEPTH SPACING HARVEST YIELDS
Betw. ROWS
Beans 2"-4" 16"-24" 3/4"-2" 2"-2 1/2" 60-70 6,000 lbs

Beet 2"-3" 12"-24" 1/4"-1/2" 1/2"-1" 55-70 6,000 lbs
Callaloo 8"-10" 18"-24" 1/4" -- 140-154 20 tons
Cabbage 12"-18" 16"-30" " -- 90-120 12,000 lbs
Carrot 2"-4" 6"-24" 1/4" 1/4" 70-100 10,000 lbs
Corn, Sweet 10"-12" 30"-36" 1"-2" 5"-6" 100-130 12,000 lbs
Cucumber 12" 36"-48" 11/2" 3/hole 50-65 12,000 lbs
Egg Plant 18"-24" 24"-36" 1/2" -- 60-80 8,000 lbs
Hot Pepper 24"-36" 48"-60" 1/2" -- 90-120 25,000 lbs
Lettuce 10"-12" 12"-24" 1/2" -- 70-84 8,000 lbs
Pak Choy 10"-12" 12"-24" 1/4"-1/2" 1/2"-1" 75-85 10,000 lbs
Peanut 4" 12"-18" 3/4"-1.5" 1 110-120 1,500 lbs
Okra 18"-24" 28"-36' 1/2"-1" 4"-6" 50-70 4,000 lbs
Onion 2"-3" 6"-24" 1/2" 1/4" 70-100 8,000 lbs
Sweet Pepper 15"-20" 24"-30" 1/2” -- 120-180 13,500 lbs
Radish 2"-3” 12"-18" 1/2" 1/2"-3/4" 12-30 4,000 lbs
Tomato 24"-48" 36-60" 1/2" -- 55-90 12,000 lbs
Turnip 2"-5" 12"-24" 1/2" 1/2"-1" 45-65 8,000 lbs
Watermelon 36"-48" 60" 1/2"-1" 6/hill 100-120 6,000 lbs
NOTES:
• Planting spaces in-the-row are final spacings after thinning. Between-row-spacings vary greatly depend-
ing on seedbed style, variety size and need for foot or equipment passage.
• Cabbage, callaloo, eggplant, lettuce, peppers, tomato commonly transplanted.
• Soak okra seeds overnight to improve germination speed and rate.
• The days to harvest vary with variety, weather conditions and methods of propagation.
• Bulb onions are usually grown from transplants or seedlings rather than direct seeding
(except under very good management).
• Staked tomato plants can be spaced much closer together than unstaked ones.
• The yields of vegetables can vary greatly with cultural practices, growing season and management. A
good yield in one area might be considered average or mediocre in another area.
• Some direct planted vegetables like cabbage, okra and lettuce can be cluster planted in holes using the
after thinning spacing.
The data above serves only as a guideline and it may be influenced by a number of factors. These
include method of cultivation; slope of land; climatic conditions; soil type; variety; methods of
propagation. For further information on any crops, consult the Rural Agricultural Development
Authority (RADA) or the respective commodity boards.
CONVERSION: 1 gram = 0.03527 ozs

1 kgram = 35.274 ozs
1 kgram = 2.205 lbs
1 metric ton (1,000 kg) = 1.102 short V.S tons
1 metric ton (1,000 kg) = 0.984 long V.S tons
1 metric ton (1,000 kg) = 2204.6 lbs

‘God doesn't look at how much we do, but with how much love we do it’ - Denis Waitley
Homemade Organic Pesticides

L earn about using homemade organic
pesticides that farmers have known
about for centuries. These are items that
Mix all ingredients and spray immedi-
ately. You don't have to let this set, but you
can’t store it either. This solution must be
many people have right in their home or that made fresh for each use.
can be purchased inexpensively.
Salt Spray:
Tobacco or Nicotine Spray: This solution is used for cabbageworms and
This mixture is great for combating many spider mites. 2 tablespoons of salt; 1 gallon
different types of bugs, but especially cater- of water; Just mix and spray!
pillars, aphids and many types of those nasty
worms. Garlic Spray:
What you need:1 cup of tobacco. 1 gal- Here is the recipe for a garlic spray that
lon of water. fights slugs too. Slugs must not like eating
Put the tobacco into the container of Italian.
water. Allow the mixture to set for approxi- To make this smelly spray, use the fol-
mately 24 hours. After it has stood for a day, lowing list of ingredients: 1 garlic bulb; 1
check the colour. It should be the shade of quart of water; 1 medium onion; 1 table-
weak tea. If it is too dark, just dilute it with spoon of cayenne pepper; 1 tablespoon liq-
water until it looks right. uid dish soap
*Warning: Don't use this solution on Crush the garlic, mincing it fine. Add
peppers, tomatoes, eggplants or any other finely chopped onion to the mixture, while
member of the solanaceous family. Tobacco adding the rest of the ingredients except the
chemicals can kill these types of plants! soap. Wait an hour before adding the soap
to the mixture.
Soap Spray: The spicy ingredients must sort of stew
Another way to stop the slugs is with soapy or steep, almost like tea. After an hour, add
water. That's right, you can just use your old, the soap and your non-toxic spray is ready
dirty dishwater! to use! This can be stored in the fridge for a
Collect some of the water in a pan and week.
pour it into a watering can or even use a
pitcher to pour it over the plants. This works Buttermilk and Flour Spray:
really well on hostas and mums, but also can Garlic spray is great for getting rid of cut-
be used on other hardy plants. Many bugs worms, wireworms, whiteflies and slugs
do not like their lunch spoiled by a soapy af- too.
tertaste! What you need: 1 pint of water; 1/4
For a stronger solution, mix 3 table- cup of dish liquid; 2 teaspoons of paraffin;
spoons of liquid detergent into a gallon of 6 tablespoons of chopped garlic.
water, I prefer Dawn, but any will do. Use Soak the whole garlic in the liquid
this weekly. paraffin for at least 24 hours. After a day,
Alcohol Spray: add the dish liquid and water to the mixture.
This spray really is great for houseplants. Remember to shake it very well. Strain the
This especially works on meal bugs. solution and store it in a glass jar. This lasts
1/2 cup of alcohol; 2-3 tablespoons of dry around a week.
laundry soap; 1 quart of warm water

‘He who is filled with love is filled with God himself’
Mother Teresa
MEASUREMENTS

WEED CONTROL GUIDE
(Herbicides for Crops and Ornamentals)
Chemicals Mode of action/ Major Crops Per Hectare Per Acre (Pts./Lbs.)
Systemic: Kill broad leaves in sugar 2-3 lts. 2-3 pts.
2,4-D Amine 480 G/L
cane, rice, corn and pasture.
Systemic: Corn , Lawns, Pastures, 2-3 lts. 2-3 pts.
2,4-D Amine 480 SC
sorghum, Suger Cane
Actril –DS 70 EC Systemic:Sugar Cane, Citrus 0.25 - 0.5 lts. 0.5 -1 pt.
Systemic: Corn,Cotton, pastures, 1-10 oz/acra

Ally XP (60 DF)
Sorghum, Suger Cane
Contact: Banana, Citrus, Cocoa, 6.0 lts. 6 pts.
Ametrex 50.0 SC
Coconut,
Amigan 50.0 SC Contact: Citrus, Corn, 3-4 lt
Systemic: Avocado, Banana, Citrus,
Amigan 65 WP Cocoa, Coconut, Coffee, Pineapple, 5kg in 500 l water 3 kg in 300 l water
Suger Cane
Systemic: Corn,Lawns, Pastures,
Amine 6D 2 kg 1 pt. 2 lbs
Non-crop site, Suger Cane
Asulam 40 Contact: Banana, Citrus, Sugar Cane 1l
.5 pt
Asulox 40 EC Systemic: Banana, Citrus, Sugar Cane
Atremet Combi 50.0 6-8 lt/ha

Systemic: Pineapple, Sugar Cane
SC
Certorl DS Systemic: citrus, Suger Cane 5.0 lts. 2 pts.
Command 48 EC Systemic: Sugar Cane
Contact: Cotton, Non-Crop Sites, 4.0-5.5 lts. 10 lbs.
Daconate 6 EC
Tuff Grass
Contact: Banana, Citrus, Cotton, 3 –4 lts. 3 pts.
Diurex 80 SC
Pineapple, Suger Cane
Systemic: Banana, Citrus, 3.5 lts. 4 pts.
Diurex 80.0 WP
Sugar Cane, Pineapple
systemic: Citrus, Sugar Cane, 1bs lbs
Diuron 80 WP
Non-Crop Site
Conctact: Citrus, Non Crop Sites, 5 lts. 4-6 pts.
Diuron 800 FLO
Sugar Cane
2 lts - 2.5lts. 0.8litre - 1 litre
Systemic: Beans, Cauliflower, Cotton,
Dual Gold 960 EC Cucumber,Maize, Pea, Peanut, Potato
(irish) Sugar Cane, Tomato
Systemic: Cabbage, Carrot, 1.5 lts. 0.5 Lts.

