The Agriculturalist Newspaper - August 2015

VOL. 25 NO.
4 AUGUST 2015
FREE COPY
WWW.THEAGRICULTURALIST.COM
THE MINISTER RAPS WITH THE QUEENS:
Minister of Agriculture, Labour and Social Security, Hon Derrick Kellier (front centre) and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Donovan Stanberry (back centre) share a moment with the contestants in the 2015 National farm Queens Competition at the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries on
Wednesday, July 29. Minister Kellier congratulated the girls on their involvement in the competition and for their interest in agriculture and encouraged them to continue to pursue this interest with zeal and enthusiasm. The National Farm Queen Competition is organized annually by the Jamaica Agricultural Society and the contestants are chosen based on their knowledge of agriculture. They are then judged in several categories, including the knowledge of farm practices, agriculture,
etiquette, a written technical paper relating to questions from current agricultural issues, and a talent piece. Coronation of the National Farm Queen will be held at
the Denbigh Agricultural, Industrial and Food Show on Friday, July 31.Turn to pages 10-15 for Denbigh feature.
Ag Boards Yield Mixed Results
By Patrick Maitland, Editor-The Agriculturalist

everal governments operated agricultural companies and organizations have been recording improved financial results, including profit/surplus, while others continue to flaunt the laws with outdated and incomplete financial reports.
Banana Board recorded

a surplus of $77.4M
The governments chief agent for research and extension, the Banana Board,
recorded a surplus of $77.4 million for the
year ending Dec. 31, 2013. This represented
an increase of $59 million or 320 percent
over the $18.4 million recorded in the previ-
ous years. The Board achieved this surplus

from total income of $105.5 million, including government subvention of $80.3 million,
rental $12.8 million and grant of $9.4 million.
Salaries and administrative expenses was
$65.6 million, or 62 percent of total income.
Some $322,980 was paid out to five directors.
JAS net assets grew by 20%
The Jamaica Agricultural Societys

(JAS) net assets grew by 20 percent over the
last 12 years, to value $443 million at the end
of the entitys 2014/15 financial year on
March 31. This figure, according to JAS
President, Senator Norman Grant, represents
an average annual growth of approximately
1.7 percent on the asset base, which stood at

$370 million in 2003. It is also $8 million or
two per cent higher than the $435 million
recorded in 2014.
Additionally, he said total year-on-year
investments improved from $32.3 million in
2012, to $34.2 million last year.
Continued on page 7
2 THE AGRICULTURALIST AUGUST 2015
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AUGUST 2015 THE AGRICULTURALIST 3
We salute and support

our farmers
EDITORIAL PAGE
Water is also life for farmers
amaica is known as the land of wood

and water because the islands resources consist of every active limestone
and alluvial aquifers. It is also estimated
that the island has more than 100 important rivers that provide up to 85 percent
of the islands water needs in both urban
and rural communities.
Rainfall has been another major
source for water. Today, however, the island is drier than normal in some areas. A
comparison of the old 30-year-mean
(1951-80) with the 1971-2000 mean by
the Meteorological Service has shown
that the islands rainfall patterns and values have not changed significantly for
the current 30-year (1971-2000) period.
The changes could be described as
wetter-dry periods and drier-wet periods.
This has however not affected the overall rainfall pattern for the island. In fact,
the rainfall data for 2014 was 183 mm
and 2013 at 205mm compared with the
202 mm 30-year normal average.
Focal
Point
by
PATRICK MAITLAND
Publisher -The Agriculturalist

editor@theagriculturalist.com
However, the forecast from the Meteorological Service indicates that below
normal rainfall is likely to continue
across the Caribbean as a result of the
pending El Nio conditions and the drier
than normal atmospheric conditions.
On the other hand, the Ministry of
Water and Climate Change also suggested that the change scenarios indicate a decrease in rainfall of 0.52% by
2030 and 18.4% by 2080.
The so-called climate change phenomenal has been negatively affecting

Jamaica. Nevertheless, it would appear
that we are still getting reasonable rainfall and the underground supplies are still
available.
The unreliable water supplies are
also affecting agricultural production and
contributing to the spread of fires on several farms.
Ag Boards Yield Mixed Results
However, if we are serious about

food production, we must get our act together and better manage our water resources.
Despite its indebtedness, including
$223 million owed to the Jamaica Public Services Company (JPS) and management challenges over the years, the
National Irrigation Commission Limited
(NIC) must be empowered to lead the
process of efficiently harvesting and distributing water to farmers.
Operating since May 1987, the NIC
is only supplying irrigated water to an estimated 36,000 hectares or less than 10
percent of the farmland.
Water is arguably the most critical
factor in enabling Jamaicas food supplies.
NIC must forge workable partnership with agricultural stakeholders such
as irrigation equipment suppliers and energy generation companies.
Water is also life for farmers.
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.
Continued from page 1
Coconut Boardgross
deficit was $68.5 million
The Coconut Industry Boards gross

