The Agriculturalist (Denbigh) August 2016

Ag Gets New Boards
VOL. 26 NO. 4 AUGUST 2016
FREE COPY
WWW.THEAGRICULTURALIST.COM
By Patrick Maitland
Editor-The Agriculturalist
lmost five months since the Jamaica

Labour Party (JLP) took office, the
appointment of chairs and directors for
several commodity boards and agencies
under the new super Ministry of Industry,
Commerce and Agriculture is almost complete. During the past six weeks, Minister
Karl Samuda has issued more than 100 appointment letters to agriculturalists, farmers, lawyers, social workers, teachers,
educators and entrepreneurs.
They hail from government agencies
serving the agricultural and farming sector.
With the exception of Hugh Graham, an
agricultural project development specialist, CEO of the Jamaica Dairy Development Board, and chairman of the
Agricultural Credit Board for the past nine
years, all other chairmen were serving for
the first time.
Genille Attalla, a Trelawny-based
businesswoman who becomes the second
woman to hold the post after the retired
company executive Mable Tenn, is now
chairing the Rural Agricultural Development Authority, the governments chief
agricultural extension agency.
Veterinarian and former JLP member
of parliament, Dr. St. Aubyn Bartlett,
chairs the veterinary board, while senior
agricultural economist and executive director of the Jamaica Productivity Centre,
Dr. Charles Douglas, chairs the Jamaica
4H Clubs.
Other appointments include: Agronomist and general manager of the All-island
Banana Growers Association, Donald
Elvey, the Jamaica Dairy Development
Board; Economist/trade specialist Sylburn
Thomas, the Coffee Industry Board; Ag
economist and acting CEO of Agri Invest
Corporation, Courtney Cole at Cocoa Industry Board; Associate professor and dean
of the College of Natural and Applied Sci-
Hugh Graham
Ag Credit Board
Genille Attalla
RADA
Dr. St Aubyn Bartlett
Dr. Charles Douglas

Jamaica 4H Clubs
Vet Board
Sylburn Thomas
Coffee Board
Courtney Cole
Cocoat Board
ences, Northern Caribbean University, Dr

Vincent F. Wright at Fisheries Development Fund; Champion farmer and former
Donald Elvey
Jamaica Dairy Board
Christopher Gentles
Coconut Board
Dr Vincent Wright
Fisheries Dev Fund
Jeffery Hall
Banana Board
CEO of the Coffee Board Christopher

Gentles, the Coconut Industry Board; and
Jamaica Producers Groups CEO and
chairman of the Bank of Nova Scotia, Jeffery Hall chairs the Banana Board.
Attorney-at-Law Wentworth Charles
chairs the SCJ Holdings Limited, while
banker and government Senator Aubyn
Hill, heads the National Irrigation Commission and Agri Invest Corporation.
RADA acting CEO Peter Thompson
also sits on the board of SCJ Holdings. Up
to press time, The Agriculturalist could
not confirm the chairmanship of the Sugar
Industry Authority.
SPECIAL FOCUS
pages 12-18
2 THE AGRICULTURALIST AUGUST 2016
With coffee at record prices, this industry is poised for

exponential growth!
Broiler farmers have achieved record production in the last
few months! This will undoubtedly result in fewer imports
of low grade chicken parts, which is good news for local
farmers and the Jamaican economy.
Jamaican egg farmers have had a good year so far with
increased egg output and continued self-sufficiency due to
a vibrant industry.
Potato and onion farming have experienced a significant
resurgence through the efforts of our Ministry of Agriculture
and local farmers. Despite last years drought, vegetable and
yam farmers have done very well.
Pig farmers are receiving good prices and meeting all the
needs of the local pork market.
Such growth and development in the sector make us proud
to be partners with the Ministry of Agriculture and Jamaica
Agricultural Society. We salute our farmers, and urge them
to continue Growing with Hi-Pro!
AUGUST 2016 THE AGRICULTURALIST 3
Hutchinson launches guidelines for organic products
JIS NEWS:
he way has now been officially cleared
for establishing an organic industry in
Jamaica. This follows the launch on
Wednesday, June 22 of the countrys organic standard which will guide organic
production and provide clear guidelines for
the declaration of products as organic.
Speaking at the launch ceremony held
at Woodford Market Garden near Peters
Rock in St Andrew, Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, the Hon.
J.C. Hutchinson endorsed the local organic
certification.
Minister Hutchinson explained that
the certification would allow for local trade
in the short term, pending the strategy for
the National Certification Body of Jamaica
(NCBJ) to work with overseas partners to
become internationally recognized as a certified body for organic products. Government will then seek to establish a
Competent Authority, through regulations,
under the Standards Act that will guide the
operations of the organic industry.
The Ministry of Industry, Commerce,
Agriculture and Fisheries is committed to
facilitating the continued growth of the organic sector, Minister Hutchinson said.
Meanwhile, executive director of the
Bureau of Standard, Yvonne Hall, in her remarks, noted that the locally developed
standard had evolved in to a regional standard to serve CARICOM.
MY POINT (l-r) Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, JC Hutchinson discusses
organic standards with James Rawle, chairman of the Standards Council of the Bureau of Standards Jamaica and Victor Cummings of
the Standards and Certification Committee of the Jamaica Organic Agriculture Movement at the launch of National Organic Standards
on June 22 at Woodford Market Garden in the hills of St Andrew.
The organic standard was developed

over the past nine years under the leadership of the Bureau of Standards Jamaica
(BSJ) working in collaboration with the
NCBJ and internationally-trained inspectors from the Jamaica Organic Agriculture
Movement (JOAM).
The organic industry is one of the
fastest growing agricultural sectors glob-
ally with sales estimated at US$104b in

2015. It has been spurred mostly by the
move to healthier lifestyles but the sector is
plagued by problems relating to a lack of
understanding among farmers and consumers about the term organic; false advertising of local and imported goods;
tourism products being falsely labeled organic to attract tourists and false claims by
farmers, whose farms are not certified,

competing unfairly with farmers whose
farms are certified.
Organic is a labeling term that denotes
products that have been produced in accordance with organic production standards and certified by a recognized
certification body or authority.
-
PEOPLE IN AGRICULTURE
Dr. Charles Douglas
Executive Director, Jamaica Productivity Centre

Chairman, Jamaica 4H Clubs
r. Douglas is the Executive Director of

the Jamaica Productivity Centre. He is
trained production economist and is a strong
development specialist.
As head of the JPC, Dr. Douglas serves as
productivity advocate, change management
catalyst, researcher, and policy adviser.
His career has taken him through several fields, many countries encompassing
three continents.
His most recent assignments included:
Assistant Director - Research and Macroeconomic Programming Division, Bank of
Jamaica; International Trade and Policy Analyst at the Washington, DC-based National
Centre for Food and Agricultural Policy;
and Senior Economist at the Caribbean
Agricultural Research and Development Institute.
He holds a
Doctorate in Production Economics
and
International
Trade from the
University
of
Florida; a M.Sc.
degree in Resource Economics from the
University
of
New England (New South Wales, Australia); and a foundation degree in Economics from McGill University (Qubec,
Canada).
His tertiary level training began at the
former Jamaica School of Agriculture
(J.S.A.) from which he graduated with an
Honours Diploma in General Agriculture.
Look out for
FARMERS ALMANAC 2017

book adverts and copies
923-7471 agriculturalist@gmail.com
Thompson is acting CEO, RADA
ollowing the departure of Lenworth Fulton as Chief Executive Officer - Rural

