Karl Samuda says

Dont give up on the sugar

VOL. 27 NO. 6 DECEMBER 2017 - JANUARY 2018 FREE COPY WWW.THEAGRICULTURALIST.COM

M
By MICAF Communications Office couraged local pro- Currently only 3,500 hectares are
inister of Industry, Com- ducers to expand pro- available. The Minister reported that some Minister Samuda thanked the Euro-
merce, Agriculture and Fish- duction to supply both 18,000 hectares of leased lands have pean Union for its contribution
eries, Karl Samuda, is encouraging the local and CARI- been returned by the Chinese to over the past 10 years
stakeholders in the sugar industry to COM markets. the Government of Jamaica through the Sugar Trans-
have a positive outlook on the sector Turning to the matter of and there were formation Programme. In
and to move forward with the confi- increased production now several addition, in the face of
dence that this industry will rise and productivity, opportunities the impact of climate
again. Minister Samuda for investors to change, he identified
Minister Samuda, who was speak- outlined a number get involved in the continued improve-
ing at the 80th annual conference of the of steps to increase use of these lands, ment in infrastruc-
Jamaica Association of Sugar Technol- efficiency in the field. not just for sugar but ture, irrigation,
ogists (JAST) November 2 in Ocho Rios, He said, for example, for diversification into agronomic practices as well
said there was an enormous reservoir of some 7,500 hectares of the cultivation of other as increased investments as
potential in the sugar cane industry. cane was required to make crops such as onion, he being essential to the fu-
The agriculture minister said that in production at said. ture viability of the indus-
comparison to the US$370 per tonne paid the try.
for raw sugar in the European market,
value-added sugar products could fetch
prices as high as US$2,000 per tonne for Minister of Industry, Com-
merce, Agriculture and
the commodity.
Fisheries, Karl Samuda
Against the background of the end of displays samples of locally
the special quota arrangement to the Euro- branded sugar at the Ja-
pean market for sugar from the African maica Association of Sugar
Caribbean and Pacific countries effective Monymusk
Technologists Conference held on No-
October 1, this year, Minister Samuda en- factory in Clarendon vember 2 in Ocho Rios.
viable.

INSIDE
Cane Farmers Association
profit jumps to $11.54 M ... page 5
Jamaicas domestic crop
production on the decline ... page 7

Cleanup JACRA act, before

implementation .... page 9

Diandra Rowe wins EU and Gates foundation

Prime Minister's Youth Award pledge 500 M for
See page 12 innovations in agri ... page 15
2 THE AGRICULTURALIST DECEMBER 2017 - JANUARY 2018 WWW.THEAGRICULTURALIST.COM

Congratulates
Dr. Michael Motta on being awarded Veterinarian of the Year!

Hi-Pro extends hearty congratulations to our very own Dr. Motta for being awarded
2016 Veterinarian of the Year by the Jamaica Veterinary Medical Association. Dr. Motta is an expert in Cattle
Fertility and pioneer of Embryo Transfer Technology, an invaluable mentor to veterinary students and completely
dedicated to his vocation of helping and healing animals for 19 Years and counting.

We thank you for your invaluable service to Hi-Pro

and Jamaicas agricultural sector!

WWW.THEAGRICULTURALIST.COM
Agriculture needs more energy and excitement
T he new year is approaching and should
bring joy and hope for a new beginning
and much optimism in the sector.
However, if the negative trends and the
lackluster performances continue in the
agriculture, 2018 will be another challeng-
ing year for farmers.
The nations overall domestic crop pro-
duction output has been lackluster this year
and could continue to face more poor per-
formance in 2018 because of unstable
weather conditions and significant con-
straints affecting production.
Jamaicas food security measure, includ-
ing the governments Vision 2030 Na-
tional Development Plan, could be
derailed as the island is losing 9,722
hectares of farmland each year, including
some 379,140 hectares or 63 percent, that
have disappeared over the past 48 years.
If the trend continues, Jamaica in 2030
would have lost a further 126,386 hectares,
or almost 44 percent of its farmlands. This
includes prime agricultural lands, which are
essential to the efficient production of live-
stock and crop production to satisfy both
the domestic and export markets.
A massive expansion of the coconut industry!
The opinions expressed in this newspaper, except for the above, do not necessarily reflect the views of The Agriculturalist and its publishers. Please send your com-
ments or suggestions to editor@theagriculturalist.com. Responses should be no longer than 400 words. Not all articles will be published.
T he Coconut Industry Board (CIB) has
put forward a comprehensive strategic
business and capital expenditure plan to
the Government of Jamaica, through the
Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agricul-
ture and Fisheries (MICAF) seeking its
support for the expansion of the local co-
conut industry.
The CIBs plan has targeted the plant-
ing of approximately 150,000 acres of co-
conuts over the next ten years, up from the
current 40,000 acres. By engaging some
2,000 new small farmers, medium size
growers and local and overseas investors
through our investment drive programme.
The CIB is proposing the develop-
ment of a private sector joint venture ini-
tiative to develop several factories for
coconut water, and sports drink production
facilities, virgin coconut oil production fa-
cilities as well as cocoa fermentaries for
the export of cocoa.
The current plans call for an invest-
ment of J$3.0 billion over ten years, with
an anticipated internal rate of return of
29.1%. It is estimated that this plan could
generate thousands of stable long term jobs
within the agricultural sector. The program
is however subject to the approval of the
coconut growers at an extraordinary meet-
ing.
The strategic focus of the CIB is to po-
sition Jamaica as the leader in coconut
seedlings, coconut production and value-
added coconut products in the Caribbean.
We are at an exciting juncture. Growing
coconuts 25 years ago was a very marginal
exercise. The massive increase in demand
for coconut water sports drink, coconut oil
based medicines, and beauty products has
EDItoRIAl
Another disturbing development is the
increasing food import cost, which has been
averaging over US$906 million over the
past six years, while agricultural ex-
port is struggling at US$216
million.
However, all is not lost.
We have a healthy pool of
resourceful people in both
the public and private sec-
tors who are eager to see the
re-emergence of a thriving
agricultural industry. Also, a
new breed of savvy entrepre-
neurs, including members of the
Diaspora, is seeking invest-
ment opportunities in agricul-
ture and renewable energy.
But, some strategic inter-
ventions are needed to fix
agriculture.
The Ministry of Industry,
Commerce, Agriculture & Fish-
eries (MICAF) needs to put in
place strategies to fast-track the
modernization of agriculture to
enhance food security, improve rural liveli-
hoods and create wealth for the people.
the International Trade Center in Brussels.
BY ChRIStoPhER GENtlES
Chairman of the CIB
caused a significant shift in the need for co-
conut products.
Today, particularly with a vertically
integrated value-added component such as
the export of coconut water and the pro-
duction of virgin coconut oil, growing co-
conuts has become profitable.
The local coconut industry is poised
for significant growth as the CIB is also in-
creasing its nursery capacity and gaining
global recognition. Due to our extensive
research and technical competence in dis-
ease control, we have also been asked to
play a leadership role within the region on
several projects. We are building our rep-
utation as an authority on the development
of coconuts and its potential business
DECEMBER 2017 - JANUARY 2018 THE AGRICULTURALIST 3
Agricultural modernization and improved
production efficiency are some critical pre-
scriptions for tackling the challenges of the
farming sector, which is vital to
unlock economic growth po-
tential.
Overall, we need more
energy and excitements in
agriculture to keep the
sleeping king awake.
MICAF is now more reac-
tive than proactive. Not
many new and creative proj-
ects and programmes are being
rolled out.
While there may be other critical
issues affecting the operations at the
ministry, we agree with farmers and
other stakeholders who are com-
plaining agriculture is not doing
well under the merged MICAF.
With 28 departments and agencies in
the super MICAF, it is virtually impossible
for one Minister and a Permanent Secre-
tary to carry out their responsibilities as
outlined by Jamaican laws efficiently.
growth and overall contribution to national
development.
In fact, this business plan for the dra-
matic increase in the size of the Coconut
industry in Jamaica is partially inspired by
the European Union Caribbean Coconut
Competitiveness Improvement project,
which is being executed by CARDI and
Jamaica, through the CIB, is currently
leading the charge in the Caribbean on re-
search to fight against pathogens, namely
phytoplasma and bacteria, affecting tropi-
cal and subtropical crops in the European-
funded TROPICSAFE initiative.
According to data from the Statistical
Institute of Jamaica, during 2015 approxi-
mately $1.3billion (US$11.4million) of co-
conuts and coconut by-products were
imported to satisfy local demand.
The CIB notes that the provision of a
consistent supply of quality raw materials
such as seedlings for planting and coconuts
for processing, as well as the development
of several coconut varieties will help to de-
crease import costs.
The Board currently manages two
seed gardens and four nurseries with a total
production capacity of 400,000 seedlings
each year and also provides a market for
coconuts produced by small farmers. The
plan is for a resuscitation and expansion of
its coconut seed gardens and nursery facil-
ities intending to adequately supply
seedlings to Jamaican farmers, entrepre-
neurs, and potential investors. We are also
aiming to provide the Caribbean region
and possibly the Asia-Pacific region with
planting material as part of our expansion
programme.
The Ministry that is hosting the agri-
culture and fisheries portfolios is over-
loaded and pressured with a numerous of
regulations and other bureaucratic red tape.
Five years after the late Minister of Agri-
culture, Roger Clarke, announced the
merger of the four agricultural entities
the coconut, coffee and cocoa boards and
the ministrys export division into a sin-
gle agency, the process is yet to be com-
pleted.
Production outputs of these commodities
continue to decline as farmers are aban-
doning their fields.
Food importers are raking in millions
because imported coffee, cocoa, meat, and
milk are outperforming local production.
The year 2018 is expected to be another
challenging period for farmers. However,
with more cohesive leadership at the Agri-
culture Ministry and better consultation
with farmers and stakeholders, we could
achieve success.
Patrick Maitland
Publisher - The Agriculturalist
The Board is also seeking to develop a
sustainable commercial business model by
establishing its own coconut farm inter-
cropped with cocoa and to seek private
joint venture partners for the establishment
and operation of a packaging facility for
coconut water and a processing plant for
virgin coconut oil.
The CIB has stated that it has made a
strong value proposition of a sustainable
coconut industry with the primary pillar
being an anticipated substantial positive
impact on national economic growth.
We are optimistic that our compre-
hensive business plan will get the approval
from policymakers and look forward to
working closely with the Government and
other stakeholders to take the coconut in-
dustry to the next level.
Publisher & Editor:
Patrick Maitland
Consulting Editors:
Vincent Wright, Jairzenho Bailey
Produced & Published by:
Agri life Foundation ltd
AMC Complex,
188 Spanish Town Road,
Kingston 11, Jamaica, W.I.
Tel: (876) 923-7471 923-7428
agriculturalist@gmail.com
editor@theagriculturalist.com
www.theagriculturalist.com
 NEWS
4 THE AGRICULTURALIST DECEMBER 2017 - JANUARY 2018 WWW.THEAGRICULTURALIST.COM