deficit was $68.5 million at the end of the financial year December 2014. However, the
board recorded accumulated surplus of $149
million at the end period. Total income was
$92.6 million, including $37.3 million from
interest and investment income, while expenses peaked at $161.1 million, including a
deficit of $20.2 million on the operations of
the seed gardens and nurseries. The Coconut
Boards accumulated assets stood at $2.9 billion, including shares in Seprod Limited valued at $2 billion.
National Irrigation Commission

incurred deficit of $180.3M
The National Irrigation Commission incurred a deficit of $180.3 million in the financial year 2013/2014 compared with a
profit of $40.8 million in the previous year.
The operating revenue from the core business
area of water sales, drainage charges and government subsidies for the financial year decreased by 2.2 percent or $21.4 million when
compared with the previous year. The decrease resulted primarily from a reduction in
government subvention of $27.8 million
which was offset by a marginal increase in
the sale of water revenue by $7 million. The
commissions operating cost also increased
by 23.8 percent or $182 million to $946.1
million from $764.1 million in the previous
year.
Cane Farmers Association

- net surplus of $14.68M
The All-Island Jamaica Cane Farmers
Association recorded a net surplus of $14.68
million for the year ended September 30,

2012. This represented a 65 percent increase
over the previous years figure which was restated at $8.89 million. The operations were
financed primarily from a grant of $41 million from the Government of Jamaica and the
fees collected from the factories on behalf of
cane farmers in the amount of $15.1 million.
The report was among several other reports submitted to parliament under the signature of Agriculture Minister Derrick
Kellier and dated April 23, 2015. However,
DGS Chartered Accountants and Business
Advisors noted that there was no actuarial
valuation done to determine information pension scheme as the present value of the defined benefits. Additionally, due to the lack
of supporting documentation, they were unable to substantiate the pension contribution
payable for the defined contribution scheme
as of Sept, 30, 2012.
Cocoa Board incurred

a loss of $62.3M
The Cocoa Industry Board incurred a
loss of $62.3 million during the period ending Sept. 30, 2013. However, this represented
an improvement in the financial performance
of the Board from a loss of $96.5 million in
the previous year, according to auditors Ian
& Company Accountants.
Agro-Invest makes
a profit of $4.86M
The investment arm of the Ministry of

Agriculture, Agro-Invest Corporation, ended
the 2013-2014 fiscal years with a profit of
$4.86 million. This represents a 138 percent
increase in net profit in comparison to the
prior years deficit (2013, $12.96 million).
The rise may be attributed primarily to
increases in the allocation of government
grants of $72.9 million and subvention of

$59.3 million as well as reduction in provision for impairment $16.2 million. Despite
the heavy injection, the corporation operated
at deficit of $54.44 million resulting from a
223 percent rise in expenditure on agricultural development projects.
SIA accounts were not supplied
The Sugar Industry Authority (SIA) accounts were not supplied. However, according to PricewaterhouseCoopers, its auditors
were unable to obtain sufficient appropriate
evidence about the completeness and accuracy of administrative expenses totally
$13.79 million allocated to the Ministry of
Agriculture and Fisheries Cane Expansion
Fund. The report supplied by the Minister
was dated April 6, 2015 and covered the period ending October 31, 2011.
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
editor@theagriculturalist.com
www.theagriculturalist.com
Syngenta warns
of 'slowing growth'
in GM seeds sector
yngenta warned of a slowdown in the

market for genetically modified crops
as the ag giant, being pursued by biotech
seeds champion Monsanto, unveiled better-than-expected profits and hailed its
agrichemicals portfolio.
The Swiss-based group, for which
Monsanto has unveiled a $45bn takeover
offer, said that the market for GM crops
was "slowing", having reached "saturation
levels" in markets where the technology is
permitted, and still being restricted in the
likes of Europe, Japan and Russia.
Already, well over 90% or canola,
corn, cotton and soybeans grown in the
US is from biotech seed.
In South America, the technology has
penetrated more than 80% of the Argentine and Brazilian corn markets, and in
corn has a 93% share in Brazil and 100%
share in Argentina.
However, the group said that its own
revenues from GM seed traits would more
than double over the next five years, to approaching $1bn, fuelled by China's approval of its MIR 162 corn seed, which
offers particular protection against insect
pests, and has been licensed to rivals including Monsanto.
MIR 162 was the seed at the centre of
China's rejection of a series of cargos of
US corn last year, provoking losses for
merchants and a series of lawsuits lodged
against Syngenta, before the technology
was approved by Beijing officials.
obituaries
MOA Videographer died
ideographer at the Ministry of Agriculture and fisheries and of Joyce Road, Golden Spring, St. Andrew.
Glenroy Kirkland "GLEN" Bucknor died on Died on July 4,
2015.
He is survived by children Ebonique and Destiny;
father Watson; brothers Robin, Garnet and Rodney; sisters
Karine and Stivette, other relatives, co-workers and friends.
Aaron Parke, agriculturalist