Agricultural Development Authority
(RADA), the principal director technical
services RADA, Peter Thompson was on
May 24, 2016 promoted to serve as acting
CEO.
Thompson has been described as results-oriented, high-energy, hands-on professional, with a successful record of service
in the Ministry of Agriculture; having completed two master degrees in business management, teaching (mathematics and
statistics) and general agriculture as well as
on-the-job training and experience in projects and operations management.
Peter Thompson
Acting CEO, RADA
Major Kates chairs CASE board
etired Commissioned Officer (Major) in

the Jamaica Defence Force George
Kates was recently appointed chairman of
the board of directors, College of Agriculture, Science & Education (CASE).
Kates has over ten years of experience
in the energy sector and joined the Jamaica
Public Services team in 2003. His overall responsibilities includes Corporate Security,
Loss Reduction, Occupational Health and
Safety and Environmental Management.
He was the Director of Safety, Security
and Occupational Health at Airports Authority of Jamaica.
Kates holds
an ASC from the
CASE; a B.Sc
Management and
Accounting from
the University of
the West Indies
and a M.Sc in
Corporate Security Management
from the Cranfield University
in the UK.
Major George Kates
The Greenhouse revolution Eat what we grow..Grow what we eat

Over the past five years Noranda Jamaica Bauxite Partners has been leading the charge
to transform agriculture by sharing greenhouse technology and spearheading the building
of over 120 greenhouses for small farmers in our mining areas.
We call it the greenhouse revolution helping to feed our nation
Noranda Bauxite is the proud sponsor of the National Greenhouse Farmers Competition
EDITORIAL
Agriculture Sector 2030 Plan is not working!
he Government of Jamaica has mandated the Planning Institute of Jamaica to lead preparation of a
comprehensive long-term National Development Plan, which will seek to place
Jamaica in a position to achieve developed country status by 2030.
An Agriculture Task Force that was
established to guide the development of
the plan began in January 2007, but only
came to full operation in 2009.
Under the Agriculture Sector Plan,
the vision is for the dynamic transformation of the Jamaican agricultural sector
through a sustained, research-oriented,
technological, market-driven and private
sector-led revolution, which revitalizes
rural communities, creates strong linkages
with other sectors and emphatically repositions the sector in the national economy
to focus on production of high-value commodities and contribute to national food
security.
Almost a decade in operation, it
would appear that the Agriculture Sector
2030 Plan has failed to bring about any

positive impact on local agriculture as
production output continues to decline
and a lackluster overall performance.
Our research-oriented and technological facilities are in shambles as the physical plants, including the Bogle Research
Centre, are deteriorating while research
specimens are unprotected.
The researchers are depressed because they cannot have access to basic resources to carry out their jobs.
The indiscriminate importation of
fresh farm produce and processed food is
creating unfair competition for farmers
because our ministers of agriculture are
always issuing licenses without any careful assessment of the local market.
Because it is a very lucrative business
to import most farm produce, our food import bill will continue to skyrocket.
Agriculture is not serious about creating strong linkages with other sectors,
as there are no mechanisms in place to demand such co-operation. Plus, within the
F
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by
PATRICK MAITLAND
Publisher -The Agriculturalist

editor@theagriculturalist.com
sector, there are already much disunity

and turf-protection that are affecting productivity.
Placing agriculture in the super ministry will not help the farmers, or solve the
problem, but instead will expose the already fragile industry of fierce and direct
competition for the limited resources
available to the ministry.
We agree that the solution must include the focus on production of highvalue commodities that contribute to
national food security. This is big business that requires considerable investment
and human resource capital to drive the
operation.
Therefore, the government must
demonstrate a commitment to the process
-- to ensure protection for investors and
the environment.
As a policy, for example, the government should stop the use of arable farmlands for housing and other non-farming
business.
The opinions expressed in this newspaper, except for the above, do not necessarily reflect the views of The Agriculturalist and its publishers. Please send your comments or suggestions to editor@theagriculturalist.com. Responses should be no longer than 400 words. Not all articles will be published.
OPINIONS
THE CARIBBEAN SHORTAGE OF COCONUTS:
An opportunity for Jamaica
refer to an article written by Christopher

Serju with regard to the fact that the
Caribbean is running out of Coconuts, and the
inability of the Caribbean to profitable take
advantage the huge surge in global demand
for Coconut products.
The Global consumer research agency
Mintel estimates that the United States Market
for Green Coconut Water (GCW) was estimated at US $ 1.36 Million in 2014, and this
demand will grow by 25% per year to exceed
US$ 4 Billion in 2019.
The demand for Extra-virgin coconut oil
has skyrocketed, ever since researchers have
discovered that the HDL cholesterol in Coconuts are actually good for your heart, joints
and can even minimize the riak of
Alzheimers; there has been a huge increase in
demand for the product.
The Coconut Industries in the Caribbean
has been plagued by significant economic diseases, such as lethal yellowing which destroyed almost 7 million Coconut trees
between 2000 and 2008, the red ring of Coconut in Trinidad and Belize,
Heart-rot or Citrus Wilt in Trinidad, and
the Rhinoceros beetle in Jamaica. Climate
Change which has brought on Hurricanes of
increased ferocity and droughts of increased
intensity, and fire has also significantly impacted upon the stock of coconut trees.
There are social plagues namely praedial
larceny, which is currently the #1 deterrent to
Coconut production in the Caribbean, and the
rural urban drift due to demographic changes
which make the appeal of a life of agriculture
By Christopher Gentles
Chairman, Coconut Industry Board
unappealing to rural youth.