opportunities
in tourism for
local Farmers
M inister without Portfolio in the Min-
istry of Industry, Commerce, Agricul-
ture and Fisheries, J.C. Hutchinson, says the
tourism sector continues to offer opportuni-
ties to local farmers.
Speaking at the Human Employment
and Resource Training (HEART) College of
Hospitality Services/Western Hospitality In-
stitute Trade Show at the Cardiff Hotel and
Spa, Runaway Bay, St. Ann, on November
16, Hutchinson said that a close examination
of the countrys high food-import bill reveals
that a large portion of what is imported is
destined for the tourism sector.
Based on a 2015 Demand Study, it is

NEWPoRt-FERSAN PlANt toUR:

estimated that the annual value of demand
for agricultural products by the tourism sec-
tor is approximately $19 billion, the Minis-
ter noted.
More than 75 per cent of this value is
for food items in the poultry, meat, seafood
and fruit categories, of which locally
sourced agricultural produce accounted for
only $14.5 billion, he added.
Member of Parliament for St. Andrew East Rural and wife Prime Minister Andrew Holness Juliet Holness (5th
l) greets Newport-Fersan (Jamaica) Ltds managing director, Dennis Valdez (4th l), during a tour of the facili-
ties on November 24 at Newport West, Kingston. Also in the photo (l-r) Joan Sharpe Colley, Marketing Coor-
dinator, Newport-Fersan; Hector Ramirez, Plan Manager, Newport-Fersan; Charmaine Mendez Blackford,
Technical Manager, Newport-Fersan; Hedda Rose-Pitter, Business Development Manager, Newport-Fersan
Marketing Manager and Lloyd Benjamin, Chairman RADA St. Andrew Advisory Board.

Praedial larceny Unit Invites Entries

for Essay and Poster Competitions
T he Praedial Larceny Prevention Unit
(PLPU) in the Ministry of Industry,
Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries is now
accepting entries for its National Poster and
Essay Competitions.
Praedial Larceny Prevention Coordina-
tor, Trudy-Ann Edwards, said that the com-
petitions form part of the Ministrys public
education campaign aimed at sensitising Ja-
maicans about the negative extent, nature
and magnitude of praedial larceny.
What measures should be taken to com-
bat the theft of agricultural produce in Ja-
maica? Miss Edwards said the essay must be
an original work written in Standard Eng-
lish, and applicants are asked to submit the
essay along with a completed application
form and passport-size photograph.
The Praedial Larceny Prevention Unit
(PLPU) in the Ministry of Industry, Com-
merce, Agriculture and Fisheries is now ac-
cepting entries for its National Poster and
Essay Competitions.
The competitions, which are targeted at
students, will provide the opportunity for
them to become more aware of the impact
of praedial larceny and to propose solutions
to combat the theft of agricultural produce
in their respective parishes.
Primary-school students aged 9 to 12
are invited to submit entries for the poster
competition while the essay component is
open to 13- to 18-year-old students who are
attending secondary school or are members
of the Jamaica 4-H Clubs.

J$347 million in losses in agricultural

sector during october/November rains
T he Ministry of Agriculture is reporting
that the heavy rains in October and No-
vember resulted in J$347 million in losses
to the agricultural sector.
This is based on an assessment by the
Rural Agricultural Development Authority.
Minister without Portfolio in the Min-
istry of Agriculture, J.C Hutchinson, said
more than 3,600 farmers lost nearly 900
hectares of crops and 151 farmers lost 6,700
According to Hutchinson, Clarendon,
St Catherine and St Ann were among the
hardest hit parishes.
He also said consumers should expect a
shortage of some agricultural produce due
to the rain.
He however noted that prices have de-
creased for some crops such as ginger and
pineapple.

Book your advert in...

animals.

4-h ClUB lEADERS AWARD:

The Agriculturalist
Jamaica 4-H Club National Leader of the year awardee, Carlene Gab-
bidon holds her plaque while (l-r) Dwain Moodie, parish manager, Man-
chester 4H Club; Sharon Thompson-Jordan, president, 4-H Club Leaders
Call 923-7471 agriculturalist@gmail.com Association and Natalee Salomon, club leader join the celebration.