Fusilade 2000 EC Cauliflower, Cucumber, pea,
Pepper, Tomato
Contact: Avocado, Banana,Citrus, 3 lt/ha 1.5 lt/ha
Gai-Quat 200 Coffee, Cocoa, Mango, Papaya,
Sugar Cane
Systemic: Banana, Citrus, Coffee, 4 pt 1 pt
Gromacial CS
Suger Cane, Vegetables
Systemic: Banana, Citrus, Coffee, 2 l /ha 1 l /ha
Glyphos-Maxx SL
Mango, Suger Cane
Systemic: Fruits, and Vegetables, 3l-4l 1.5 - 2 L
Glyphosate 41% SL
Non-Crop Sites
Contact: Banana, Citrus, Coffee, 3 litres - 4 litres 1.5Litres - 2 Litres
Gramoxone Super
Papaya, Sugar Cane, Vegetables
Systemic: Banana, Citrus, Pineapple, 4-8 pts.
Gesapax 80 WDG
Plantain & Sugar Cane
Systemic: Citrus, Non-crops sites, 2-4% Mix. 5-6 lt 4-8pts.
Hyvar 80 WP
Pineapple
Igran 500 SC Systemic: Sugar Cane “ 3-5 pts.
Image 1.5 LC Systemic: Turf Grass
Systemic: Banana, Citrus, Corn, 3-6 lbs
Cotton, Grape, Non-Crop Sites,
Karmex DF
Papaya, Plantain, Sorghum,
Sugar Cane
Katana 25 WG Contact: Sugar Cane
Krismat 75 WG Systemic: Sugar Cane 2kg - 2.5 kg 0.8 kg - 1.5kg
Krovar 1 DF Systemic: Citrus, Non-Crop Sites 5 lts. 3-6 ozs.
Carrot, Corn, Non-Crop Sites, 1.5 lb
Lorox DF
Ornamentals, Potato (irish)
Merlin 75 WDG Systemic: Sugar Cane
WEED CONTROL GUIDE
(Herbicides for Crops and Ornamentals)
, ( )
Merlin 75 WDG Systemic: Sugar Cane
Contact: Citrus,Turf Grass, Non-Crop 1.5-3.0 lts. 1-2 pts.
Msma 480 G/L
Sites, Sugar cane
Nabu-s Systemic: Citrus, Sugar Cane 4.5-l
Ortho Weed-B-Gon 2-3 l
Contact: Lawns
Lawn Weed Killer
Contact: Banana, Citrus, Coconut, 1-2 l

Paraquat Super 27.6 % Coffee, Non-crop Sites, Papaya, Spot
Treatment, Sugar Cane
Pineapple, Coffee, Sugar cane and 2-4kg
Pilardir
Orchard Crops
Pilarmetryn Pineapple; Sugarcane &Banana Crops 2-8lt 0.8 -3.2 l
Vegetables (Tomato, Irish potato ,
Pilarbuzin Carrot & Sweet Potato, 0.21-2kg 84 - 450 grams
Field crop –Sugar cane
!"#$$#%&'()**)+,'-().%&/%#0,"'-
Pilargola (&1".2'(#//,,'-(#11#3'-43&#3'-- ;<=>%-1#-?;@A<>% <=>%-B;@<>%
52$)%%&#3'-4"$6)"72'-8)9):)
Contact: Controls many weeds eg.

White Top,Corn Grass, Bermuda
Grass & other Broadleaf weeds and,
Pilarstar ;A<-%&1",2-B-@A@<-%&1",2 =AC-%-B-=AD>%
grasses in Citrus,mango,papaya,
pineapple, tomato, pepper, cabbage,
sugarcaneA
Contact: Banana, Citrus, Coffee, Suger

Reglone Cane; Aquatic weeds, broadleaved
2 lts - 2.5lts. 0.8 l - 1 litre
Diquat Dibromide weeds, and grasses; Tree crops,
vegetables, non-crop areas
Systemic: Banana, Beans, Citrus,

Roundup EZ 5l
Cocoa, Coffee, Corn, Vegetables
Systemic: Banana,Beans, Citrus,
Cocoa, Coffee, Guava,
Roundup Orginal EC Lychee,Mango,Melon,Non-crop sites, 12 fl oz
Okra, Onion, (Dry Bulb), Papaya,
Pea, Peanut, Pineapple, Potato,
SugerCane
Roundup PRO Systemic: Non-crop sites
Systemic:
Banana,Beans,Broccoli,Carrot,
Celery,Coffee,Corn,Cotton,Grape,
Guava,Lychee,Mango, Melon,
Roundup Ultra 1 pt
Non-Crop sites, okra,Onion
(green),Papaya,Pea,Peanut,
Pineapple, Potato,(irish),
Pumpkin, Sorghum, Suger Cane
Contact: Banana, Citrus, Coffee,
Scorcher 27.6 SL 3 lt/ha
Papaya, suger Cane, Vegetables
Sencor 75 Turf
Systemic: Turf Grass
Herbicide
Systemic: Banana,
Talent SL
Citrus, Cocoa, Coffee
Systemic: Beans, Onion (green),
Terbutrex 50 Sc 2-3.5 l
Potato (irish), Sugar Cane
Touchdown 48 SL System: Citrus, Non-Crops Sites
Velparl System:Forestry,Pasture, Sugar Cane 1.8-14 l
Sugar cane, corn, pastures and spot

Weedmaster spraying. Suppresses nutsedge
30ml (2 tbspn) 0.6 - 1.5 l
Dicamba + 2,4-D efficiently. Broadleaved weeds,
vines and woody shrubs