The ultimate truth is that we have not
been replanting at the rate that we have been
losing trees, and as a result the overwhelming
majority of trees were planted prior to 1980,
and therefore would have passed their best
bearing years.
The Coconut Industry Board would have
been a keen observer of this shift in conditions
and is now significantly repositioning the Coconut Industry to take advantage of these increased prices for Coconuts.
It is estimated that we have 16,000 ha of
Coconut trees, with the individual tree count
estimated at 3,157,000 trees producing 98.5
million nuts per year. The Coconut Growers
have made it very clear that they are dissatisfied with the seedling supply by the CIB, and
there are many outsiders who have claimed
that the Coconut Industry Board is a sleepy
Commodity Board, and have basically written
off the Industry.
However the Coconut Industry Board is

a technically capable institution which has
given the gift of the Maypan Coconut seedling
and is currently working on the Braypan and
several promising hybrids including a possibly fully resistant variety to lethal yellowing.
The Coconut industry has also presented to
the World at the Asia Pacific Coconut Community conference the Micheal Black
Method of controlling the lethal yellowing.
We know that the planting of 100,000 ha
of Coconuts, which translates to 8 million
trees would only supply a small percentage in
the Caribbean and local demand for Coconut
and its by products.
The Coconut Board estimates that at a
cost of J$ 150,000 per acre including roads
and planting a Thorn barrier and fencing, an
investor could make a substantial return per
acre of 41% per year on his investment in
US$, if the investment was vertically integrated.
There are two risks that the Coconut
farmer/investor faces of praedial larceny and
lethal yellowing that would have to be mitigated in a very meticulous way. The CIB recommends the Michael Black method of
dealing with the lethal yellowing , which involves weekly and digilent monitoring of the
plantation
If this was coupled with competent
Agribusiness opportunities , such as the export and local supply of Green Coconut water
in tetrapaks, the packing of cold-pressed Coconut oil, the development of nutraceuticals
such as Coconut Oil capsules with Vitamins,
activated carbon from the Coconut shells, and

Coir for use in plant nurseries and for the ,production of space age light weight automobile
parts.
The Coconut Industry Board is currently
has on the planning board for the Caribbeans
largest nursery to fill this demand locally and
in the Caribbean, subject to the agreement of
the Board. If approved and executed, we can
significantly increase the amount of quality
planting material available in the island, so
farmers and investors in Jamaica and the
Caribbean can plan and depend upon the Coconut Industry Board over the next ten years
to consistently supply the highest quality of
seedlings at a very affordable price.
Publisher & Editor:
Patrick Maitland
Consulting Editors:
Vincent Wright, Jairzenho Bailey

Produced & Published by:
Agri Life Foundation Ltd
AMC Complex,
188 Spanish Town Road,
Kingston 11, Jamaica, W.I.
Tel: (876) 923-7471 923-7428
Fax: (876) 923-7428
agriculturalist@gmail.com
www.theagriculturalist.com
Response to Auditor Generals Report on

the Audit of the Cane Expansion Fund
Dear editor:
The Sugar Industry Authority
wishes to reiterate that:
(SIA)
1.The Cane Expansion Fund (CEF) is administered by the Sugar Industry Authority on behalf of the Ministry of Industry,
Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries
(MICAF). It is to be noted that loan funds
from the CEF are disbursed directly to suppliers of good and services and not directly
to borrowers unless they are suppliers
themselves.
2.At no time to the best of our knowledge
was anyone granted a loan from the CEF
without the following:
a)A completed loan application form, included a business plan;
b)Approval by the CEF Loans Committee
recorded in the Minutes of meetings. It is
to be noted that there is disagreement between the Auditor Generals Department
and the CEF as to whether the Minutes of
the CEF Committee constitute the loan approval or other administrative documents
(Approval memo) of the CEF;
c)Progress Reports from Field Officers for
goods and services supplied to the borrower and for which payment is due from
the CEF.
3.It is to be noted that a record of all loans

and grants made by the CEF appear on the
accounting system of the CEF for purposes

of deducting loan repayment from borrowers cane proceeds. These records include all loans to entities which the Auditor
General claimed were not approved.
4.You are requested to note that it was
never the policy of the CEF to deny any applicant a loan or grant based on their place
of employment. Loans were made based
on the applicants access to lands and the
capacity to cultivate cane sustainably.
I am,
GI Callaghan
Chief Executive Office
Sugar Industry Authority
Jamaica to resume
exporting mangoes to UK
amaica is to resume exporting mangoes

to the United Kingdom this year after
voluntarily suspending exports in 2014
when there was a spike in detentions due to
pest contamination.
Speaking in London, England earlier this
week, Dermon Spence, Chief Technical Director in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries,
announced that mango exports to the UK
would resume on a phased basis by the end
of the year.
The forum brought sellers and regulators together for a better understanding of
the UKs phyto-sanitary requirements for
plants and produce crossing its borders.
St. Elizabeth councillor requests

assistance for peanut farmers
he Ministry of Agriculture is being

urged to turn its attention to peanut
farmers in St. Elizabeth.
Leighton Smith, councillor for the Myersville Division in St. Elizabeth, has
said the peanut farmers in his division
need assistance in securing a better market for their crop.
In an interview with RJR News, Mr.
Smith said not only are the farmers unable to find markets, but the price being
DERMON SPENCE
offered is below production cost. He

said, over the last two years, the farmers
have had to battle drought and the high
cost of production.
Councillor Smith said, additionally,
the market is being affected by a flood of
imported peanuts.
He said sometime ago, it was suggested that provisions would have been
made through 4-H clubs, but this has not
materialised.
Sapphire Agriculture blends and

packages NPK compound blends!
apphire Agriculture packages NPK chemical blends. Sapphire Agriculture sells

100% certified organic NPK fertilizer pellets
and granules.
We also package and sell individual Raw
Materials: Urea, DAP, MAP, MOP, Sulphate
of Ammonia, etc.
Our compound NPK blends incorporate
Organic Matter, and any other micronutrients
as per customer requests.
We also blend fertilizer for Private Label
distributors.
We can formulate and create any NPK
blend. We use Urea, DAP, MOP of very good
quality from reputable points of origin.
We can add Certified Organic NPK fertilizer and micronutrients as per the request of
the customer.
100% CERTIFIED
NATURAL PLANT
FERTILIZER FERTIPLUS 4-3-3
ORGANIC PRODUCTS
NPK FERTILIZER+OM
15:15:15, 15:30:15, 12:24:24, 16:6:16,
14:5:24, 25:6:6, 19:5:19, 10:10:10, 8:8:12, 15:15:15, 15:30:15, 12:24:24, 12:12:17, 18:0:18,
12:24:12, 15:5:35, 16:8:24, 18:10:20, etc.
10:5:20, 12:6:8, 16:6:6, 24:10:20, 13:13:21,
21:13:21 14:28:14, 14:5:32, 12:8:18, 11:22:22,
Sapphire NPK blends receive between
16:9:18, 16:8:24, 12:5:15, 12:6:10, 12:8:24,
5% 20% of Organic Mater in the mix.
12:12:17, 12:12:14, 12:24:12, 12:12:24,
15:5:34, 15:4:30, 15:5:20, 20:5:20, 20:20:20,
For example, Sapphires most popular
20:10:10, 10:10:20, 10:20:10, 18:0:18,
17:0:17, 20:0:30 30:0:15, 30:5:15, 4:3:3, 3:2:3, blend 15:15:15 has 400Lb (20%) of 4:3:3
granulated processed Organic Matter derived
7:2:2, etc. and others.
from chicken litter, or a more gentle term; Organic Matter/per 2,000 pound ton.
OTHER AVAILABLE FERTILIZER:
We always blend OM with Urea, DAP,
NUTRITIONALS /LIQUID FERTILIZMOP and small amounts of calcium filler in
ERS
some blends to produce superior High Quality
SURFACTANTS
NPK fertilizer.
UREA, AMMONIUM SULPHATE,
Al fertilizer has traces of Micronutrients:
MKP, TSP, MOP, MAP, DAP
Ca, Cu, Mg, Mn, B, Zn, Fe
CALCIUM CARBONATE
SULFUR 90% / COPPER
POTTING SOIL MIX/COMPOST
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"2/),%2
2!4)/.
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Still the finest agricultural event in Jamaica