WWW.THEAGRICULTURALIST.COM
Cane Farmers Association
profit jumps to $11.54 million
By Kimmy Blair
T
Reporter - The Agriculturalist
he All-Island Jamaica Cane Farmers
Association (AIJCF) has recorded
over 100% improvement in its financial
performance with net profit as of Septem-
ber 30, 2017, stood at $11.54 million, com-
pared to net loss of $9.88 million during
the corresponding period of 2016.
The financial report of the AIJCF for
the period ending September 30, 2017, at-
tributed the performance to a substantial
gross profit of $8.23 million from the sales
of fertilizer, chemicals and other agricul-
tural supplies, management fee of $60 mil-
lion from the Sugar Industry Authority and
$24.02 million in levy from cane farmers
which push the associations income to
$94.34 million compared to $84.63 million
in 2016.
Secretary/manager at AIJCF, Nigel
Myrie notes that the operating expenses
were contained at $90.40 million or $6.24
million below corresponding period. Myrie
says, the Association had to make some
Clarke urges increased
major fiscal and structural adjustments to
investment in agriculture
A mbassador Plenipotentiary for Eco-
nomic Affairs, Dr. Nigel Clarke, is
calling for increased investment in agri-
culture, as there is great demand that is not
being satisfied and which the nation has
the ability to supply.
If we focus more on growing our
own produce, we would reduce the need to
import and satisfy the demands of our mar-
kets, which also results in an increase in
our gross domestic product (GDP), he ar-
gued.
He was speaking at the Jamaica Em-
ployers Federations (JEF) third annual
CEO Breakfast held on Tuesday (Novem-
ber 7) at The Knutsford Court Hotel in
New Kingston.
Dr. Clarke said that while there may
be concerns about the impacts of climate
change and natural disasters, new tech-
nologies are available to protect crops.
Its 2017, and with the application of
technology and proper infrastructure,
theres no need to be so much at the mercy
of droughts and floods as we are today.
What we need to do, and what we will be
certainly advocating for, is an acceleration
of investments in water infrastructure, stor-
age systems, distribution systems and irri-
gation, because the data suggest that
wherever agriculture goes, thats where Ja-
maica goes, he noted.
Dr. Clarke said that agriculture has
proven to be influential to the Jamaican
market and earnings, and is a key compo-
nent in the performance of the nation in
each quarter.
NEWS
DECEMBER 2017 - JANUARY 2018 THE AGRICULTURALIST 5
CASE lecturer
Donovan hill died
S
contain the cost of opera-
tions while we developed
new income streams. The enior lecturer in economics and entre-
initiatives realized for the preneurship at the College of Agricul-
association a reduction in ture, Science and Education (CASE)
the level of liabilities and Donovan "Panel" Hill, 54 died on
a cessation of gratuities Wednesday (December 6) after succumb-
payable on contracts. ing to a massive heart attack in the Port
Nigel Myrie The secretary/manager
Antonio Hospital where he was admitted
Secretary/
also explains that the early that day.
manager
AIJCF
changes coupled with the Donovan had an unrelenting ambi-
improvement in the fertil- tion to be successful and to support his
izer and chemical advance family and help people. He was a brilliant
programmes have repositioned the finan- scholar and businessman who will be
cial outlook of the association as a going missed by his students and thousands of
concern. customers in the island, Robert Mon-
The number of farmers supplying cane tague, Minister of National Security and a
increased slightly from 3,123 in 2016 to former college mate at CASE.
3,178 55 farmers or 2% more than 2016 Donovan is one of the most hard- Donovan "Panel" hill
but 25% less than 2015. working, dedicated and committed peo- December 6, 2017 - March 29, 1963
The All-Island Jamaica Cane Farmers' ple I have known. He was a devoted
Association was founded in 1941 to pro- family man who was always looking out Four children, five siblings, and his
mote foster and encourage the growing of for people, Richard Campbell, his long- parents survive him.
cane by farmers and the orderly and proper time friend and colleague at CASE re- A service of thanksgiving will be
delivery thereof to factories and extension called. held at the TP Lecky Theater, CASE,
and welfare of cane farmers as an island in- Hill who also operated a computer Passley Garden, Portland on January 21,
dustry. technology school, a juice bar and a 2018.
restaurant has been a lecturer at CASE for Interment will follow in Ensfield at
the past twenty years. the family plot.
Dr. Nigel Clarke, Ambassador
Plenipotentiary for Economic Affairs
He said the data show that whenever
agriculture does well, Jamaica does well
and when agriculture suffers, as was the
case in the last quarter Jamaica suffers.
So we need to have a strategic approach to
agriculture and double up our efforts in
that area.
We tend to underestimate how im-
portant agriculture is to Jamaica. Were
very much still an agricultural society
where agriculture plays a fundamental role
in the daily lives of Jamaicans, and if we
are to ensure that we can pick up and sus-
tain going forward, were going to have to
pay serious attention to agriculture, he
noted further.
Meanwhile, Dr. Clarke said the Ja-
maica economy is moving in the right di-
rection.
6 THE AGRICULTURALIST DECEMBER 2017 - JANUARY 2018 WWW.THEAGRICULTURALIST.COM
 NEWS
WWW.THEAGRICULTURALIST.COM DECEMBER 2017 - JANUARY 2018 THE AGRICULTURALIST 7

Jamaicas domestic crop production on the decline

By Patrick Maitland The Jamaica Metrological Office is re-

J
Editor-The Agriculturalist
amaicas overall domestic crop produc-
tion output has been lackluster this year
and could face more poor performance in
2018, due to unstable weather conditions
as well as significant constraints affecting
production.
According to data compiled by the
Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agricul-
ture & Fisheries, the first three-quarters of
2017 recorded declines of 4.6%, 11.0%
and 2.8% in the respective periods.
The first quarter production amounted
to 168,844.7 t, a marginal decline of 4.6%
when compared to the output in the com-
parable quarter of 2016 when approxi-
mately 176,969.6 t was reaped.
The declining trends continue in the
2nd quarter with 157,745.7 t, decreasing
sponding period of 2016, when some
177,825.1 t had been reaped.
The 3rd quarter produced 152157.7 t,
a declined of 2.8% when compared with
15,6611.9 t were produced in 2016.
rienced during the year, damaging estab-
lished crops in some of the major produc-
ing areas, further resulting in severe losses
to farmers across the island, as cash crops
were washed out and fields were flooded
porting above normal rainfall since the be-
ginning of 2017, which resulted in
significant flooding in some of the leading
producing communities. Persistent rain is
also forecasted for the final quarter of the
year, which would affect production out-
put negatively.
The Ministry also identified the fol-
lowing as among the major constraints to
production during the quarters under re-
viewed: High incidences of losses to prae-
dial larceny; high cost of labour and tractor
services; flooding; high cost of seedlings
and other planting materials; high cost of
inputs, fertilizers and chemicals; lack of ir-
rigation and water storage facilities; lack
of proper storage and drying facilities for
seeds and other planting materials and lack
of proper access to farms, and highly dete-
riorated farm roads.

Poultry industry launches public education

by 11.0 % when compared to the corre- The Ministry observed that production during the periods of excessive rainfall.
had been affected by the heavy rains expe-

Campaign on benefits of sector to Jamaican economy

T he Jamaica Broilers Group
will be launching a national
public education campaign to
focus on the significant contri-
bution being made by the local
poultry industry to the economy.