INSECTS CONTROL GUIDE
(Insecticides for Crops and Ornamentals)
!"#$%&'#(%)& !"#$%& '(%)%&*#+)"#,,(-& !"#$%&'% !'$+%,"&+$%
!"#$%&'(%)*+',%')$-( (")*+$&%
*+,#"#&-./0& !"#$%&'(!)*)+'(!),,--'(!)##).'(/$%"#( !"#$%&'()#*$"&'(+,-.#/"",*&'( 67(489:(;"#-$&(),(
8/)(
!!"#$%&!"'($%)" 0$--&'(1"*-'(0)2+**)'(3-4-#+25-&( &0-+,&'(1,-+2345&'( -9-$+-3+,(
<+#-$(
( 6#$),.+2'(.+,-(3,,)+,&(-7%( =>>5?(+&(($))#(
/)#,*&(
@$-.*AB(9C(D5(
>-$(>5+.#($))#(
*+,%112+&.345& E-+.&(+.@(*)$.( :$),&(-7%(/)#,*(",&)&( 7BF( 9BG(,5()H8I+55).(
!"#$%$"&'()%*+&,-6& @+?&(
&&&&*7"%%&.3&/8& !+22+4-'(!+5+5))'(!+%5",5)<-$'( !*126/*1&'(;$-1/7%( 6(@+?( :KCB:KFC(L48A+(
!%*%D2-$'(J-5).'(0)D+#)( <-0=(:/)#'(0-33-5,(6/*1'( MN:KCB:KFC(
9&&:2;%1&:<& +//",*&'(!.*4$)(-7%(34%(
9&&=%',#"2& ;28+*$-O(
6/*1(
!!"##$%&'()*&+$,-$.,'$'/&
*1>%"$%&-?&@5& E$)**)5"'(!+22+4-'(!+%5",5)<-$'(P->>-$'( !*126/*1&'(;$-1/7%( 7(@+?&( 6K:(B(6K9(
*%&!$+,-%#.'/&)000 P)#+#)(MQ$"&AO'(0)D+#)(( <-0=(:/)#'(0-33-5,(6/*1'( ;"#$-&8R+(
+//",*&'(!!-*6/*1&(
*>#A',&B3&/0& E$)**)5"'(E$%&&-5(S>$)%#'(!+22+4-'( >,3(6/*1&(-7%( 7(@+?&( :K9C(L48A+(
*#/1'($2$34)& !+%5",5)<-$'(!)$.'(;-##%*-'(0)D+#)( -*126/*1( (
C2D'%%(&3E?F&GH& !+22+4-'(!+%5",5)<-$'(!%*%$2"#&( !7)$?.$%-7)(-0)$/7(/7(( !"!#$ 6B7(D5&8(;"#$-((
*$.$1#3$2"!#/)00 M*+.#+5)%>-'(!%*%D2-$'(J-5).&'( -"#$%&'()#*$"&'(0-),*"$++-*&'(
P%D>L".'(ST%+&AO'(U$.+D-.#+5&'( ;$-1/7%(<-0=(:/)#'((
P+>+?+'(P->>-$'(P)#+#)(MQ$"&AO'(0)D+#)( 04)6/*1&'(+,-.(3,,)+,&'(
+,-.#/"",*&'(+//",*&'(1$),&(
,)0@(
CA7I0%,,#&8HJ@& E-+.(M&.+>O'(E$)**)5"'(!+22+4-'(!+$$)#'( A4)6/*1&( %$&'()$ :KGC(L486VWD!((
@'#21K&@1A7&L&M'N%+,& !+%5",5)<-$'(!)$.'(!%*%D2-$'(;-##%*-'(
O211%"& J-5).'(P)#+#)(MQ$"&AO'(0)D+#)(
!(0.)"%1.*21.(3(#"+4"+2%/&
81#',7A#"$&@1A7& E+.+.+'(!"#$%&'(U$.+D-.#+5&'(P-+'( B+45&(-7%(B7-$+&( *$&'()$ C:BFCD5(87KV;(
H2PA2$& P->>-$'(0)D+#)'(!+22+4-'(!+%5",5)<-$'( MXS(4+55).O(),(
*%&!$,1&"51&)0 !+$$)#K( <+#-$(
!
5#;"2$&-3@H& E-+.&'(E$)**)5"'(!+22+4-'(!+%5",5)<-$'( ;$-1/7%(<-0=(:/)#( F(@+?&( 9KCBCK:(D587KV(
*$2&!$%#63#1)& !"#$%&'(!%*%$2"#&(M*+.#+5)%>-'( C;<:D'(6#$),.+$,&'(-"#$%&'( ;"#-$&(),((<+#-$(
!%*%D2-$'(J-5).&'(P%D>L".'(ST%+&AO'( +,-.#/"",*&'(&0-+,&'()#*$"&'( (
+,-.1$7,*&(
Y44>5+.#'(;-##%*-'(P+>+?+'(P->>-$'(
0)D+#)(
5#"#,"#Q&.&45& !)$.'(1"*-'(3-4-#+25-&( !*126/*1&'(0-),*"$++-*&'(( 9:(@+?&( CB6:(D;(>-$(7KV(
!"#$%&#'()*+#,-.+/012' 04)6/*1&'(3,,)+,&'( ;"#$-&(
&)$7=345'(1,-+2345&(,)0@(
5#"R#"S1&T3&/8& E$)**)5"'(!+22+4-'(!A-$$?'(!"#$%&'( !"#$%&'()#*$"&'(1/)#&'( 7B6G( 0.7 -4.1 kg/ha
!)$.'(!%*%$2"#&(M*+.#+5)%>-'( +,-.#/"",*&'(-*126/*1&'( @+?&(
!./#0/#,-12 3,,)+,&'(6,,9$+&'((
!%*%D2-$'(J-5).&'(P%D>L".'(ST%+&AO'(
04)6/*1&'(&)$7=345&'(
J+.4)'(Z).B*$)>(S"#-&'(P+&#%$-'(
040413,*(3,,)+,'(3/*,*&(
P->>-$'(P)#+#)'(S<--#(P)#+#)'(0)D+#)( -7%(1-72(/)#,*&@(
5D'U2$D"&V3/0& E-+.&'(E$)**)5"'(!+22+4-'(!+&&+[+( !"#$%&'(+,-.#/"",*&'( 96(@+?&( 250-500 g/ha
*#%#1$2,'63#1)& M$))#O'(!+%5",5)<-$'(!),,--'(!%*%$2"#&( 6#$),.+$,&'(+,-.(1$7,*&'( (
M*+.#+5)%>-'(!%*%D2-$'(J-5).&'( &0-+,&( 9KCBC4D86:(
P%D>L".'(ST%+&AO'(Y44>5+.#'(P+>+?+'( ;"#$-&(<+#-$(
P->>-$'(P)#+#)(MQ$"&AO'(S<--#(P)#+#)'(
0)D+#)(
5A"%&WET&45& !+22+4-'(!+%5",5)<-$'(!"#$%&'( ;$-1/7%(<-0=(:/)#( 7(\(F( 9KC(\(CK:(D58(G(
*$4$%&2!#/)& U$.+D-.#+5&'(P+L(!A)"'(P+>+?+'( C;<:D'(-"#$%&'(1$),&'( @+?&( ;"#-$&(),(<+#-$(
P->>-$'(P->>-$(M&<--#O'(0)D+#)( )#*$"&(
:#'2,D1W3&45& !+$$)#'(!%*%$2"#&(M*+.#+5)%>-'( 0-33-5,(6/*1'(;<:'(+,-.( +,$ CB6:(D587KV(5"#-$&(
!%*%D2-$'(J-5).&'(P%D>L".'(ST%+&AO'( 1$7,*&'(+//",*&'(1$),&(
!3*4"#'"/+&#$412 &'()$ ),(<+#-$(
;+<.&'(J+.4)'(U.").(M4$--.O'( C,E0,")((./*(*4&)(1$),D'(
6#$),.+$,&'(04)6/*1&'(
U$.+D-.#+5&'(P+>+?+'(0)D+#)'((,$%"#(
)#*$"&'(-*126/*1&'(-"#$%&(
0$--&'(;+<.&(+.@(U$.+D-.#+5&(( -7%(1-72(/)#,*&@((
& ( ( ( (
( ( ( (
&
&
COMMOND
(
INSECTS IN JAMAICA ( ( (
(
( ( (

Trade name/ Crops Pests controlled Days to Dose Rates
(active ingredient) Harvest
!"#$%&'#%()*+,- !"#$%%"&'()*)+$#,)-' !"#$%&'()*!"#$%&'+"",-#%&' ./001'2$+)3'