Denbigh Agricultural, Industrial and Food Show
BY NORMAN GRANT
President, JAS and Chair,

Denbigh Agricultural, Industrial
and Food Show Committee
he Denbigh Agricultural, Industrial and Food Show is the

signature Family Friendly Agricultural event of the summer of
2016 stage by the Jamaica Agricultural Society in collaboration with
the Ministry of Agriculture and
Fisheries and agencies including
RADA and Jamaica 4 H, featuring
great food and entertainment, absorbing competitions, the exposition of cutting edge technology in
agriculture and industry and the
great atmosphere of fun and celebration that permeates the Denbigh
showground and the township of
May Pen.
The show is now in its 64th
staging, and with upwards of
70,000 patrons at the previous
show, has established itself as the
premier Agricultural show in the
Caribbean and the Western Hemisphere.
This year the promoters, JAS
is working with main sponsors
HIPRO , DIGICEL and other sponsors have designed an even more
exciting three days for patrons, and
are looking to see over 100,000 patrons during the three days. We are
also projecting that the show this
year will generate over $1 billion
for the Jamaican economy and will
have a positive and directly impact
on the economy of May Pen and
Clarendon.
The show begins on July 30, at
9am and closes on August 1, at approximately 10 pm. Between those
times patrons will check their
health at the wellness centre, be
fascinated by the variety of over
250 display booths, including new
ones such as KFC and St Jago
Farm Stores , over 500 livestock to
include, cattle, sheep and goats, the
largest number of entry ever in the
history of the show.
The young people will get critical career information, entertainment and fun at the Youth in
Agriculture hub, where they can
win prizes and scholarships.
In close integration with our
theme: Eat what we grow, grow
what we eat: through climate smart
agriculture, the green hub will once
again be a highlight of Denbigh 64.
Patrons will be exposed to various
ideas and technologies to militate
against, adapt and develop resilience to negative climatic events.
JOAM in association with the Jamaica Diaspora Agriculture Taskforce will be putting on a
spellbinding show for the pleasure
and education of patrons, the Denbigh Symposium.
EXHIBITORS AND SPONSORS:
President, Jamaica Agricultural Society and chairman of the Denbigh Agricultural, Industrial and Food Show Committee Norman Grant (6th l) poses with
exhibitors and sponsors of the show during its official launching ceremony held last month at the Hi Pro Farm Center, White Marl, St. Catherine.
The three days of Denbigh 64

will provide variety in focus for our
patrons. The first day is Youth in
Agriculture day, youths will be the
primary activities during the day.
The competitions section will be
highlighted by a business plan

competition and a youtube channel
competition, with both areas
aligned to agribusiness.
Working with the sub-theme
My Dream..Agripreneur. young
persons will have the opportunity

to entire a variety of competitions
and experience various exhibitions,
from CASE, Knox Community
College, NCU, Ebony Park Academy and many schools and institu-
tions. The day will be highlighted

by the presence of the Minister of
Industry, commerce, Agriculture
and Fisheries. The finale is the
coronation of the National Farm
Queen for 2016.
.......... Messages..........
The finest of agricultural traditions in Jamaica
congratulate the Jamaica Agricultural

Society (JAS) on the sixty-fourth staging of the Denbigh Agricultural, Industrial
and Food Show.
I also extend a special welcome to patrons and in particular overseas visitors
who are joining us for this marquee event
on the JAS annual calendar.
The Denbigh Agricultural, Industrial
and Food Show celebrates the finest of
agricultural traditions in Jamaica. Its staging is eagerly anticipated by farmers and
agro-producers as, for a few days, Denbigh places the spotlight on the value of
local products and the contribution of agriculture-based communities to national development.
The event also offers a viable market

for exhibitors and provides farmers and
agro-processors with an opportunity to explore new agro-business initiatives that can
generate additional wealth for Jamaica, and
in particular rural communities.
Agriculture is the bedrock of the Jamaican economy, with the sector boasting
some of the best food products in the
world.
It is for this reason that further efforts
must be made to advance its transformation into an industry that meets local demands, fuels the export sector and
facilitates research and scientific development.
Still, there is no denying that Jamaicans have an appetite for imported

products.
I therefore commend the Jamaica
Agricultural Society for introducing the
Eat Jamaican campaign more than a
decade ago.
The campaign is an affirmation of our
local produce and our farmers are to be
commended for the high quality produce
which they continue to supply.
I extend my best wishes for a successful staging of Denbigh 2016 and urge all
Jamaicans to Grow What We EatEat
What We Grow and contribute to the creation of a world-class agriculture sector in
Jamaica.
In support of national food security
The Denbigh Agricultural Show remains

one of the most worthwhile initiatives of the
Jamaica Agricultural Society to showcase
the quality of our locally grown produce and
celebrate our farmers for their invaluable
contributions to national development.
Now in its 64th year, the show continues to grow and diversify to meet the needs
of farmers and the general populace as well
as highlight the individual and national
achievements in agriculture and its related
sectors.
I commend the strides that the Jamaica
Agricultural Society has made in the areas
of national food security and reducing the
food import bill and extend heartfelt congratulations to their dedicated team that has
By Patrick Allen
Governor General- Jamaica
successfully organized the years staging of

the agricultural and industrial show.
Despite the many challenges, agriculture remains one of the most resilient and
dynamic sectors of the Jamaican economy
and one of the greatest contributors to economic growth and job creation.
We therefore thank the JAS and our
hardworking farmers for their tenacity and
urge you to remain resolute in supporting
economic growth and productivity in Jamaica.
As you host this years staging of the
Denbigh Agricultural and Industrial show, I
hope that the shows achievement will continue to exceed expectations and wish you
continued success for years to come.
A great commitment to Jamaicas farmers

I
extend congratulations to the Jamaica
Agricultural Society (JAS) for the staging of the 64th Denbigh, Agricultural, Industrial & Food Show.
The JAS has demonstrated great commitment to Jamaicas farmers, industrial
supply merchants and householders in its
diligent and meticulous planning and hosting of this show over the past 64 years.
The Denbigh Show is now an established event on the national calendar of activities and is among the preferred
experiences to be enjoyed around the time
of the annual Emancipation and Independence celebrations.
Each year Denbigh is keenly anticipated by a range of persons and organisations operating in the agricultural and
industrial sectors as well as by the wider
Jamaican public.
By Andrew Michael Holness