Prolong merger
The announcement was
made by Conley Salmon, Presi-

of JACRA affects
dent Jamaica Operations, Ja-
maica Broilers Group at the Best

coffee farmers
C
offee farmers said the prolonged
delay in completing the merger of
the coconut, coffee and cocoa boards
and the ministrys export division into
the Jamaica Agricultural Commodities
Regulatory Authority (JACRA) is nega-
tively affecting production.
Some five years ago the government
enacted JACRA, but after missing sev-
eral implementations and startup dates,
Donald Salmon president Jamaica Cof-
fee Growers Association (JCGA) said the
regulations keep changing, and it is very
worrying to farmers.
The implementation process is tak-
ing too long. More dialogue is needed.
Mass meetings of all the farmers are
needed to keep the farmers updated fully.
The process is too segmented, Salmon
charged.
Salmon explained that coffee farm-
ers we facing various challenge includ-
ing the lack of technical and marketing
support from the Coffee Industry Board
and more than 50% drop in the price
dealers paid for coffee beans.
During the 2016/17 crop we re-
ceived $10,000 for each box of coffee
delivered, however for the crop year to
2017/18 the price dipped to $4,000. This
low price is unsustainable and is driving
farmers into bankruptcy, Salmon
warned.
Dressed Chicken Farmers
Awards luncheon held on Mon-
day, December 4 at the Terra
Nova Hotel.
In commending members
of the poultry industry for their
professionalism and hard work,
Mr. Salmon said the time had
come for the wider public to bet-
ter understand the industrys im-
pact on employment provided
by the 60-thousand contract
farmers, over 2-thousand large
ones, as well as an increasing
group of backyard growers. Christopher levy (right), President of CEo of Jamaica Broilers Group gets ready to pres-
We are preparing a book- ent the Best Dressed Chicken trophy to Alexander Grant (left) as top Producer with less
let which will highlight the poul- than 96,000 birds.
try industrys contribution to
nation building, including the with the respective govern- about 50 per cent of the revenue retail price of between $90 and
ments, but must maintain an ef- from non-traditional agricultural $100 per pound for imported
fact that farmers pay taxes
amounting to about fective lobby with the nations products in Jamaica. He said necks and backs, effectively out-
leaders to ensure we operate free over the past five years the doing low quality imports.
$46 billion a year, which help to
of unfair competition from layer and broiler industries, These industrious farmers
maintain such social amenities
dumped, subsidised chicken, combined, have grown by close feed themselves and neighbours
as roads and schools, he said.
the JBG executive said. to 25 per cent - a remarkable on a superior, home-grown
According to Mr. Salmon
Many people have no idea achievement, of which we can product, while saving foreign
local broiler farmers produce be-
tween 2.5 million and 3 million about the size of our industry be proud. This also speaks to the exchange. So, we need to en-
kilos of chicken meat every which involves a variety of skill close co-operation between the courage them. In fact, the ma-
week. This is big business, but sets, such as the farmers, vets, government and the industries, jority of backyard farmers are
it is vulnerable to an ever pres- truck drivers, retailers, whole- aimed at feeding our nation. women, who support their fam-
ent threat from the dumping of salers and food vendors, Mr. Mr. Salmon also told his ilies with that income. When
cheap imports. This is the rea- Salmon said. audience that the importation of they sell meat from 100 chick-
son we have to keep the public According to the JBG exec- chicken necks and backs had de- ens at retail value, they earn
educated as to the value of the utive, the local poultry industry clined drastically in recent about six weeks minimum
industry and how it contributes is expected to bring in approxi- times, as backyard farmers were wage. And, thats a success story
to communities. We have had mately J$54 billion in retail able to produce more whole more people need to hear
good partnerships over the years sales in 2017, which represents chickens at the same cost as the about, Mr. Salmon said.
8 THE AGRICULTURALIST DECEMBER 2017 - JANUARY 2018 WWW.THEAGRICULTURALIST.COM
 Cleanup JACRA act, before implementation
WWW.THEAGRICULTURALIST.COM
I t is my view that the passing of the Ja-
maica Agricultural Commodities Regu-
latory Authority bill into law was done at
the minimum without critical stakeholder
consultation and for this, Donald Stan-
berry, the Permanent Secretary of the Min-
istry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture,
and Fisheries, must be held responsible.
The bill, in the main appeared to be
devoid of stakeholder participation and ap-
peared to be rushed through the houses of
Parliament.
However, a preliminary reading of the
Jamaica Agricultural Commodities Regu-
latory Authority Act 2016, indicates that
the project in the main is good for the agri-
cultural sector, save that of a few offensive
sections which if, was afforded the neces-
sary transparency, could be avoided.
It is the opinion of a broad cross-sec-
tion of farmers, agribusiness and intellec-
tual leadership that the regulations to
support the Law is being done without con-
sultation or stakeholder participation.
This should not be allowed in a soci-
ety that prides itself on being compliant
with the best practices of most contempo-
rary international conventions.
The Law needs to be amended, even
before it gets the chance of being applied,
for the following reasons:
1. There are blatant constitutional con-
flicts contained within the provisions of the
Act.
2. There are provisions of the Act that
The Jamaica Dairy Development Board is inviting Farmers,
Milk Processors, Importers of Milk and Maufacturers to the Consultation with
Stakeholders Conference, to Sensitize and to receive feedback from stakeholders
on the future development pathway for the Jamaica Dairy Industry.
Friday, December 15, 2017 at Medallion hall hotel
the Jamaica Dairy Development Board: 619-1731
By omer thomas
International Agricultural
Development Consultant
Phytovivaservices@yahoo.com
are conflicting with other laws dealing with
good order and practices in the local busi-
ness environment.
3. There are provisions of the Act that
are conflicting with Jamaican law which
ratified the Uruguay round of the World
Trade Organization (WTO).
4. The Act which appears to be an
amalgamation of several commodity board
Acts of the 1950s did not embrace the en-
vironmental changes which make aspects
of those acts obsolete; Is it an amalgama-
tion of four outdated Laws?
5. The Act seems to have ignored the
realities of the standardization infrastruc-
NotICE
StAKEholDERS CoNFERENCE
DAIRY FARMERS AND MILK PROCESSORS
Registration Begins at 7:30am.
-
For Further Information, Contact
DECEMBER 2017 - JANUARY 2018 THE AGRICULTURALIST 9
ture which allows for third-party certifica-
tion and use of food safety standards and
market-driven quality issues.
6. The law seeks to prescribe stan-
dards for the code of good practice which
are conflicting with international norms
and market demands.
No need to import sugar
from out side the region!
I
t seems crazy that the region is importing
sugar from places like Colombia or Mex-
ico which we can supply at home or right
next door, Sugar Association of the
Caribbean (SAC) chairman, R. Karl James
responded said.
He was speaking at the International
Sugar Organisation (ISO) in London last
week at the annual conference on the global
sugar sector.
James further noted, Caribbean sugar
producers across the region are successfully
moving up the value chain to produce sugars
which can be used directly by consumers and
manufacturers. White sugar suitable for 98%
of all uses can now be produced within the
region. National strategies are in place for
all of the key sugar industries.
We are now actively speaking with our
local manufacturers who buy their sugar in-
ternationally to understand and meet their
supply requirements through regional sugar
Outside of these issues, I believe this
project (JACRA Act) is good for the or-
derly development of the agricultural sec-
tor, and I am therefore suggesting that the
Minister demur from invoking Section 1 of
the Act until and unless a stakeholders re-
view is completed and the necessary
amendments made.
production. The re-
gional industry in
2017 produced
417,000 tonnes of
sugar, far more than
estimated demand of
320,000 tonnes in the
region.
It seems crazy
that the region is im-
porting sugar from
R. Karl James places like Colombia
Chairman, Sugar or Mexico which we
Association of can supply at home or
the Caribbean right next door.
Sugar can be a
tremendous force for good helping manu-
facturers to supporting the local economy
and local jobs by sourcing their raw materi-
als locally; helping countries cut down on
their dollar import bills; and generating new
cheap clean energy for businesses and local
people.
10 THE AGRICULTURALIST DECEMBER 2017 - JANUARY 2018 WWW.THEAGRICULTURALIST.COM
WWW.THEAGRICULTURALIST.COM DECEMBER 2017 - JANUARY 2018 THE AGRICULTURALIST 11

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SAVES TIME 160 gallon poly tank Fiberglass lance with hose: 1400 mm
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LESS FATIGUE Hydraulic duct controls standard Suitable for garden & household
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12 THE AGRICULTURALIST DECEMBER 2017 - JANUARY 2018 WWW.AGRIGRICULTURALIST.COM

PRoDUCt tAlK:
Charles Douglas, chairman of Jamaica 4h Club, shares a light moment with Ale-
cia Fulton, national home economics coordinator (c) and Shanique Allen, director
of finance and accounts during a farmers market held recently at the Clubs head
offices, Kingston 6.