(.*-#,/++.#%&'0/.$"12''
3.(4'$"*5&'!5/*-6+/-%''
!"#$%&!$%#'(%)"'*+&& 4$5$5$&'6$##$*)&'6$33"+&'6"77))&' 7,5/2%&'*5#/,%&'.1*%&' 0'?$A-' >))'+B)',$#),''
,-.%"&& 68%89#)3&':38;+'!3))-&'1)++8%)&'<"+$+"&' (.*-#,/++.#%&'!5/*-6+/-%&'
=;%)&'>+"3)?'6"99"?;+;)-&'>8*$3'6$5)&' $/*-%''
!.*$*/0+-"*01*"#,-
>2))+'<)@@)3'
!"#$"%&%' 4)$5'C-5$@D&'4)$5-&'4))+&'6$##$*)&' .,5/2%&'(.88.9-'+"",-#%&' HIJ' /0IK0'9,';5'LIM'
6$33"+&'6;+38-&'68%89#)3&'E;?5)A' (.*-#,/++.#%&'.#$:!"#$%&' ?$A-' 1;+)3-'"7'2$+)3'
!"*&2*+0+,' 8--*+-%&'+-.65",,-#%&'
4)$5-&'F$5*"&'G35$9)5+$,-&'<)$&'
!5/*-6+/-%'.12'$.1:'"*5-#%'
<)@@)3&'!"9$+"&'!835;@'C3""+D'
!"()*+&#*)',-./' 4)$5-&'6$33"+&'6$8,;7,"2)3&'6"77))&' .,5/2%&'$/*-%&'!5/*-6+/-%' !"#$%&"" LLPIQ00'9,';5'
!"*'#%(0&%#,' 68%83#;+-'C%$5+$,"8@)&'68%89#)3&' L00'1'2$+)3'
F),"5-&'<89@N;5&'>O8$-BD&' '
G35$9)5+$,-&'<)$&'<"+$+"&'>8*$3'6$5)&' '
!"9$+"'
!"#$%&& =;%)&'>2))+'<"+$+"'()*)+$#,)-&' ;/(-'+-.6'$/1-#&' '(" H00IHP0'9,.B$';5'
"35$9)5+$,-&'738;+'%3"@-&'%8%83#;+-R' .#$:!"#$%&'#/(-'%*/14'8)9'
!"#$%&#'()*+#,-.+/01' #$%&" /00','2$+)3'
2'.+0#$3.+-4#$5'
'()*+&,&!-& 6"++"5&'S3$@)&'G5;"5'C?3A'48,#D&'<)$&' 7#$:!"#$%&'()*!"#$%&' )*" /P0IKP09,.B$';5'
<)@@)3&'<"+$+"&'!"9$+"' !"#$%&'8--*+-%&'6#)/*'
!"#$%&#'()*+#,-.+/012'
!"#$%&'*5#/,%&'.,5/2%'
#$%&" L00IT00'1;+3)-'"7'
2$+)3'
."/%0&1,&2-& 43"%%",;&'6$##$*)&'6$8,;7,"2)3&'6"35&' <.*-#,/++.#%' !"#$%&" LIP9,.KRJM1;3)-'
!"#$%&'(')*+, 1)++8%)&'G5;"5'C*3))5D&'<$3-,)A&' 2$+)3'
!"9$+"'
3)4)5$&6$%"& 6;+38-&'6"77))&'6"++"5&'=;%)&'>"3*B89&' 7#$:!"#$%&'()*!"#$%&' +)" MIH/9,.HP1C0R/I
>8*$3'6$5)&'()*)+$#,)-' !"#$%&'8--*+-%&'%*/148)9&'
!"#$%&#'()*+#,-.+/015' $-.+:8)9%&'+-.65",,-#%'
#$%&" 0R/P@+.LP*$,D'
-*(='
3748$95:"&!-& 6;+38-&'68%89#)3&'1)++8%)&' 7,5/2%&'*5#/,%&'%,/2-#'$/*-&' !"#$%&" /RPIPR0'9,.'L'1'
G35$9)5+$,-&'<$@$A$&'<)@@)3&'!"9$+"' #)%*'$/*-&'8#".2'$/*-&'+-.6' 2$+)3'
!'*'-.(/"#+,, $/1-#%&'0/.$"12'3.(4'
$"*5'
0#1#*+"&%'2-'./' ()*)+$#,)-&'6;+38-&'F$5*"&'<$@$A$&' 7,5/2%&'$/*-%&'%(.+-%&' 5"5)' 15-30 ml in 4
:38;+'!3))-&'1$25-&'G35$9)5+$,-&' +-.65",,-#%&'+-.6'$/1-#%&'
!'&$&%(*0+,- *5#/,%&'+"",-#%&'$-.+:8)9%&'
Litres/water!
<$-+83)' '
8--*+-%&'.#$:!"#$%'.12'
$.1:'"*5-#%'
0#*3+' 6$##$*)&'6$,,$,""&'6$8,;7,"2)3&'6;+38-&' <.*-#,/++.#%&'!"#$%&'$/*-%&' HL'?$A-' LIP'1;+)3-.'B$'
6"35&'6"++"5&'68%89#)3&'U-%$,,;"5&' 0/.$"12'3.(4'$"*5'
!$34#+3)0+,' 7#$:!"#$&'+"",-#%&'
F),"5&'G5;"5'C*3))5D&'G35$9)5+$,-&'
6#)/*!"#$%&'("#1'8"#-#&'
<$N'6B";&'<"+$+"'CV3;-BD&'<89@N;5&'
,-#6"#.*"#%&'#)%*'$/*-%'
>"A#)$5&'>2))+'<)@@)3&'!"#$%%"&'
!"9$+"'
0"("3'4/' 6;+38-&'G35$9)5+$,-&'<)@@)3&'=;%)&' <.*-#,/++.#%&'.#$:!"#$%&' HL'?$A-' 209 ml-1.17
>8*$3'6$5)&'!"#$%%"&'!"9$+"&' !-8'!"#$%&'8)2'!"#$&''
!%#534#+02*"#,- - L/ha
()*)+$#,)-&'W$+)39),"5'
5))(67'-8,9':/' =)@),'$,,'5$+83$,';5-)%+-R''6$##$*)&' !"#"$%&$$%'&()*&$%+',"-(,.' """ HIK'9,.''1;+)3'"7'
;<;6!"=)3*':4' 6;+38-&'F),"5&'G35$9)5+$,-&'<)@@)3&' 7,5/2%&'*5#/,%&'(.*-#,/++.#%&' ?"*' 2$+)3'
<"+$+"&'>O8$-B&'!"9$+"&'W$+)39),"5' 0/.$"12'3.(4'>"*5&'' ,#"@/2-2'
!&2&"*)&/(%*+,' ()*!"#$%&'+-.6'8--*+-%&'
+-.65",,-#%&'+"",-#%&'$/*-%'
-*(='
5">>&=?%'@-9'AB' 6$35$+;"5-&'6B3A-$5+B)989&'6;+38-&' /01%,#1(("2%,#+2"*%3+("% )"#$%" /RP'I'P*.',-"
!(#16%(*&201,- 68%89#)3&'E;?5)A'4)$5-&'<$@$A$&' ./012&"345"
="-)&'>+3$2#)33A&'>2))+'<)@@)3' 6$7789:"8;"
<$012'
CD)=&%'E,'4/' 6"35&'6"++"5&'F$5*"&'<$@$A$&'<"+$+"' 4*1&2%3+("5%,#+2"*%3+("5% )=" 0RKPI0RP'1.B$'
!.7*)0'#.*4#+,- CV3;-BD&'!"9$+"' 06+("7$+",% #$%&" .K00IT001'2$+)3'
CD?1?>'2'./' S$3,;%&'F$;X)&'G5;"5'C?3A'48,#D&'<"+$+"&' 8#6+2,5%&*3901*3,5%-1*"% )"#$%" HJPI/P0'9,.Y$'
!"#$%&#'()*+#,-.+/012' >"3*B89&'!"9$+"' 0"":+$5%(6*+#,5%$"&73+'"*,%
C=*+&'F&13G'C"1' :38;+'!3))-&'G35$9)5+$,-' ;+(",5%,-&$"%+',"-(,5% !"#$%&" P''+#-@''
4H#=I'' 3"&$9<)=,5%06+("7$+",% C/RP'7,'"XD.'
!3#/#44010)''$015/#,'-0,2' S$,,"5'
B)J#>?>' 6$##$*)&'68%89#)3&'F),"5&' >+&31'2%<&-?%;1(65%% 9>$" T0IM0'9,.'
!"*&4#+%(*3)0+,- G35$9)5+$,-&'<)@@)3&'!"9$+"' (6*+#,5%8#6+2,5%!"#$%&% H001;+)3-'2$+)3'
06+("7$+",%
Courtesy of Rural Agricultural Development Authority