Prime Minister
By Portia Simpson Miller

Leader of the Opposition
Despite the many challenges that they face,

Jamaicas farmers especially, have show
great resilience, fortitude and positive out-
look in producing, displaying and selling

the very best of their products at Denbigh.
The show is also an excellent opportunity for the purveyors of various important services critical for farming, food
preparation, processing and many other
types of small business, to engage their
clients and meet prospective clients.
Agriculture continues to be vital for
Jamaicas long term growth and for the
success and development of the Jamaican
nation and people. The Denbigh Show provides another prime opportunity to remind
all stakeholders and the general population
of the how crucial the sector remains for
our country.
I wish the JAS, farmers, other exhibitors, all participants and patrons, a successful show for 2016. Again,
congratulations and best wishes!
FARM TIP
Keep animals in good health. An animal in
pain and discomfort can react aggressively.
Treat farm animals with respect. If understand their behavior, youll be ready for their actions.
DENBIGH
HISTORY
he Denbigh Agricultural and Industrial

Show is a hallmark event that has been
embedded in the unique culture and the
broad fabrics of the Jamaican people from
as early as 1953 to present.
Situated on twenty nine hectares of
picturesque lands at May Pen, Clarendon,
the Denbigh Show comes to life for three
days of pulsating activities offering wholesome entertainment to over sixty thousand
patrons that have been attending the event
on an annual basis.
Spirits have been lifted and enthusiasm built for the unforgettable experience
of the grand Exposition that has been
renowned for promoting the farmers livelihood, i.e. the finest quality agricultural
produce from varied commodity groups,
its value added products, industrial and
technological equipment from main stakeholders affiliated within the agricultural
sector.
As is traditionally expected, each day
of the show is especially dedicated to a
particular Government Official who addresses the audience or patrons.
Many of these invited guests who
have made valid contributions to the
Shows experience include: Governor of
Puerto Rico in 1955, the former Governor
Generals Sir Clifford Campbell, Sir
Florizel Glasspole, Sir Howard Cooke,
Professer Sir Kenneth Hall and the present
Governor General Sir Patrick Allen.
Heads of Governments who also attended the show were Sir Alexander Bustamante, Rt. Hon. Norman Manley, Rt.
Hon. Hugh Shearer, Sir Donald Sangster,
Rt. Hon. Michael Manley, Rt. Hon. Edward Seaga, The Most. Hon. P.J Patterson,
Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller and
Most Hon. Bruce Golding have all supported and assisted in the promotion of this
historical event.
.......... Messages..........
A stellar event on the annual national calendar
t is my sincere pleasure to join

with all of Jamaica in celebrating the 64th Anniversary of the
Denbigh Agricultural, Industrial
and Food Show. This is scheduled
to be held July 30-August 1, 2016
and thus climaxes, as it does, with
the nations commemoration of
Emancipation, while heralding
our Independence Day celebrations on August 6.
Denbigh, unequivocally, represents a fine Jamaican tradition
of iconic proportions. As a stellar
event on the annual national calendar, Denbigh celebrates agriculture and showcases the
achievements of our farmers and
stakeholders in the agricultural
and affiliated sectors. It is also a
family entertainment event, catering to a wide cross-section of Jamaicans.
Denbigh is also a critical
forum for taking stock of the status of agriculture in relation to its
contribution to the national economy and for identifying innovative approaches to growing and
expanding the sector.
This year, against the background of the imperative to expand the countrys agro-industrial
thrust, Denbigh must also help to
make the clarion call that agricul-
chain. A full-fledged agro-industry requires expansion into valueadded production and the time
has come in Jamaica for us to
make that critical transition into
increased value-added production.
It is, therefore, in the spirit of
a committed resolve to expand
our agro-industrial thrust and
Karl Samuda, CD, MP

Minister of Industry,
Commerce, Agriculture
and Fisheries
ture is at the nexus of the linkages

that hold the critical sectors of industry and commerce together
and that the deepening of these
synergies are critical to building
Jamaicas pathway to economic
prosperity.
The expansion of the agroindustrial sector is critical to the
future of Jamaica. History will
show that wealth creation and the
prosperity of nations have been
achieved through the development of industries by moving
agricultural output up the value
with the recognition that the fortunes of our country are deeply
rooted in the opportunities in the
agricultural industry, that I hail
the farmers, entrepreneurs and all
industry stakeholders who are
partnering to make Denbigh 64 a
landmark event.
At the same time, and in accordance with the theme of this
years show, let us use the occasion of Denbigh to remind ourselves that Jamaica must, indeed,
continue to pursue the goals of
import substitution by growing
what we eat and eating what we
grow, and this, in the context of
practising climate smart agriculture.
National Farm Queen PetaGaye Stewart (c) poses with

Tanyalee Paul (Ms. Clarendon) and Jody-Ann Bailey
(Ms. St. Thomas) during the
2015 Farm Queen competition held at Denbigh Showgrounds, May Pen,
Clarendon.
Boy and Girl of the Year 2016:
4-H Boy and Girl of the Year 2016 Patrick Morris of Port Antonio High
and Shevone Smith, of Montego Bay High, pose with their trophies
shortly after being accorded the prestigious titles at the Jamaica 4-H
Clubs National Achievement Expo which took place at the Denbigh
Agricultural Showground on April 29. In addition to their trophies and
prizes of tablets and smart phones from SINGER and FLOW respectively, they were also awarded, courtesy of the Ministry of Industry,
Commerce, Agriculture & Fisheries, (MICAF),One Million Dollars
(J$1M) each to assist with their education and professional pursuits.
The announcement was made by MICAF Minister, Hon. Karl Samuda.
The monetary prize will be awarded to future 4-H Boys & Girls of the
Year. Shevone aspires to become an Entrepreneur, while Patrick who
has already created his own herbicide will be pursuing studies in Agriculture at the College of Agriculture, Science & Education.
Organic Farming
Pays Big at Denbigh
CLARENDON, Jamaica:
armers in Jamaica are called to
compete in the first Champion
Organic/Sustainable Farmer Competition at the 64th Annual Denbigh
Agricultural, Industry and Food
Show in July 2016 with prizes totaling $130,000.
The Jamaica Diaspora Agriculture Task Force (JDAT) is sponsoring the first Champion
Organic/Sustainable Farmer Competition at Denbigh in partnership
with JAS, the Jamaica Agricultural
Society, JOAM, the Jamaica Organic Agriculture Movement, and
SOURCE Farm Ecovillage.
The competition is intended to
promote organic and sustainable
agriculture practices by showcasing
farmers who are already utilizing
organic farming practices. The organic farming competition will
raise awareness and increase the
number of farmers interested in organic farming.
The demand for organic produce is growing at an accelerated
pace worldwide. The organic produce market in the U.S. is $30+B
and globally its $80B, said Kimone Gooden, Jamaica Diaspora
Agriculture Task Force Board
Member. Organic produce fetches
a premium price compared to conventional produce. The high demand and low supply reduces
competition, not to mention the
positive benefits for our health and