The Agriculturalist
Prime Minister's Youth Award: Book your advert in..
Diandra Rowe, 26 (left) receives the Prime Minister's Youth Award in the cate-
gory of agriculture and agro-processing from Prime Minister Andrew holness.
Seventy-three other young people who have made outstanding contributions in
various areas were presented with the Prime Minister's Youth Awards for Excel-
lence, during a ceremony held last Wednesday on the lawns of the office of the
Prime Minister in Kingston. At the annual Denbigh Agricultural, Industrial and

Call 923-7471 agriculturalist@gmail.com

Food Show held in August 2017, Diandra was also named the National Champion
Greenhouse Farmer and Most Innovative Farmer.

oUR PRoDUCtS
Garden Soil
Germination Medium
Compost
Fortified organic Matter
organic Fertilizer

What happens When organic Matter is Used?

Reduced fertilizer less reduced

Increased soil microbiology which in turn:
help crop roots extract nutrients from the soil making fertilizer usage more efficient
Activate nutrients recycling converting crop residue into nutrients, reducing
fertilizer requirements
Increases soil structure and porosity
Increases the soils ability to manage water:
humus holds 4 times its weight in water helping fight dry conditions
By increasing soil porosity excess rain is allowed to pass through the soil
humus holds soil in place reducing wind and water erosion

Knockalva Enterprises limited, trading as EASI-GRo, was founded in April 2014 to supply the needs
of the emerging sustainable agriculture market by providing the best organicbased growing products,
as well as the knowledge needed to economically implement sustainable, organic growing practices.
 PhotoS
WWW.THEAGRICULTURALIST.COM DECEMBER 2017 - JANUARY 2018 THE AGRICULTURALIST 13

FARMERS to GEt CoFFEE SEEDlINGS:

Member of Parliament for East Rural St. Andrew and wife of the
Prime Minister, Juliet holness, displays strawberries grown by

VEtERINARIAN oF thE YEAR:

farmers in her constituency during her contribution to the
2017/18 Constituency Debate in the house of Representatives on
November 7. holness disclosed that over 50,000 blue mountain
coffee seedlings (tipica) are to be distributed to farmers in East Senior Veterinarian at the Jamaica Broilers Group, Dr. Michael Motta receiving the
Rural St. Andrew, under a joint project with the Embassy of Veterinarian of the Year Award, from Dr. Kevin C. Walker, Veterinary Special-
Japan called the Enhancement of Production of Blue Mountain
Coffee. We want to ensure that we have the best coffee and we
ist at the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture & Fisheries during the re-
maintain it and the tipica variety is the best there is, so we want cent Veterinary Medical Association awards ceremony. Dr. Motta was recognised
to expand that. our goal is to increase productivity, holness for developing Jamaicas first calf born to embryo transfer with a Jamaica hope
said. and a surrogate Red Poll dam.

HEAD OFFICE
191 Old Hope Road
Kingston 6
Tel: 977-4022/6727 or 618-0172
Fax: 927-2696

THE OPERATION CENTRE

15 Barrett Street, Spanish Town
St. Catherine
Tel: 984-0625/5792 or 469-1910

Website: www.nicjamaica.com
E-mail: nic@cwjamaica.com

@nicltdjamaica @NICJamaica

Irrigation...Making the Difference in Agriculture

14 THE AGRICULTURALIST DECEMBER 2017 - JANUARY 2018 WWW.THEAGRICULTURALIST.COM
 INtERNAtIoNAl NEWS
WWW.THEAGRICULTURALIST.COM
EU and Gates foundation pledge 500 Coffee prices may
million for innovations in agriculture C
be poised for revival
T
he European Union together with the Bill
and Melinda Gates Foundation pledged
on Tuesday (12 December) more than 500
million over the next three years for research
and innovation in agriculture.
The EU, which is the largest donor for
development aid, and the Bill and Melinda
Gates Foundation, which is the larger phi-
lanthropist organisation in this field, will
work together on a joint initiative to drive
research and technical and organisational
innovations across agricultural and food
systems in developing countries.
Both sides consider that more science
and innovation is required to address
some of the most pressing challenges
posed by climate change. This joint initia-
tive will build on the outcomes of the Paris
Agreement and the recent COP23 held in
Bonn on the role of agriculture in the climate
change agenda.
Among other philanthropists, Bill Gates
is one of the stars at the One Planet Summit
hosted by French President Emmanuel
Study ties pesticides in food to reduced fertility in women
Macron on the two-year anniversary of the
Paris climate accord, which saw nearly 200
F
(CNN)
ruits and vegetables are an essential part
of a healthy pregnancy diet, providing vi-
tamins and fiber. Yet some might also come
with pesticide residues.
Among women undergoing infertility
treatment in the United States, consuming
more fruits and vegetables with high amounts
of pesticide residue was associated with a
lower chance of pregnancy and a higher risk
of pregnancy loss, according to a study pub-
lished in the journal JAMA Internal Medicine
on Monday.
Pesticides are pest-killing substances
often applied to fruits and vegetables to help
protect them -- and us -- against harmful
mold, fungi, rodents, weeds and insects.
There has been growing concern that expo-
sure to pesticides can be tied to certain acute
and chronic human health concerns.
"Most Americans are exposed to pesti-
cides daily by consuming conventionally
grown fruits and vegetables," said Dr. Yu-
Han Chiu, a research fellow in the depart-
Illegal pesticide contamination of food imports on the rise
ment of nutrition at the Harvard T.H. Chan
A
euroefe.es | translated by Sam Morgan
PARMA , ITALIAN:
European Food Safety Agency (EFSA)
report has warned that 6.5% of food im-
ports from third countries contain pesticide
residue that exceeds the EUs maximum per-
mitted level. EURACTIV Spain reports.
The EFSA, based in the northern Italian
city of Parma, said that its most recent data,
collected in 2014, shows a slight increase
from 2013, when 5.7% of food was contam-
inated.
In terms of food produced by the 28
member states, as well as Iceland and Nor-
way, just 1.6% contained limit-exceeding
pesticide residue, up from 1.4% in 2013.
France's President Emmanuel Macron (R) and US entrepreneur and philantropist
Bill Gates talk on the boat which carries heads of state to the One Planet Summit
at La Seine Musicale venue on the Ile Seguin in Boulogne-Billancourt, near Paris,
France, 12 December 2017. [Pool/EPA/EFE]
governments agree to end their heavy re-
liance on fossil fuels and limit further global
warming.
Innovations in agriculture may imply
the use of GMOs. Bill Gates is known for his
support for genetic engineering. In an inter-
view with the Wall Street Journal last year,
he said that GMOs for Africa are going to
School of Public Health and first author of
the study.
"There have been concerns for some
time that exposure to low doses of pesticides
through diet, such as those that we observed
in this study, may have adverse health effects,
especially in susceptible populations such as
pregnant women and their fetus, and on chil-
dren," she said. "Our study provides evidence
that this concern is not unwarranted."
Yet the findings should be digested with cau-
tion, said Janet Collins, executive vice pres-
ident of science and regulatory affairs for
Unpublished field trials by pesticide
manufacturers show their products cause se-
rious harm to honeybees at high levels, lead-
ing to calls from senior scientists for the
companies to end the secrecy which cloaks
much of their research.
Of nearly 83,000 food samples
analysed, 97% complied with the rules, ei-
ther by being completely pesticide free (53%
of the samples achieved this) or by being
within the legal limits.
EFSA pesticide unit Head Jos Tarazona
explained that the EUs results from 2014
are in line with what was recorded the year
before, meaning that the EU is continuing the
protect consumers by controlling the pres-
DECEMBER 2017 - JANUARY 2018 THE AGRICULTURALIST 15
make a huge difference, particularly because
of climate change.
EU Commissioner for International Co-
operation and Development Neven Mimica
said that the impact of climate change was es-
pecially important for less developed coun-
tries, where extreme weather events can
cause dramatic yield reductions and even
famine. Source: www.euractiv.com
CropLife International, a trade association
representing the manufacturers of pesticides.
Collins was not involved in the study.
"The JAMA research publication does
not show a direct link between pesticide
residue intake and pregnancy outcome, as the
authors state. This is a hypothesis generating
study, and as the authors recommend, we
agree that before a definitive outcome can be
established the issues require further study,"
she said in an emailed statement.
How harmful are pesticide residues?
The study involved 325 women between
18 and 45 who were undergoing infertility
treatment with assisted reproductive technol-
ogy at the Massachusetts General Hospital,
the researchers said.
The women completed a diet assessment
questionnaire and had their height, weight
and overall health measured, while the re-
searchers accounted for confounding factors
that could influence the study results, includ-
ing their intake of supplements and residen-
tial history.
ence of pesticides in food.
In total, 3,265 samples were tainted with
over-the-limit levels of pesticide, mostly
from imports, and about 1,253 cases were
contaminated by pesticides that are not ap-
proved in the EU.
The Spanish region of Aragn is set to
request European funding from the Horizon
2020 programme to combat environmental
pollution caused by a now-banned pesticide.
EURACTIV Spain reports.
The European agency said that it is un-
likely that the levels of pesticide it detected
would pose a threat to peoples health in the
short or long term.
offee prices could be ready to re-
cover as the market negotiates a pro-
duction deficit but the gains may
struggle to last long, according to Sucden
Financial.
The commodities broker pegged
global coffee production for the current
2017-18 crop year at 154.4m bags, down
from 156.3m bags last year, while con-
sumption is expected to increase to 158m
bags.
The resulting deficit of 3.6m bags
could lend support to coffee prices,
which have been under consistent down-
ward pressure for the last 12 months.
Meanwhile, the net short in New
York-traded arabica coffee futures and
options is approaching record highs,
which could leave the market vulnerable
to a rapid spike, Sucden said, flagging the
potential for a weakening dollar to sup-
port price gains too.
Greenback weakness against the
likes of the real boosts the value in dollar
terms of assets in which, in this case,
Brazil is a major player.
However, Sucden caution against
expecting any longer term price im-
provements, anticipating "the dark cloud
of a large Brazil crop to cap prices on the
upside".
Output in the worlds largest pro-
ducer, Brazil, is slightly lower in 2017-
18 on 50.6m bags, due to the biennial
cycle of Brazilian production.
ld need to be replenished, indicating that
"shipments will be low for the remainder
of 2017", Sucden said.
This supply scenario could be com-
plicated by the onset of La Nina, which is
underway according to official US mete-
orologists, who give it a 65-75% chance
of continuing through the winter.
Sugar prices slow
decline, after harp
drop in Brazilian
S
ugar futures staged a - temporary - re-
vival after data showed output in
Brazils Centre South region tailing off
faster than had been thought, hampered
by wet weather as well as a preference
for making ethanol.
The Centre South, responsible for
some 90% of Brazilian sugar output, pro-
duced 734,000 tonnes of the sweetener in
the second half of November a slump
of 35% on volumes in the same period
last year.
The extent of the decline reflected
largely a 22% drop in the volume of cane
crushed, to 15.2m tonnes, thanks to wet
weather setbacks to harvesting.
The fall in the milling [volume] is
due to rains, which made harvesting in
important sugarcane areas difficult, said
Antonio de Padua Rodrigues, the Unica
technical director, adding that onset of
seasonal closures by more mills had also
undermined output.
16 THE AGRICULTURALIST DECEMBER 2017 - JANUARY 2018 WWW.THEAGRICULTURALIST.COM