Status of pesticide: www.caribpesticides.net
Harvest
(active ingredient)
!"#$%&'()*'+,' E*8'0@!F.0$2*0#$8&@!?'2$#'! !"#$%&'($)&*&%+")$(,& !"#$%&" G=HIJ=H!KL4$!
!"#"$%&'()*'
!"%-./$0'12'3,' 7+#.%&@!E*8'0@!F0+'0!M-.:!N%83O@!6'#$#'! -+.")%/&0$123"4$(%/&#.("+%/& '(" G=HIJ=G!KLP$!
!($(+"&,-./(+*0 M>.+&4O@!D+,*@!?'2$#'! +014#&.5++$(%/&&6."#$20"$%& #$%&"
3&4&5/"6' 7%,%23*.@!?'2$#'! !"#$%&'()*+,-)*%&'.$(/' )" J=GIJ=Q!8+#*.&!L!4$!
!"#$%&'$%$()! 0$)/-)(#-)%&'.--0$)%'$#12''
3&7$6'*8'3' N.$&&+,$!M3.',,'8+@!7$%8+(8';*.@! 304"5%&'#4)"0%&'*-#4%&' ."#$%&" HLT!IJ!JLU!83&!)*.!
7$33$/*@!R$8*@!74+0*&*!7$33$/*O@! .$(/4-00$)%&'()*+,-)*%&' $,.*=!
3&7$6'*8'9:' 6$$#.$%&',$$7".%&''
*++"$,&-',-/;-/<4' 7+#.%&@!7%,%.3+#&!M,$0#$8'%)*@! !
18#,-)*%&'%#"9:68;%&'
*8'9:' 7%,%23*.@!E*8'0&@!6%2)5+0@!"S%$&4O@! H!/!LK+#*.!'(!
1818*6$)'6$$#.$&'6-)$)%'
6'%8#.:!P'%&*! ;$#*.!
!&"/#"/1,*' (95'*(9+'-#4$)%2'
3=40-6' 7'((**! <-//$$'6-)$)' !/(0" ! VHG28L!
!%&'"#$"*+,#-'./. #$%&" $,.*!
%&'-+#$+,-$').
3=#$%>$"6'28'+,' ?4.+)&@!$)4+-&@!.*-!&)+-*.!2+#*@!$)4+-&@! =$(/*"9$)%&'#4)"0%&' !"#$%&" G=WIQ=Q!K+#.*&L4$!
&,$8*&@!$.2:;'.2&@!8*$(!2+0*.&! ()*+,-)*%&'(04"5%&'(9#%&' JHIVG!28!+0!VIU!
!2%)('/-'3(-)*0 1(#$)0"..()%' K+#.*&L;$#*.!
?/-5&/'(@8'3,' N*$0&@!7$%8+(8';*.@!7+#.%&@!7'##'0@! <(#$)0"..()%&',-)*%&'>$$#' ("#$%" G=JIG=Q!8+#.*L4$!
7%,%.3+#&!M,$0#$8'%)*@!7%,%23*.@! ()*+,-)*&'()*+,-)*&'
!4.()-4"+*0
E*8'0&@!6%2)5+0@!"S%$&4O@!?'2$#'@! 1818*6$)',-)*&'?"(*-95'
>(1:'*-#4&''
F0+'0@!X&,$88+'0!!
?/$A-/0''B29:' 7*8*.:@!7%,%.3+#&!M,$0#$8'%)*@! =$(/*"9$)%'(95'/."$%' !"#$%&" 15-40 g in
!&1/-$"5()%*0 7%,%23*.@!E*8'0&@!6%2)5+0@!"S%$&4O@! 100 Litres
K*##%,*@!F.0$2*0#$8&@!?'2$#'! water !
C&/%$#&5'()*'+,' N.$&&+,$!M3.',,'8+@!7$%8+(8';*.@! !"#$%&'.$(/*"9$)%&' ./!" VQIWU!28&LJGG8#&!
7$33$/*@!R$8*@!74+0*&*!7$33$/*O@! ?"(*-956(1:'!-#4&'
!"#"$%&'()*0 304"5%'
#$%&" ;$#*.!
7*8*.:@!7+#.%&@!7%,%23*.@!K*##%,*@!
E*8'0@!F.0$2*0#$8&@!6*))*.@!6'#$#'!
M>.+&4O@!"#.$;3*..:@!?'2$#'@!
Y$#*.2*8'0!
D&-04$6&'EF:G'E$6$' N$0$0$@!7+#.%&@!F.0$2*0#$8&@!6*$@! @9(".%'(95'@.8;%' !"#$%&" ZIJT!5/L4*!'0!
:&44&%G' 6*))*.@!?'2$#'! &'+8!&%.($,*!
!0&+*12&,32&)!
Editor’s note: PHI** (days) –Pre-harvest interval. Do not apply within this many days of harvest.
!!!!"#$#%&!'(!)*&#+,+-*!.*/+&#.$#+'0!+0!1$2$+,$!,$0!3*!,4*,5*-!$#!#4*!6*&#+,+-*!7'0#.'8!9%#4'.+#:!;*3&+#*<!;;;=,$.+3)*&#+,+-*&=0*#
Information should be used as a guide and ! is not a substitute for manufacturer label.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!>0('.2$#+'0!,'0#.+3%#*-!3:!#4*!?*,40'8'/:@!?.$+0+0/!A!?*,40+,$8!>0('.2$#+'0!B+C+&+'0@!D9B9=!
Courtesy of Rural Agricultural Development Authority • Status of pesticide: www.caribpesticides.net
Common Insects

DISEASE CONTROL GUIDE
(Fungicides for Crops and Ornamentals)
!"#$%&'#(%)& !"#$%& '(%)%&*#+)"#,,(-& !"#$%&'% .#%(&/0)(%&
!"#$%&'(%)*+',%')$-( (")*+$&,&
*+,-.*!&& !"##$%"&'%$%$()*#+&',-*,-&'.,#/#,"+0' 1,2-3'4*56"2&' !"#$%&'()% =>:?@0A!',;'
&/0&12!"#! ' 7-#8(/%-,+"' &*+*,&-,.% 2/#"(0'B.5$+'
!"#$%&'($()*'+! 9$443'+#"4')5*:8#&'' /,%01/+2% C/-%,D")E'
75#"(-/(*/'5"/;'+.,#&'!/#"' 3/4'4/"%#5%
&'()%
)5*:8#&'</(53')5*:8#''
*/34!*,&56&78& F/-/-/&'F"/-+&'G/))/:"&' L*6"'(/-:"',;';$-:/5' 6%&'()% =M>:?8/'B@0>'
!,-(./0&)(1#2+3 G/-#/5,$."+&'G/$5*;5,2"(&'G"5"(3&' 6*+"/+"+' ,D0?/%("E'
! G*#($+&'G$%$4)"(&'<::.5/-#&' B5"/;'+.,#+&'.,26"(3' >('N0O':(/4+'?'
!"##$%"&'H(-/4"-#/5+&'I/./3/&' 4*56"2E' :/55,-',;'2/#"('
I".."(&'I*-"/..5"&'I,#/#,&' '
I$4.J*-&'K,4/#,&'L/#"(4"5,-'
.*9:3!&*0& F/-/-/&%,;;""' P*:/#,J/'5"/;'+.,#&P$(;/%"' M='8,$(+' '
!,-(./0&)(1#2+3 4,56&%(,2-'(,#'&)5*:8#'
F(/Q,'R=>'' F/-/-/+&'.5/-#/*-+&S":"#/)5"+' </(53'/-6'5/#"')5*:8#&' ' MT45BM#)+.-E?
BG85,(,#8/5,-*5' )(,2-'+.,#&'/-#8(/%-,+"' N5#',;'2/#"(''
.;<<34&&=>&78& F/-/-/&'F"/-+&'G/))/:"&' U8*D,%#,-*/'+.0' M='8,$(+' AWM=:?@0A!'