the environment. Jamaican farmers have a huge opportunity to capitalize on this demand.
Farmers who complete a free
application by June 30, 2016 and
who meet the entry requirements
will be entered into the competition. Their farm will be judged on
the organic and sustainable farming
systems that are in place. Judges
will look at seven categories when
reviewing the farms including
chemical free soil management,
water management, diversity, nutrient management, pest management,
postharvest management, and
measures to avoid contamination.
The farmer who has the most
sustainable farming system will receive $15,000 or an international
organic certification valued around
$100,000. The second prize is
$10,000 or a local organic certification. The third place prize is
$5,000 or training towards a local
organic certification.
Candidates should submit the
application, which is available for
download online, by mail or by
email. Applications should be submitted to the JAS Office, the closest RADA Office or emailed to,
ChampionOrganicFarmer@gmail.c
om. Further questions can be directed to JOAM at 564-3770 (Digicel) or 788-6713 (Flow).
Empowering our
youth through the
Idle Hands, Idle
Lands Initiative
By Peta-Gaye R. Stewart
National Farm Queen 2015
-----------------------------------amaica has many under utilized human
and natural resources that if used appropriately can stimulate growth and development in our country.
As an Agricultural Ambassador and one
who has great respect and appreciation for
this noble profession, I believe that Jamaicas
future is dependent on how much we value
Agriculture.
Young people especially those living in
rural communities represent the future of Jamaicas agricultural sector.
Unfortunately, many do not foresee a
prosperous future for themselves in this field;
they have a stereotyped vision that it is archaic, unprofitable and that it is for those
who are uneducated; I wish to change that.
Even after my reign as National Farm
Queen ends I still deem it part of my mandate to empower our youth through agriculture. I am on a quest to implement the Idle
Hands, Idle Lands Initiative an initiative
which aims to empower rural unattached
youth by utilizing the available land resources around them for agricultural pursuits,
transforming them into agri-preneurs as
they contribute to their personal growth and
the development of their communities.
The initiative not only seek to change
the negative perception that youth have of
PETA-GAYE R. STEWART
TENDING TO HER CALF
the sector but it will reduce youth unemployment, enhance social protection, promote wealth creation and rural agricultural
development. Youth will be exposed to agricultural workshops and training, and linked
with (idle) lands donated and/or leased by individuals/ organizations to engage them in
agricultural production. The project fosters
the ideals of the three Es: Environment,
Education, and Employment.
There are vast amounts of unused/ unoccupied lands in Jamaica. The project seeks
to utilize these idle hands and lands for personal, communal and agricultural development, while preserving the environment,
providing employment, and promoting agricultural education.
Our youth are full of hope and energy and
should be empowered to turn the tide to create a new rural reality as they are very creative in exploring new opportunities.
Jamaica has an aging farming population, yet we have over 2.7 million people to
feed daily. This justifies the need to integrate
more youth in the agricultural sector. We
must therefore continue to Grow what we
eat and eat what we grow because if we
have no farms, we have no food and if we
have no food we have no future. Youth, our
generation must lead the charge to grow and
harvest a sustainable agricultural sector; we
must do it now because Jamaicas future depends on it!
PETA-GAYE R. STEWART
NATIONAL FARM QUEEN 2015
Meet our farm queen contestants 2016
Mining Minister tours greenhouses in Noranda mining areas

M
inister of Transport and Mining Hon.

Mike Henry has said he is impressed with
the greenhouse agricultural farms being developed on Noranda Bauxites mining lands in St.
Ann and has commended the farmers on their
productivity and utilization of the new greenhouse technology.
The Minister was speaking on Thursday
June 2 while on tour of two greenhouse clusters
at Watt Town and Tobolski totaling a combined
40 houses.
The greenhouses have been built by the Jamaica Social Investment Fund(JSIF) and the Jamaica Bauxite Institute(JBI), in partnership
with Noranda Bauxite, as part of a project to encourage farmers to maximize their agricultural
production by investing in greenhouse technology on mined out bauxite lands.
JBIs Executive Director Parris LyewAyee said that the partnership programme
which commenced in 2015 envisions 160
greenhouses across the industry, with 60 already bult in Norandas mining areas at Watt
Town, Tobolski and Nine Miles, and the project also underway at areas in Manchester, St.
Elizabeth, and St. Catherine.
He said that the two greenhouse clusters at
Watt Town and Tobolski have already produced
over 45,000 lbs of sweet pepper and tomatoes
from a combined 60 days of reaping.
Norandas General Manager Antoine Liddell pointed out that in addition to the 60 St.
Ann houses Noranda has spearheaded another
50 houses at Burnt Ground and Water Valley
since it started the pilot programme in 2009,
while donating five houses to schools in the
parish for use as part of their curriculum.
Noranda General Manager Antoine Liddell, (left, forefront) makes a point to Mining Minister Mike Henry,(right) on tour of the Noranda/JBI/JSIF Greenhouse projects in St. Ann on June 2. Others behind the Minister, l-r, Vincent Thompson , (JSIF), Omar Sweeney,
(JSIF), Parris Lyew-Ayee, (JBI).
Agricultural Science important

to stimulating interest in STEM
Youth including our 4-H Clubites

should not look down on career choices
such as farming, catering, welding, mechanics and catering, he said.
Imploring the youngsters, he noted
that careers such as these were necessary
DR. RONALD BLAKE
Executive Director, Jamaica 4-H Clubs
xecutive Director of the Jamaica 4-H

Clubs Dr. Ronald Blake has issued a
call to all interest groups to recognize the
importance of agriculture as part of the
campaign to stimulate learners interest in
the concept of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, (STEM).
Speaking at a recent 4-H Clubs Camp
Careers Day, he highlighted the role that
STEM areas played in global transformation. There is a critical need for them to
be embraced in all spheres of Jamaicas
Development Agenda, he said.
He added that Agriculture can be one
of the most effective strategies to captivate
the attention of the youth to STEM. All
STEM components are disaggregates of
agriculture as a discipline and it is very
easy for our learners to identify same, he
said.
Blake also commended the Ministry
of Education Youth and Information for the
rolling out of new initiatives for vocational
education as well as the recent endorsement of the 4-H programmes in schools.
to fix the local youth unemployment problem.

The Jamaica 4-H Clubs, he said which
currently boasts a membership of 105,291
registered clubites, has a captive group
being trained to choose careers that will
fast track the realisation of Vision 2030.