Eat what we grow

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

We call it the greenhouse revolution helping to feed

Noranda Jamaica Bauxite Partners

Browns town, St Ann Jamaica

WWW.THEAGRICULTURALIST.COM
Six Ways Drones Are Revolutionizing Agriculture
U
by Michal Mazur
www.science.howstuffworks.com
nmanned aerial vehicles
(UAVs)better known as
droneshave been used commer-
cially since the early 1980s. Today,
however, practical applications for
drones are expanding faster than
ever in a variety of industries,
thanks to robust investments and
the relaxing of some regulations
governing their use. Responding to
the rapidly evolving technology,
companies are creating new busi-
ness and operating models for
UAVs.
The total addressable value of
drone-powered solutions in all ap-
plicable industries is significant
more than $127 billion, according
to a recent PwC analysis.
Among the most promising
areas is agriculture, where drones
offer the potential for addressing
several major challenges. With the
worlds population projected to
reach 9 billion people by 2050, ex-
perts expect agricultural consump-
tion to increase by nearly 70
percent over the same time period.
In addition, extreme weather
events are on the rise, creating ad-
ditional obstacles to productivity.
Agricultural producers must
embrace revolutionary strategies
for producing food, increasing pro-
ductivity, and making sustainabil-
ity a priority. Drones are part of the
solution, along with closer collabo-
ration between governments, tech-
nology leaders, and industry.
Six options for
Agricultural Drones
Drone technology will give
the agriculture industry a high-
technology makeover, with plan-
ning and strategy based on
real-time data gathering and pro-
cessing. PwC estimates the market
for drone-powered solutions in
agriculture at $32.4 billion. Fol-
lowing are six ways aerial and
ground-based drones will be used
throughout the crop cycle:
1. Soil and field analysis:
Drones can be instrumental at the
start of the crop cycle. They pro-
duce precise 3-D maps for early
soil analysis, useful in planning
seed planting patterns. After plant-
ing, drone-driven soil analysis pro-
vides data for irrigation and
nitrogen-level management.
2. Planting: Startups have
created drone-planting systems that
achieve an uptake rate of 75 per-
cent and decrease planting costs by
85 percent. These systems shoot
pods with seeds and plant nutrients
into the soil, providing the plant all
the nutrients necessary to sustain
life.
3. Crop spraying: Distance-
measuring equipmentultrasonic
echoing and lasers such as those
used in the light-detection and
tEChNoloGY
ranging, or LiDAR, methoden-
ables a drone to adjust altitude as
the topography and geography
vary, and thus avoid collisions.
Consequently, drones can scan the
ground and spray the correct
Drone options for agricultural crop spraying continues to grow with UAV platforms from
Japan, China, France and companies like Yamaha and DJI.
amount of liquid, modulating dis-
tance from the ground and spraying
in real time for even coverage. The
result: increased efficiency with a
reduction of in the amount of
chemicals penetrating into ground-
water. In fact, experts estimate that
aerial spraying can be completed
up to five times faster with drones
than with traditional machinery.
4. Crop monitoring: Vast
fields and low efficiency in crop
monitoring together create farm-
ings largest obstacle. Monitoring
challenges are exacerbated by in-
creasingly unpredictable weather
conditions, which drive risk and
field maintenance costs. Previ-
ously, satellite imagery offered the
most advanced form of monitoring.
But there were drawbacks. Images
had to be ordered in advance, could
be taken only once a day, and were
imprecise. Further, services were
extremely costly and the images
quality typically suffered on certain
days. Today, time-series animations
can show the precise development
of a crop and reveal production in-
efficiencies, enabling better crop
management.
5. Irrigation: Drones with hy-
perspectral, multispectral, or ther-
mal sensors can identify which
parts of a field are dry or need im-
provements. Additionally, once the
crop is growing, drones allow the
calculation of the vegetation index,
which describes the relative density
and health of the crop, and show
the heat signature, the amount of
energy or heat the crop emits.
6. health assessment: Its es-
sential to assess crop health and
spot bacterial or fungal infections
on trees. By scanning a crop using
both visible and near-infrared light,
drone-carried devices can identify
which plants reflect different
amounts of green light and NIR
light. This information can produce
multispectral images that track
Eliminating enemies
technology: the Future of Agriculture
T
By Anthony King
he Food and Agriculture Or-
ganization of the United Na-
tions estimates that 2040% of
global crop yields are lost each
year to pests and diseases, despite
the application of around two-mil-
lion tonnes of pesticide.
Intelligent devices, such as
robots and drones, could allow
farmers to slash agrichemical use
by spotting crop enemies earlier to
allow precise chemical applica-
tion or pest removal, for example.
The market is demanding
foods with less herbicide and pes-
ticide, and with greater quality,
says Red Whittaker, a robotics en-
gineer at Carnegie Mellon who
designed and patented an auto-
mated guidance system for trac-
tors in 1997. That challenge can
be met by robots.
We predict drones, mounted
with RGB or multispectral cam-
eras, will take off every morning
before the farmer gets up, and
identify where within the field
there is a pest or a problem, says
Green. As well as visible light,
these cameras would be able to
collect data from the invisible
parts of the electromagnetic spec-
trum that could allow farmers to
pinpoint a fungal disease, for ex-
ample, before it becomes estab-
DECEMBER 2017 - JANUARY 2018 THE AGRICULTURALIST 17
changes in plants and indicate their
health. A speedy response can save
an entire orchard. In addition, as
soon as a sickness is discovered,
farmers can apply and monitor
remedies more precisely. These
two possibilities increase a plants
ability to overcome disease. And in
Drones with precision sprayers (insert) apply agrochemicals
only where they are needed. Image: Crop Angel Ltd
lished. Scientists from Carnegie
Mellon have begun to test the the-
ory in sorghum (Sorghum bi-
color), a staple in many parts of
Africa and a potential biofuel crop
in the United States.
Agribotix, an agriculture
data-analysis company in Boul-
der, Colorado, supplies drones
and software that use near-in-
frared images to map patches of
unhealthy vegetation in large
fields.
Images can also reveal po-
tential causes, such as pests or
the case of crop failure, the farmer
will be able to document losses
more efficiently for insurance
claims.
Whats Next?
Looking further into the fu-
ture, UAVs might involve fleets, or
swarms, of autonomous drones that
could tackle agricultural monitor-
ing tasks collectively, as well as hy-
brid aerial-ground drone actors that
could collect data and perform a
variety of other tasks.
So, whats slowing the
progress of drones in agriculture?
Beyond the barriers to widespread
drone adoption in all industries
safety of drone operations, privacy
issues, and insurance-coverage
questionsthe biggest agricultural
concern is the type and quality of
data that can be captured. To ad-
dress this, the industry will push for
more sophisticated sensors and
cameras, as well as look to develop
drones that require minimal train-
ing and are highly automated.
For more on drones in agricul-
ture and seven other industries, see
www.pwc.com comprehensive re-
port.
-Michal Mazur is a partner in
PwCs Drone-Powered Solutions
division, @PwCDrone, based in
Poland.
problems with irrigation. The
company processes drone data
from crop fields in more than 50
countries. It is now using machine
learning to train its systems to dif-
ferentiate between crops and
weeds, and hopes to have this ca-
pability ready for the 2017 grow-
ing season. We will be able to
ping growers with an alert saying
you have weeds growing in your
field, here and here, says crop
scientist Jason Barton, an execu-
tive at Agribotix.
18 THE AGRICULTURALIST DECEMBER 2017 - JANUARY 2018 WWW.THEAGRICULTURALIST.COM