!4(05,6#"73 G/-#/5,$."+&'G/$5*;5,2"(&'G"5"(3&' G"(%,+.,(/'+.,#V'F,#(3#*+' 2/#"('='#,'N'
8/),56(0&)(1#2+3 G*#($+&'G$%$4)"(&'<::.5/-#&' 5"/;')5*:8#&'75#"(-/(*/'!"/;' #"/+.,,-+'?'
!"##$%"&'H(-/4"-#/5+&'I/./3/&' P.,#&'F5/%J'P*:/#,J/'' @0A'!*#"(+'BXP'
I".."(&'I*-"/..5"&'I,#/#,&' 9/55,-E',;'
I$4.J*-&'K,4/#,&'L/#"(4"5,-' 2/#"('
'
.-!,*9&?5&7& I,+#W8/(Q"+#';$-:*%*6"'6*.Y'P2""#' I,+#W'8/(Q"+#'(,#+'%/$+"6' 7/4% 1/2 lb/100
!"#56(),2+3 I,#/#,&'Z/4+' )3';$-:/5'./#8,:"-+' '++8-0'98*% gal of water
.@/A;,&B5&;+& F/-/-/&'I5/-#/*-' F5/%J'P*:/#,J/' % Read the label
!"#$"%&$'()$*+C&
+*<3D39&>1&-<& F/-/-/&'.5/-#/*-' F5/%J'P*:/#,J/' >'6/3+' >0T'5?8/'
!&)#"%$()*'+3
!
! F"/-'B6(3E&'F"/-'B+-/.E&'G/))/:"&' L*6"'(/-:"',;';$-:/5' U"/6'#8"' MW@'5)+?/%("'
+E*/A3-9&??& G/((,#&'G*#($+&'G,%,/&'G,;;""&' 6*+"/+"+&'4*56"2+&' 5/)"5'
7A& G$%$()*#+'B%/-#/5,$."&'G$%$4)"(&' 9$443'+#"4')5*:8#&'</(53'
!5(**%)3'/")(.#"%+3 C"5,-+&'I$4.J*-&'P[$/+8E&' F5*:8#&'!/#"'F5*:8#&'
<::.5/-#&'9$/Q/&'!/2-+&'C/-:,&' F/%#"(*/5'2*5#&'
H-*,-'B:(""-E&'H(-/4"-#/5+&' 7-#8(/%-,+"'
I/./3/&'I"/-$#&'I".."(&'
F3!E*9;&/GH5&& F/-/-/&'G,(-&'G,##,-&'G$%$4)"(&' F5/%J'P*:/#,J/!L*6"' $%"!%&'()% F/-/-/Y'
G$%$()*#+'B%/-#/5,$."&'G$%$4)"(&' (/-:"',;';$-:/5'6*+"/+"+&' &*+*,&-,.% @J:?8/'$.'
C"5,-+&'I$4.J*-&'P[$/+8E&'9(/."&' 4*56"2+&'9$443'+#"4' /,%4:*%01/+% #,@>J:?:(,2'
H-*,-'B6(3'F$5)E&'I/./3/&'I"/-$#&' )5*:8#&'</(53'F5*:8#&'!/#"' %3%5"'
I5/-#/*-&'I,#/#,'B\(*+8E&'K,4/#,' F5*:8#&'7-#8(/%-,+"' '
>0TW='5)+?/%("'
F3!E*9;&/GH5& L*6"'(/-:"',;';$-:/5' ;%&'()%
7+./(/:$+&'G,-*;"(&'G,(-&'G,##,-&'
9!& 6*+"/+"+&'4*56"2+&'
G$%$4)"(&'9(/."&'C"5,-&'H-*,-'
!"#$%&'()+3 9$443'+#"4')5*:8#&'</(53'
B6(3'F$5)E&'I/./3/&'I"/-$#&'I,#/#,'
F5*:8#&'!/#"'F5*:8#'
\(*+8E&'P[$/+8&'K,4/#,''
7-#8(/%-,+"'
F@A-9!& F/-/-/&'G/-#/5,$."+&'G$%$4)"(&' C*56"2+&'5"/;'+.,#+&' ;%&'()% =W=0T'5)+?/%("'
/*9:-+3F;&& C"5,-&'K,4/#,&'L/#"(4"5,-' )/%#"(*/5'+."%J&'</(53'
!"#$%&'()*+%&,,(-3 )5*:8#&'!/#"')5*:8#&'9$443'
'/")(.#"%+3 +#"4')5*:8#&'7-#8(/%-,+"'
/*90*!;&& F/-/-/&'G/-#/5,$."+&'G,(-&' C*56"2+&'5"/;'+.,#+&' ;%&'()% MW@'5)+?/%("'
A,-G4!3+:& G$%$4)"(&'9/(5*%&'9(/."&'C"5,-&' )/%#"(*/5'+."%J&'</(53' 6"."-6*-:',-'
!$,25(-%1+3 H-*,-'B6(3'F$5)E&'I/./3/&'I"/-$#&' )5*:8#&'!/#"')5*:8#&'9$443' %(,.0'U"/6'
I5/-#/*-&'I,#/#,'B\(*+8E&'K,4/#,&' +#"4')5*:8#&'7-#8(/%-,+"&' 5/)"5'
K$(;'9(/++&'L/#"(4"5,-' )5/%J'P*:/#,J/'
Editor’s note: PHI** (days) –Pre-harvest interval. Do not apply within this many
days of harvest. Information should be used as a guide and is not a substitute
for manufacturer label.
Courtesy of Rural Agricultural Development Authority

(Active ingredient) Harvest*
! ! ! ! !
"#$%&'(!)*!(+! ! ! ! !
!"#$%&'()$*+,- "#$#$#%!&'#$(#)$! "'#*+!,)-#(.+#! "!#$%&! /01!')(2345#!
6708!9'.:4#*23;!
#,-.,/(! "#$#$#%!&)$3#<<'3%!=#>?! ! ! C//@D7/!<<>!
'%&$0,/(!"#!$%! &.?(@5#2A3?(!(23#(>3$(!9.2!
!$)(.(/$/,! *.$(2.'!.9!*2.B$!2.(!
#(1/(+/!22*!'&! "#$#$#! !"#$ EF!>'4!F//G!
%&&'()%*'+$
'()*+,-./+012-3! B#(32!
3%.-,3&41! "#$#$#! ! C//@H//!<<>!
567*!'$!
!$)(.(/$/,-
84+"9(!2***! "3#$!6I2J;%!K#22.(%!K.9933%! RL$-#'!'3#9!?<.(?%!G#(3! 45$#!675! F07!'M?4#*23!
!!"##$%"#$%&'()%*+" KL*L2M)(?!6*#$(#'.L<3%!KL*L>M32%! M')-5(%!S#2'J!M')-5(%!I.B$J! 8$958!
N3'.$?%!&L><+)$%!,OL#?5;%! >)'I3B%!TL>>J!?(3>!
N#$-.%!&3#%!&3<<32%!&.(#(.! M')-5(!U$(52#*$.?3!
6P2)?5;%!Q.>#(.!
49(4.!)276!:-! "#$#$#%!N3'.$%!&'#$(#)$%!&.(#(.! RL$-#'!'3#9!?<.(?%!G#(3! :;<=!#$%&!! 2.5
!01/&%&21(/&*$/,- 6P2)?5;! M')-5(%!S#2'J!M')-5(%! Litres/hectar
U$(52#*$.?3%!"'#*+!
e!
,)-#(.+#!
49(4.!)276!:-! "#$#$#%!N3'.$%!&'#$(#)$%!&.(#(.! RL$-#'!'3#9!?<.(?%!G#(3! ! 0.7 -1.0
!31/&%&21(/&*$/,- 6P2)?5;! M')-5(%!S#2'J!M')-5(%! :;<=!#$%&!!
kg/hectare
U$(52#*$.?3%!"'#*+!
,)-#(.+#!
$0;/4.!25! "#$#$#%!K#MM#-3%!K3'32J%! RL$-#'!'3#9!?<.(?%!G#(3! ! F0C7@C0/!
!"#$$%&'()*$+,-%' KL*L>M32%!N3'.$%!V$).$!6-233$;%! M')-5(%!S#2'J!M')-5(%! "!#$%&! >'4')(23!B#(32!
$%.-,+/0&,-%!
V2$#>3$(#'?%!&#<#J#%!&3<<32%! U$(52#*$.?3%!"'#*+!
Q.>#(.! ,)-#(.+#!
1"94#&!-4&9! KL*L2M)(?!6*#$(#'.L<3%!KL*L>M32%! S#2'J!M')-5(!#$I!'#(3!M')-5(! ! 2.5 kg/ha
#<!=)!&%!!! N3'.$?%!&L><+)$%!,OL#?5;%!V$).$! .$!(53!9.')#-3!.9!<.(#(.3?W! <=!#$%&!
)+2(/('4/-- 6-233$;%!&.(#(.!6P2)?5;%!Q.M#**.%! I.B$J!>)'I3B!)$!.$).$?!
5(*3&.+6,! Q.>#(.! #$I!53#I!'3((L*3W!I.B$J!)$!
-2#<3?W!#$I!(53!
?L<<23??).$!.9!&J(5)L>!
'3#+!#$I!<)$+!2.(!)$!
<.(#(.3?0!
#,.+4<(>!)*! KL*L>M32%!N3'.$?%!&L><+)$%! U$(52#*$.?3%!M#*(32)#'! ! 15-30g/Y08!
:$! ,OL#?5;%!T2#<3%!N#$-.%!V$).$! ?<3*+%!RL$-#'!'3#9!?<.(?%! 45$#!675! G)(32?!6Z,!
!)(*3&.+6,- 6-233$;%!V2$#>3$(#'?%!&#<#J#%! G#(3!M')-5(%!S#2'J!M')-5(%! 8$958! T#''.$;!.9!
&.(#(.%!Q.>#(.%!X3-3(#M'3?! I.B$J!>)'I3B%!TL>>J! >5?56$985&@!
B#(32
<=!#$%&!
"#$#$#%!"3#$?%!K)(2L?%!K2L*)932?! ?(3>!M')-5(!!
6*#MM#-3%!K#L')9'.B32%!"2.**.')%!
&#+!K5.J!S(*;%!KL*L2M)(?!
6*#$(#'.L<3%!!
1?@AB!! V$).$?%(.>#(.%KL*L2M)(?%<.(#(.%<3 S#2'J!"')-5(%G#(3!"')-5(W! ! 7>'41'(!.9!
C#DEFGHIJHDKGFL! <<32?! [.B$J!N)'I3B! B#(32!!
',.+4<(>!)*! "#$#$#%!"3#$?%!K)(2L?%!K2L*)932#3! RL$-#'!'3#9!?<.(?%!G#(3! 45$#!675! 200g/100L
:$! 6*#MM#-3%!K#L')9'.B32%!"2.**.')%! M')-5(%!S#2'J!M')-5(%!I.B$J! 8$958! water
!)(*3&.+6,- &#+!K5.J!S(*;%!KL*L2M)(?! >)'I3B%!TL>>J!?(3>! >5?56$985&@!
<=!#$%&!
6*#$(#'.L<3%!KL*L>M32%!N3'.$?%! M')-5(!U$(52#*$.?3%!
&L><+)$%!,OL#?5;%!T2#<3%!N#$-.%! M#*(32)#'!?<3*+!
V$).$!6-233$;%!V2$#>3$(#'?%!
&#<#J#%!&.(#(.%!Q.>#(.%!
X3-3(#M'3?!
'MJI?!! X3-3(#M'3?%!"#$#$#%!&'#$(#)$?! G3#9!?<.(%!?)-#(.+#! ! 10ml
#$I!!<.(#(.3?! I)?3#?3?%!3#2'J!M')-5(! (2tspn)/4lt
of water
Editor’s note: PHI**(days)–Pre-harvest interval. Do not apply within this many