Blake has been Executive Director of
the Jamaica 4-H Clubs since 2013.
Send your opinions to

Rural Agricultural Development Authority

Hope Gardens, Kingston 6, Jamaica, WI.
Tel: 876-977-1158-64 Fax: 876-970-4077
www.rada.gov.jm
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Small farmers being

sidelined in legal
ganja industry
espite assurances from the Cannabis

Licensing Authority (CLA), there continues to be anxiety in the ganja farming
community about the possibility of small
farmers being sidelined by bigger operators.
The CLA has signed off on regulations
that will result in the development of a legal
ganja industry in Jamaica for medicinal,
therapeutic and scientific purposes. The regulations will make provisions governing
how licenses are granted, and the requirements.
Verald Vassell, Cannabis Licensing Authority Board member, acknowledged that
the regulations have been made with provisions to protect small ganja farmers. He argued, however, that these attempts do not go
far enough. He pointed to the cost of fencing
and other processes required to get the farm
operable, which will leave the small farmer
at a disadvantage.
Cindy Lightbourne, Chairperson of the
Board of the Cannabis Licensing Authority
asserted that provisions in the regulations
will protect small farmers, by making it less
expensive to obtain licenses. She added that
small farmers will be charged less for their
licenses.
Lightbourne added that a public education campaign will begin soon about the regulations and to inform farmers about how
they will be affected, "so that they themselves are integrally involved in understanding the process and so that we can aid
them in the process as much as possible."
MILK EXPANSION:
Representatives of the Jamaica Dairy Development Board, led by newly appointed Chairman, Mr. Donald Elvey (centre), and including Chief
Executive Officer, Mr. Hugh Graham (left) and Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Byron Lawrence (second left), view packaged milk in
the cold room of the milk processing plant of the Jamaica Beverages Limited at Bog Walk, St. Catherine while on a recent visit. The plant,
which producers the Dairy Farmers brand of milk, is in expansion mode resulting from increased milk production by dairy farmers assisted
by the Dairy Board. Conducting the tour was Jamaica Beverages' Quality Assurance Manager Mr. Abdull Solam (2nd r) assisted by Mr.
Rohan McKenzie, Quality Assurance Supervisor (5th r).
- Contributed Photo
Cane roads to be rehabilitated, says Samuda
Approximately 80 kilometres of cane roads

have been earmarked for rehabilitation. Agriculture Minister Karl Samuda says provisions have been made under the Sugar
Transformation Programme.
Samuda made the announcement on
Tuesday during the closing of the 2016/2017
Sectoral Debate in Parliament.

According to Samuda, Cabinet has
granted approval for just under $800 million
to be spent on 80 kilometres of cane roads.
These include roads in the Worthy Park
sugar
dependent
area
of
St.
Catherine/Clarendon. A breakdown reveals
that close to $64 million has been earmarked

for cane roads in those sectors. In the Monymusk sugar dependent region in Clarendon,
approximately $71 million has been earmarked for five sections of Roads in
Rhymesbury, and the Oscar Gordon - Garvey Maceo via Parnassus Boundary.
=,.$
217+(*2
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7KHPRVWHIIHFWLYHGHHWUHSHOOHQW
8OWLPDWH%XJ5HSHOOHQW
OUR MISSION
To promote, foster, encourage and institute measures

for the well-being of the banana and plantain
growers of Jamaica and to protect their interest
Registered Office
10 South Avenue, Kingston 4
Telephone: (876) 922-5497
Fax: (876) 967-3160
Website: www.aibga.info
E-Mail: aibga@cwjamaica.com
PRODUCTS INFORMATION
Hi-PRO to revitalize Peanut Industry in Jamaica
he stage is set for Jamaicas peanut

production to increase following the
introduction of an intervention programme
by Hi-Pro, a division of the Jamaica Broilers Group.
As part of its mandate to assist Jamaican farmers towards profitability and
sustainability, Hi-Pro has been working
with peanut farmers to revitalize the industry through provision of technical support, soil sampling tests, and education on
best practices in peanut production.
Jamaican farmers have been experiencing low yields in peanut production for
the past three to four years, resulting in a
25-30% decrease in yields, based on a
study conducted by RADA. The study
identified disease and pest infestation, poor
quality nuts, soil nutrient deficiencies, and
adverse climatic conditions as common
problems plaguing the peanut farming
community, said Dagreon Burton, Technical Agronomist at Hi-Pro Farm Supplies.
Hi-Pros aim is to assist peanut farmers with increasing their yields by up to
70% per acre, Tricia Jackson, Operations
Manager at Hi-Pro Farm Supplies noted,
and we have the product portfolio to make
this happen.
We have seen great results since HiPro introduced the peanut resuscitation
programme, and are working with our
farmers on increasing local production to
a point where manufacturers can reduce
their importation of raw peanuts, Mrs.
Jackson said.
On July 21, Hi-Pro hosted their first
peanut seminar in Lacovia, St. Elizabeth
where they introduced the Hi-Pro Peanut
programme to 175 farmers, following a
number of highly successful demonstrations.
Of the nearly 2,000 registered farmers
in St. Elizabeth and Westmoreland, 80%
are engaged in peanut production. Since
February, 2016, Hi-Pro has been conducting a pilot programme on the farm of
peanut grower, Valerie Jones in Seven Corners, St. Elizabeth.
Since the demonstration on my farm,
I am getting more pods per plant, more
bushels per acre, and healthier plants overall. My plants are so leafy that weeds have
no space to grow, declared Ms. Jones.
When Jones started her peanut farm,
she was reaping 40 bushels per acre, with
low density planting of seven bushels per
acre. Since incorporating the Hi-Pro
Peanut programme, she has seen an increase in yield to 90 bushels per acre at low
density planting, with the possibility of
adding more plants per acre.
Among the products in Hi-Pros

peanut programme are BASF Chemicals
Regnum and Opera, which offer the
Agcelence effect- changing the overall
development of the plant, improving plant
health, and increasing yields per acre.
Agronomist Burton explained that the
products reduce ethylene production in the
crop, giving it a younger and healthier appearance, while reducing stress affecting
the plants.
Hi-Pro will have these and other products on display at the Hi-Pro Booth the
Denbigh Industrial & Agricultural Show at
the Denbigh Showground, July 30 to August 1, 2016. We encourage our Farmers
to visit the Hi-Pro booth, learn about our
crop programs, and get the full benefit of
our technical expertise, said Jackson. Be
sure to come and Grow with Hi-Pro!
Agriculture Ministry to Restart

Farmers Market
By Chris Patterson
The Ministry of Industry, Commerce,
Agriculture and Fisheries will be restarting its farmers market initiative at venues across the island, to address the glut
of some produce.
Mr. Hutchinson said the markets
will provide an opportunity for consumers to buy produce at reduced prices,
while allowing farmers to get rid of surplus crops.
Mr. Hutchinson also addressed matters
such as praedial larceny and the Agro
Economic Zone that will be established
in Spring Plain, Clarendon.
The Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries will be
restarting its farmers market initiative at
venues across the island, to address the
glut of some produce.
This was disclosed by Minister
without Portfolio in the Ministry, J.C.
Hutchinson, at the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) St.
Thomas Open Day, held at the Rudolf
Elder Park, Morant Bay, on June 24.
Right now we have a glut of quite a
number of items, especially bananas,
the Minister said.
Hchinson said the markets will provide an opportunity for consumers to buy
produce at reduced prices, while allowing farmers to get rid of surplus crops.
TROPICAL FARMERS ALMANAC 2017