In case you
missed it
Over 300 individuals from all across Jamaica converged at the Jamaica
Conference Centre for the 2017 Hi-Pro Dealer Awards to celebrate the
achievements of high-performing dealers.

Hi-Pros top dealers received

Zone and All-Island awards
for excellence in Feed and
Merchandise Sales.

Gospel Artiste, Kevin

Downswell, gave a
captivating performance
to an excited audience,
who sang and danced
along throughout his set.
WWW.THEAGRICULTURALIST.COM DECEMBER 2017 - JANUARY 2018 THE AGRICULTURALIST 19
20 THE AGRICULTURALIST DECEMBER 2017 - JANUARY 2018 WWW.THEAGRICULTURALIST.COM

WWW.THEAGRICULTURALIST.COM
Another cutting edge farm product from hi-Pro
I n keeping with its commitment to bring
cutting edge products to the local market,
the Hi-Pro Division of the Jamaica Broil-
ers Group has introduced the Diamond R
Purkote Control Release Fertilizer in vari-
ous blends.
Diamond R has an exclusive agree-
ment with Pursell Agri-Tech to distribute
the Purkote brand.
The Control Release Fertilizer will be
available to the farming community as of
January 2018 at Hi-Pro Farm Supplies.
The product, which is an innovative
technology for sustainable plant nutrition,
is an environmentally friendly product ca-
pable of withstanding heavy rainfall with-
out leaching and with almost no run-off
into rivers and other water sources.
However, it needs heat and water to be
Celebrating December 5 as World Soil Day
activated. The controlled release technol-
ogy was introduced more than 40 years
Indeed our wealth is in the soil
A s Jamaica continues to strive towards
the national goal of achieving sustain-
able growth and job creation, it is abun-
dantly clear that agriculture and rural
development have a critical role to play in
this thrust.
This is so because it is the agricultural
sector that forms the base from which in-
dustrial growth and development stem and
therefore agriculture and agro-industry must
grow, if the economy is to grow. And, in
order to grow the sector, it must be organ-
ised and managed in a structured and busi-
ness-like manner that takes in all the vital
steps from the ground up along the value
chain.
Indeed our wealth is in the soil and we
need to match our idle lands with our
human, intellectual and material resources
to foster continual growth and expansion in
Promoting sustainable management of soil resources
agriculture and in turn to use agriculture to
W orld Soil Day (WSD) is held annually
on December 5 as a means to focus
attention on the importance of healthy soil
and advocating for the sustainable manage-
ment of soil resources.
An international day to celebrate Soil
was recommended by the International
Union of Soil Sciences (IUSS) in 2002.
Under the leadership of the Kingdom of
Thailand and within the framework of the
Global Soil Partnership, FAO has supported
the formal establishment of WSD as a global
awareness raising platform. The FAO Con-
ference unanimously endorsed World Soil
Day in June 2013 and requested its official
adoption at the 68th UN General Assembly.
In December 2013 the UN General Assem-
bly responded by designating 5 December
2014 as the first official World Soil Day.
The Global Soil Partnership is dedicat-
ing World Soil Day 2017 to the theme "Car-
ing for the Planet starts from the Ground".
Knowledge Page
Conley Salmon
President -Jamaica Operations,
Jamaica Broilers Group
By J.C. Hutchinson
Minister Without Portfolio
Ministry of Industry, Commerce,
Agriculture and Fisheries
facilitate more value-added production and
manufacturing.
By Marvalee Walker
Land Capability Planner
Agricultural Land Management Division
Soil is a finite natural resource. On a human
time-scale it is non-renewable. However, de-
spite the essential role that soil plays in
human livelihoods, there is a worldwide in-
crease in degradation of soil resources due
DECEMBER 2017 - JANUARY 2018 THE AGRICULTURALIST 21
ago, but has undergone evolution and im-
provement of the polymer and coating
process to be at its current advanced stage.
In recognizing the significance of the
new product to the local farming commu-
nity, Conley Salmon, President Jamaica
Operations at the Jamaica Broilers Group,
said: Our aim at Hi-Pro is to bring to the
local market the most innovative support
systems so that our farmers can realise the
best results. This new product is, therefore,
in line with that strategy and we welcome it
as an addition to the wide range of farming
supplies which we stock, he said.
Tricia Jackson, Store Operations Man-
ager, Hi-Pro Ace, said each granule is
wrapped in polymer plastic for protection,
with a specified amount of polymer coat-
ing used to regulate the release of each
granule.
It is against that background that the ob-
servance of World Soils Day assumes in-
creased significance.
And, I wish to commend the Agricul-
tural Land Management Division of the
Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agricul-
ture and Fisheries for leading the charge in
having Jamaica join the rest of the world
today, Tuesday, December 5, 2017, in cele-
brating World Soils Day.
I also salute the Food and Agriculture
Organization for having established this im-
portant annual observance, which serves to
raise awareness of the importance of this
natural resource.
As you may be aware, soil is the basis
for food, feed, fuel and fibre production. In-
deed, the maintenance or enhancement of
global soil resources is essential if human-
itys need for food, water, and energy secu-
rity is to be met, especially in this era of
rapid climate change.
to inappropriate management practices, pop-
ulation pressure driving unsustainable in-
tensification and inadequate governance
over this essential resource.
The 5 pillars of action; Soil manage-
ment; Awareness raising; Research; Infor-
mation and data and Harmonization
The Agricultural Land Management Di-
vision a division of the Ministry of Industry,
Commerce, Agriculture & Fisheries with re-
sponsibility for all soils related issues is this
year promoting soil as the basis for food,
feed, fuel, and fibre production.
Soil is the reservoir for at least a quar-
ter of global biodiversity and therefore re-
quires the same attention as above-ground
biodiversity. Soils play a role in the supply
of clean water and resilience to floods and
droughts. The largest store of terrestrial car-
bon is in the soil so that its preservation may
contribute to climate change adaptation and
mitigation. Soils also serve as a platform and
The fertilizer can be custom blended,
and can extend from a 45-day release to a
360-day release. In fact, the more layers of
wrapping, the longer it will take for the re-
lease to take place, she explained.
According to Jackson it is ideal for the
growing of such crops as Irish potato,
tomatoes, peppers, sugar cane, citrus, turf,
container plants, flowering plants and nurs-
erie
In addition, Hi-Pro is offering our
farmers access to a custom blend of CRF,
based on a soil analysis which our experts
can do free of charge. So, please call us,
Jackson said.
Diamond R has the exclusive contract
for the Purkote brand throughout the
Caribbean, so by extension, Hi-Pro Farm
Supplies has exclusive rights in Jamaica.
We must all heed the need to manage
and preserve, and nurture and enrich our soil
resources and so the outreach to our farmers
and student farmers is very important.
I note, in fact, with great interest, that
your activities today are being held at an
agricultural training institution and I urge the
young farmers in training to pay keen atten-
tion to the information that will be shared
and to play their part in the dissemination of
that information.
I encourage the team from the Ministry,
through the Agricultural Land Management
Division, to continue to intensify its soil
health assessment programme in order to
evaluate the status of soil degradation and to
change the trends of unsustainable farming
practices.
Best practices in soil health are essen-
tial to the productivity and health of both
crops and livestock and, ultimately, to us, the
end users - the consumers.
source for construction and raw materials.
The maintenance or enhancement of
global soil resources is essential if human-
itys need for food, water, energy and secu-
rity is to be met.
Soils have been neglected for too long.
Hence the World Soils Day campaign aims
to connect people with soils and raise aware-
ness on its critical importance in our lives.
Areas of fertile soils are under pressure due
to climate change and competing unsustain-
able land uses. To preserve our fertile soils
The Agricultural Land Management Di-
vision is encouraging our farmers to do soil
testing to preserve the nutrient status of soils.
For Further information on
Soil testing and analysis contact
The Agricultural Land
Management Division
191 Old Hope Road, Kingston 6
Tel : (876) 927-0441 or 977-0322