days of harvest. Information should be used as a guide and is not a substitute

(Active ingredient) Harvest*
!"#!$%&'()*+,$ !"##"$%&'!"(()*&'!+,+(#-*.' ;+0$"1'1%"<'.2)*.&'="*%' "!#$%&! 2.0
-)$$ /,"0*"1)+2%&'!+,+3#%(&'4%1)0.&' #1-$9*&'>"(1?'#1-$9*&'@)A0?' kg/hectare
!"#$$%&' 5+326-0&'78+".9:&'5%22%(' 3-1@%A&'B+33?'.*%3'
()*&#+,*%-$
#1-$9*'C0*9(",0).%&'
#",*%(-"1'.2%,6'
!*.',/0$12$!%$ D"0"0"&'51"0*"-0' D1",6'7-$"*)6"' !
!!"#$%&'()*$+"#
$ ' ' !
$ ' ' !
!34%+05+&$62$ !"##"$%&'!"(()*&'!-*(+.&'!)<<%%&' ;+0$"1'1%"<'.2)*.&'="*%' "!#$%&! 15-30g/GHI'
!!"##$%"#$%&'()%*+" !+,+(#-*.'/,"0*"1)+2%&'!+,+3#%(&' #1-$9*&'>"(1?'#1-$9*&'@)A0?' =-*%(.'/J7'
4%1)0.&'5+326-0&'78+".9:&' 3-1@%A&'B+33?'.*%3' B"11)0:')<'
E(0"3%0*"1.&'5"2"?"&'5%22%(&' #1-$9*'C0*9(",0).%&' A"*%(
F)3"*)' #",*%(-"1'.2%,6'
!+)7'4$896$/%$ D"0"0"' D1",6'7-$"*)6"' '(!#$%&! 1.0 litre/ha
!!"#$%&#'()#*!-'
:/.'$;6$!%$ D"0"0"&'51"0*"-0' D1",6'7-$"*)6"' (!#$%&! 0.33
!!"#$%&'()!"&*#+,! litres/hectare
:*4:$;62$/%$ D"0"0"&'!)<<%%&'51"0*"-0'' D"0"0"K'D1",6'7-$"*)6"' ! "#$!%&'()*+!
+-"&-#.&+/0&%1,'!
,*!-!,.'()*+!
:+)$%+)$-*:&$ !D%"0.&'D%%*&'D(),,)1-&'!"(()*&' >"(1?'D1-$9*&'="*%'D1-$9*&' 8,3!94:+;! <=#!5!#=>!

!34#37$<),//+*! !"+1-<1)A%(&'!)(0&'!+,+3#%(&' B+33?'.*%3'#1-$9*&' &43*+0'?(!
01&2(3+!'3*456(04)7! E0-)0'/@(?'D+1#:&'5%"&'5%"0+*&' #",*%(-"1'"0@'<+0$"1'1%"<'
5%22%(&'5)*"*)'/L(-.9:&'5+326-0&' .2)*.&'3-1@%A.'
F)3"*)''
:+)!*,$$82=$-)$ !+,+3#%(&'E0-)0'/$(%%0:&'5)*"*)' ;+."(-+3'A-1*&'N9-O),*)0-"' P'@"?.' )*(+,((!

!,#)'-#./.0*" /L(-.9:&'5+326-0&'78+".9&' .22H&'A-@%'("0$%')<'<+0$"1' -./0((1/$2!
1*0#$2+" M"*%(3%1)0' 1%"<'.2)*.'"0@'2)A@%(?'
3-1@%A'
:+)!*,5($8292$ D"0"0"&'21"0*"-0' D1",6'7-$"*)6"' N%"@' 00'!-/$234!56!
+>$ 1"#%1' ,7(!89/$234:!
/F9-)29"0"*%' !
3%*9?1:'
:7*#(*,/$?2$-)$ C221%&'CQ),"@)&'!9%((?&'!+,+(#-*.' R)A0?'3-1@%A' ;4$#!<$=4<! ;4$#!>?4!<$=4<7!
!,&)3241)5'2*+" /,"0*"1)+2%&'!+,+3#%(&'4%1)0.&' @8&4!3$>4!
5+326-0&'78+".9:&'>$$21"0*&' 3$A-4&!B38.!(7'!
C-!>8!07(!C-/?$!
B("2%&'B(%%0'5%22%(&'5%",9&'
#4D4A#EA-!8A!
N-,%&'7*("A#%((?&'F%"&'F)#",,)&' >?4!238D!
F)3"*)' !
:7*%&+@'($A9?$ !"#$%&'()*$&'(+,+-."*&'/"00+,"&' J.%@'<)('.)-1'"221-,"*-)0'*)' S'@"?.' ),(!-.&!D43!
-)$ 1"2)$&'3*$#-"$0#2%&'4"55"*&' .+22(%..'2"*9)$%0-,'<+0$-' ?42>$34!
2!"#.3&41"5/6 4)0#0)'67*8%9:&';<""0'4"55"*&' /;+."(-+3'.22H&'
3/"0#/+75,6
=)-#0)&'>#0"*-"2)$' N9-O),*)0-"'.22H&'!"#$%&''
.22H:'
!"#$%&'()'*+' Ornamentals 5?*9-+3'.22H&' T)*' F+0)!89!/!0((-$<!
!"#$%&%'()*"+, 59?*)29*9)("'.22H' "221-,"#1%'
,-../0'11'-.' Banana, Plantain U%11)A'7-$"*)6"' S'@"?.' (7G!<E>34&/!
!-"./$)/%0)$/1+' ?42>$34!
Editor’s note: PHI** (days)–Pre-harvest

interval. Do not apply within this many
days of harvest. Information should be
used as a guide and is not a substitute
Courtesy of
Rural Agricultural Development Authority
Marina Young <youngm@rada.gov.jm>

‘Hope is a waking dream’
Aristotle
HELP PREVENT DENGUE!