Order your copies of
CALL US 923-7471 or editor@theagriculturalist.com
HEALTH & NUTRITION
NutriCare
By
Gloria Bent, MS, RD, CDN - Nutritionist

Questions &Comments: gloria.bent@gmail.com
Homemade Cough Drops

That Relieve Sniffling,
Coughing and Sneezing
By Geary Andrew
cough is a natural reflex that protects
lungs. This helps prevent infections.
It is uncomfortable all around, both physically and otherwise. Prolonged coughing
can cause chest pain, exhaustion and lightheadedness.
Homemade cough syrups are best and
effective way to cure cough than any conventional cough syrups, which often result
into side effects and can be high in sugar!
The powerful ingredients in this remedy are common everyday items: Yet they
work together to create a potent remedy
for cold symptoms. This super immune
boosting homemade cough drops that will
help shorten the duration and alleviate the
symptoms of a sniffling, coughing and
sneezing.
Homemade Natural
Cough Drops Recipe
Ingredients:
cup coconut oil, room temperature
cup raw local honey
1 tsp organic cinnamon (optional)
Instructions:
Put coconut oil into a mixer bowl and beat
it until its whipped.
Add honey and continue whipping mixture
until the oil and honey are blended.
Add cinnamon (if desired).
Scoop mixture into small ice cube trays.
Freeze for 20 minutes or until the cough
drops are hard.
Remove cough drops from ice cube
tray and store in an airtight container in
your refrigerator.
How Ingredients of
This Recipe Work
Raw Honey
The honey is soothing, tasty, and coats
and works as a natural cough suppressant.
Raw honey is packed with nutrients and
enzymes and has powerful anti-viral and
antibacterial properties. In clinical studies,
honey has shown to be just as effective in
alleviating coughs as over the conventional cough medicine.
Honey is also known to help reduce
allergies. It is a rich demulcent, with a high
viscosity and stickiness that useful in coating and soothing those irritated mucous
membranes.
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is one of the richest
sources of Lauric Acid. Lauric Acid is a
saturated fat found in breast milk and is
packed with immunity-building properties.
It is also rich in antioxidants, which
has antibacterial and antiviral properties.
Coconut oil can be used to help prevent
colds by boosting the immune system.
Cinnamon
Cinnamon has been used traditional
medicine to help reduce cold and cough
symptoms. It contains anti-inflammatory,
anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and anti-fungal
properties.
Like ginger, cinnamon is a warming
herb that helps with circulation, congestion, and boosting immunities which
makes it a great addition to any cold or
cough syrup.
Sources: www.naturalnews.com
TROPICAL FARMERS ALMANAC 2017

Order your copies of
CALL US: 923-7471 editor@theagriculturalist.com
Moisture Max
reduces watering costs
ropi-Gro Moisture Max is a

liquid blend of organic compounds which can be used during
planting, transplanting and cultivation of vegetable and fruit
crops, and lawns.
Applied to the root zone at
any time during a plants life, one
application lasts up to three
months!
Moisture Max reduces
labour and other costs incurred
from constant watering by extending the time between required
watering,
while
protecting
seedlings, plants and lawns from
adverse conditions, such as
drought stress. For nurseries,
Moisture Max is an excellent
drench, stimulating root development and preserving seedlings
during transportation and reducing transplant stress.
Moisture Max creates a
film around the roots of the plant,
which acts like a water magnet
to continuously attract, store, and
make soil moisture readily available to the root zone.
Water loss in soils and evaporation from soil are reduced!
By providing proper moisture
management, Moisture Max
helps crops by increasing plant
The farmer had reduced irrigation costs, through savings on

mechanical pumping, on-farm
water transportation, labour (for
daily watering), and electricity
expenses.
Dr. Kathy Dalip

Product Development Manager
AG-CHEM PLANT LIMITED
survival rates, maximizing crop

production, extending flower life,
optimizing fertilizer uptake, and
increasing transplant survival.
Moisture Max can be used to
reduce watering schedules while
maintaining proper moisture levels during plant growth!
AG-CHEM results from Honeydew Melon crop, St Elizabeth
Our trials showed that, even
though control plants received
100% more water than Moisture
Max-treated plants, there was
an increased size and yield of
honeydew melons from the Moisture Max-treated plants, on average 16% larger and 55%
heavier than fruit sampled from
control plots.
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The heavier weight meant

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Lets Growyour profits
with Moisture Max!

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Ag Gets New Boards

VOL. 26 NO. 4 AUGUST 2016

lmost five months since the Jamaica

Dr. St Aubyn Bartlett

Dr. Charles Douglas

ences, Northern Caribbean University, Dr

CEO of the Coffee Board Christopher

2 THE AGRICULTURALIST AUGUST 2016

With coffee at record prices, this industry is poised for

AUGUST 2016 THE AGRICULTURALIST 3

Hutchinson launches guidelines for organic products

4 THE AGRICULTURALIST AUGUST 2016

The organic standard was developed

ally with sales estimated at US$104b in

farmers, whose farms are not certified,

AUGUST 2016 THE AGRICULTURALIST 5

6 THE AGRICULTURALIST AUGUST 2016

Dr. Charles Douglas

Executive Director, Jamaica Productivity Centre

r. Douglas is the Executive Director of

Look out for

FARMERS ALMANAC 2017

Thompson is acting CEO, RADA

ollowing the departure of Lenworth Fulton as Chief Executive Officer - Rural

Major Kates chairs CASE board

etired Commissioned Officer (Major) in

Major George Kates

The Greenhouse revolution Eat what we grow..Grow what we eat

Agriculture Sector 2030 Plan is not working!

2030 Plan has failed to bring about any

AUGUST 2016 THE AGRICULTURALIST 7

Publisher -The Agriculturalist

sector, there are already much disunity

THE CARIBBEAN SHORTAGE OF COCONUTS:

An opportunity for Jamaica

refer to an article written by Christopher

unappealing to rural youth.

However the Coconut Industry Board is

activated carbon from the Coconut shells, and

Publisher & Editor:

Vincent Wright, Jairzenho Bailey

Agri Life Foundation Ltd

8 THE AGRICULTURALIST AUGUST 2016

Response to Auditor Generals Report on

3.It is to be noted that a record of all loans

accounting system of the CEF for purposes

amaica is to resume exporting mangoes

St. Elizabeth councillor requests

he Ministry of Agriculture is being

offered is below production cost. He

AUGUST 2016 THE AGRICULTURALIST 9

Sapphire Agriculture blends and

apphire Agriculture packages NPK chemical blends. Sapphire Agriculture sells

10 THE AGRICULTURALIST AUGUST 2016

AUGUST 2016 THE AGRICULTURALIST 11

12 THE AGRICULTURALIST AUGUST 2016

Still the finest agricultural event in Jamaica

President, JAS and Chair,

he Denbigh Agricultural, Industrial and Food Show is the

EXHIBITORS AND SPONSORS:

The three days of Denbigh 64

highlighted by a business plan

persons will have the opportunity

tions. The day will be highlighted