22 THE AGRICULTURALIST DECEMBER 2017 - JANUARY 2018
RECIPES
traditional Christmas
Banana
Fruit Cake
Ingredients:
cup butter
2 cups brown sugar
4 large eggs
2 cups all-purpose flour
3 cups candied fruit
2 cups chopped
cup pineapple canned,
candied and chopped
1 cup walnuts chopped
1 tablespoon orange juice
1 teaspoon orange zest grated
teaspoon orange extract
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
teaspoon nutmeg
teaspoon cloves, ground
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 cups bananas mashed
Directions
Prepare two 2 Litre (9" x 5") loaf
pans. Preheat oven to 300 F. In a
large bowl combine the fruit,
dates, pineapple and walnuts.
Dredge them with cup of the
flour. Sift the remaining flour to-
gether with the baking powder,
baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nut-
meg and cloves. Set aside.
Cream the butter, add the
sugar and beat until the mixture
is light and fluffy. Beat in the
eggs, one at a time. Beat in the
orange rind, orange juice and or-
ange extract. Mash the bananas
with a fork. (A food processor
will tend to liquefy the bananas
and this will change the texture
of the cake.) Alternately stir the
bananas and the flour mixture
into the creamed mixture. Stir in
the floured fruit and nuts.
Turn into the prepared pans
and bake for 2 hours and 15 min-
utes, or until a skewer inserted
into the middle of each cake
comes out clean. Cool in the
pans for 20 minutes, then turn
out onto racks.
Yields about 5 pounds of cake.
We publish your school and
college news, photos etc.,
The Agriculturalist Call 923-7471
agriculturalist@gmail.com
FooD PAGE
WWW.THEAGRICULTURALIST.COM
Jamaican Sweet
Potato Pudding
by Winsome Murphy
Jamaican Sweet Potato Pudding
is a favorite Sunday desert of Ja-
maicans and is fondly known as
hell a top, hell a bottom and hal-
lelujah in the middle
EAT JAMAICAN DAY:
Ingredients: (l-r) Donovan Stanberry - Permanent Secretary MICAF, Norman Grant - JAS President, Custos of
2 pounds sweet potato St.Andrew Patricia Dunwell, Trudy-ann Ashmead - National Farm Queen, Shanique Shand-
1 cup flour
Kingston and St. Andrew Farm Queen... look at a variety of Exotic Fruits at November 25th annu-
2 cups coconut milk
ally as Eat Jamaican Day held in Kingston.
1 cups raisin (some used other
dried fruits)
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 1/2 teaspoon grated nutmeg
1 teaspoon mixed spice
1 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon margarine
Get our recipes on your mobile
phone. Buy our iPhone or An-
droid Recipe App. Buy the cook
book Simple Jamaican Cook-
ing. Looking for Jamaican
recipe ingredients & seasoning
Shop Now in our online store.
Method:
Wash and pare off the skin
of the potatoes
Wash again then grate
Grate coconut, add water and
All eyes on
squeeze juice through a strainer
Blend flour, mixed spice
FHIA banana:
(raisins etc) ,salt, and nutmeg.
Combine this mixture with the
grated potatoes and mix well
Add sugar, fruits and coconut
milk. Mix well.
Grease pan, pour in batter, bake
Technical staff of The Banana Board display a
bunch of the new FHIA 25 variety which is known
at 350 degrees F for 40-60 min- for its many hands. Sharing lens time are (l-r) Al-
utes or until done fred Everett - Extension Officer; Wayne Peart - In-
novation and Technology Transfer Manager; Oral
Lewis - Coordinator of Extension Services and
Winford Madden - Extension Officer. Also pic-
tured is Nicole West-Hayles - Communications
Specialist on The Banana Board Grant Contract
for Technical Services, funded by The European
Union. Developed in Honduras by the Honduran
Foundation for Agricultural Research (Fundacion
Hondurena de Investigacion Agricola - FHIA),
FHIA was introduced to Jamaica in 2001. The
new varieties are most suitable for cooking and
agro-processing. While the FHIA takes an addi-
tional four to six months to mature, it is worth the
wait providing upwards of 17 bunches for har-
vesting. The FHIA cooks in less than five min-
utes, oozes less stain, easier to peel and leaves
no discolouration in the pot.
WWW.THEAGRICULTURALIST.COM DECEMBER 2017 - JANUARY 2018 THE AGRICULTURALIST 23
24 THE AGRICULTURALIST DECEMBER 2017 - JANUARY 2018 WWW.THEAGRICULTURALIST.COM