Protect yourself and others from mosquito bites.
D engue is an infection caused by a
virus spread by the bite of an in-
fected Aedes mosquito. There are four
What to do! If you feel you have
Dengue Fever:
✓ Visit your health centre or doctor and
dengue viruses- called Dengue Type 1, follow instructions given carefully
2, 3, and 4. You can only be infected by ✓ Rest
each “type” once in your lifetime. ✓ Drink a lot of fluids
✓ Use Paracetamol pain killers ONLY
Symptoms usually ✓ DO NOT TAKE other pain
identified with Dengue killer, such as Aspirin,
Fever are: Ibuprofen and other anti-
✓ Sudden onset of fever inflammatory drugs, as they
✓ Headache may increase your risk of
✓ Pain behind the eyes bleeding.
✓ Muscle pains
✓ Bone or joint Aedes mosquito
pain Dengue Prevention:
✓ Skin rash ✓ Stop Aedes mosquito breedingby look-
✓ Vomiting or the “feeling to vomit” ing for anything water can settle in and
Severe Dengue ✓ Cover it
✓ Keep it dry
Person with Severe Dengue ✓ Clean regularly
may have all the symptoms ✓ Fill it with soil or sand
of Dengue fever in addition to: ✓ Punch holes in it
✓ Severe belly pain ✓ Recycle or dispose
✓ Persistent vomiting ✓ Avoid being bitten by mosquitoes
✓ Bleeding from the mouth, nose or ✓ Use insect repellent containing DEET,
other unusual places IR3535 or PICARIDIN
✓ Bloody or black, sticky stool ✓ Use mosquito nets
✓ Feeling faint ✓ Use mosquito destroyer
✓ Low energy or restlessness ✓ Put screens on window and door
✓ Small bleeding spots under skin ✓ holes in it
✓ Shortness of breath or difficulty ✓ or dispose
breathing ✓ Take community actions
Community members must work to-
gether to prevent Aedes breeding in their
community.

‘Change your thoughts and you change your world’ - Norman Vincent Peale
Path to improved health

Eat healthy
What you eat is closely linked to your
health. Balanced nutrition has many bene-
fits. By making healthier food choices, you
can prevent or treat some conditions. These
include heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.
A healthy diet can help you lose weight and
lower your cholesterol, as well.
Get regular exercise

Exercise can help prevent heart disease,
stroke, diabetes, and colon cancer. It can
help treat depression, osteoporosis, and high
blood pressure. People who exercise also get
injured less often. Routine exercise can
make you feel better and keep your weight
Limit how much alcohol you drink
under control. Try to be active for 30 to 60
Men should have no more than 2 drinks a
minutes about 5 times a week.
day. Women should have no more than 1
drink a day. One drink is equal to 12 ounces
Lose weight if you’re overweight
of beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of
Many Jamaicans are overweight. Carrying
liquor. Too much alcohol can damage your
too much weight increases your risk for sev-
liver. It can cause some cancers, such as
eral health conditions. These include: high
throat, liver, or pancreas cancer.
blood pressure; high cholesterol; type 2 dia-
betes; heart disease stroke; some cancers and
Things to consider
gallbladder disease. Being overweight also
Visit your doctors for regular checkups. This
can lead to weight-related injuries.
includes your primary doctor, as well as
your dentist and eye doctor. Let your health
Practice safe sex
benefits and preventive care services work
Safe sex is good for your emotional and
for you.
physical health. The safest form of sex is be-
tween 2 people who only have sex with each
other. Use protection to prevent sexually
transmitted diseases (STDs). Condoms are
the most effective form of prevention.
Don’t smoke or use tobacco.
Smoking and tobacco use are harmful
habits. They can cause heart disease and
mouth, throat, or lung cancer. They also are
leading factors of emphysema and chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The
sooner you quit, the better.

F U N PA G E
Answers on Page 87
Humour...!
• Why shouldn't you tell a secret on a farm?
Because the potatoes have eyes and the corn has ears!
• What do you get when you cross a robot and a tractor?
A transfarmer. What day do potatoes hate the most?

Agriculture Builds the Nation
Jamaica’s prosperity and development
depend on the work of our farmers.
With superior products, strong brands and

technical support, H&L Agro adds power to
your skill, helping you transform your work
into wealth.
REAL FARMERS,
REAL GROWTH,
START WITH

The Tropical Farmers' Almanac 2020 - 1 PDF

Încărcat de

Informații document

Titlu original

Drepturi de autor

Formate disponibile

Partajați acest document

Partajați sau inserați document

Opțiuni de partajare

Vi se pare util acest document?

Este necorespunzător acest conținut?

Drepturi de autor:

Formate disponibile

The Tropical Farmers' Almanac 2020 - 1 PDF

Încărcat de

Drepturi de autor:

Formate disponibile

7+(7523,&$/)$50(56·

Agri Life Foundation Ltd

Tropical Farmers’ Almanac 2020

Tropical Farmers’ Almanac 2020

Produced and Published By:

Tropical Farmers’ Almanac 2020

STATISTICS ON JAMAICAN AGRICULTURE

2007 1996 1978

REGISTRATED FARMERS FARMERS’ EDUCATIONAL LEVEL

AGRICULTURE PRODUCTION DATA

Non-Traditional Export (US$‘000)

Traditional Export (US$'000)

Meat Fish and Dairy (‘000 kgs)

Domestic Food Crops (Tonnes)

Traditional Export Crops (Tonnes)

Sources: Economic and Social Survey, Jamaica, Statistical Yearbook of Jamaica

Tropical Farmers’ Almanac 2020

(30 year period between 1971-2000)

JAMAICA’S MEAN RAINFALL

Rains are seasonal in Ja-

from June to September.

The average annual

(2,100 mm), but regional

The Hurricane Sea-

forecasts generally give

adequate warning so that

Audley Shaw JC Hutchinson Floyd Green

PARISH OFFICES/MANAGERS - RADA

Tropical Farmers’ Almanac 2020

PARISH OFFICES/MANAGERS - JAS

Tropical Farmers’ Almanac 2020

Tropical Farmers’ Almanac 2020

T he demand for hive products has

Tropical Farmers’ Almanac 2020

T he carrot is a root vegetable, usu-

Tropical Farmers’ Almanac 2020

S ince Jamaica legalized cannabis for me- velopment, is estimated at USD$150,000,

Goat Irish Potato

Tropical Farmers’ Almanac 2020

J amaica produced approximately

Tropical Farmers’ Almanac 2020

T he relatively high volume of fresh onion

Tropical Farmers’ Almanac 2020

When you don’t have the internal expertise

Agribusiness consulatants • Marketing/Promotion

Tropical Farmers’ Almanac 2020

R ed Peas are in high demand

R ed sorrel is a leafy tropical

For the latest news and views of farming

Tropical Farmers’ Almanac 2020

T here are many varieties of

Tropical Farmers’ Almanac 2020

B esides being delicious,

Tips for success in agriculture

Tropical Farmers’ Almanac 2020

T he production of tomato pres-

PHYTOVIVA SERVICES (INTERNATIONAL) INC.

Tropical Farmers’ Almanac 2020

Y am is one of the main sta-

Other Agricultural Business Ideas

Is agriculture a good investment?

Tropical Farmers’ Almanac 2020

Tropical Farmers’ Almanac 2020