& attorney-at-law
gronomist, international business development/management consultant, attorney-at-Law, former permanent secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries
and chairman of the Agro Investment Corporation, Aaron
Parke on Thursday, June 11, 2015 while in Florida for treatment in his battle with cancer.
-------------------------------------Send your obituaries report to: editor@theagriculturalist.com
EDUCATION
EBONY PARK/CASE MOU:
In photo (l-r) Winston Jones, the College of Agriculture, Science and Education
(CASE) International Liaison Officer; Dave Sergeon, HEART Trust NTA, Ebony
Park; Shim-Hue-Deputy Manager, Ebony Park; Robert Green Director/Principal
Ebony Park, Dian Medley, CASE Vice President, CASE and Vincent Myres, Head
of Section, Ebony Park. The HEART Trust NTA, Ebony Park and CASE signed a
Memorandum of Understand (MOU) to ensure greater collaboration between the
two leading agricultural training institutions at the college in Portland recently.
Some farmers accused of price

gouging in wake of dry spell
The Ministry of Agriculture is accusing

some farmers of unfairly jacking up the
prices of their agricultural produce under
the guise that they are grappling with the
effects of the dry spell.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry,
Donovan Stanbury, says there is no justifiable reason for the doubling of farm gate
prices. The magnitude of increase is not in
keeping with the inputs and he promises
that the buying public will be saturated
with information on where to make purchases.
The Ministry is looking at strategies
to help protect consumers from price gouging. The Ministry will be working with the
Consumer Affairs Commission to provide
information on farm gate prices.
Consideration is being given to placing the information on the Ministry's website. On Monday our sister station, TVJ,
reported that farmers in St. Elizabeth have
warned that further increases in the price
of ground produce are coming as they
have been battered by the prolonged dry
spell.
In the meantime, Mr. Stanbury says
given the current situation consumers may
have to make tough decisions.
Get the message to the farmers

Advertise with us....
923-7471
No need for panic

as dry spell continues
he Ministry of Agriculture says, despite the impact of the dry spell on

several farming communities, there is no
need to panic regarding the supply of agricultural produce.
The drought has reduced production
levels as some farmers do not have access
to irrigation and the cost of purchasing
water is a deterrent.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry,
Donovan Stanbury, says the dry spell has
not been impacting all parishes with the
same measure of severity. In fact some
of the western parishes are having good
rainfall. It is not a situation where there is
a complete shortage of food items.
Stanbury also said Ministry has not
seen an increase in requests for permits to
import agricultural produce.
---------------------------------
Another three-year
for Senator grant
overnment Senator Norman W. Grant

has been re-elected unopposed president of the JAS for another three yearterm at the 120th Annual General Meeting
of the Jamaica Agricultural Society held
on Tuesday July 8, 2015 at the Denbigh
Show Ground, May Pen Clarendon.
Incumbent 1st vice-president, Donald
Berry and 2nd vice-president, Royston
Johnson were also re-elected, while Hugh
Johnson was selected a direct member representative to the JAS over thirty-member
strong board of directors.
-------------------------
Agriculture Ministry
Endorses H2K
Organic Stimulants
By Rochelle Williams
he Ministry of Agriculture is endorsing the use of the Health 2000 (H2K)
AGRO line of organic stimulants in Jamaica in an effort to boost soil health and
crop productivity.
State Minister in the Ministry, Luther
Buchanan said the use of the products is in
keeping with strategies by the Ministry to
introduce innovative sustainable farming
methods to ensure the viability of the sector, thereby safeguarding the countrys
food supply. The all-natural bio stimulants,
which will be distributed locally by Health
Brands Jamaica Limited, have proven to
improve the yield and quality of crops including fruits, vegetables, and small
grains.
We will produce greater quantities,
which will feed more of our people, we
will eat what we grow and we will be able
to manufacture more value-added products
and spend less on imports, he said.
Buchanan was addressing the recent
launch of Health 2000 (H2K) AGRO Jamaica at the Terra Nova Hotel in Kingston.
The all-natural bio stimulants, which will
be distributed locally by Health Brands Jamaica Limited, have proven to improve
the yield and quality of crops including
fruits, vegetables, and small grains.
NEWS
Refined Sugar
Cess To Fund
Farming
The proposed cess on imported refined sugar

forms part of the administrations undertaking to restructure the regime governing the
importation of the commodity, with the proceeds earmarked to fund the sectors transformation.
This was stated by Minister of Agriculture, Labour and Social Security, Hon. Derrick Kellier, at a ground breaking ceremony
for the repairing of 14 kilometres of cane
roads from Elim to Braes River in St. Elizabeth, on July 9.
The Minister had emphasized that the
Government would not allow imported refined sugar, meant for the manufacturing sector, to continue to be leaked to the retail trade,
and undermine raw sugar production and rob
the Government of much needed revenue.
The proposed cess on imported refined
sugar forms part of the administrations undertaking to restructure the regime governing the importation of the commodity, with
the proceeds earmarked to fund the sectors
transformation.
This was stated by Minister of Agriculture, Labour and Social Security, Derrick
Kellier, at a ground breaking ceremony for
the repairing of 14 kilometres of cane roads
from Elim to Braes River in St. Elizabeth, on
July 9.
In his contribution to the 2015/16 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives
on April 21, the Minister had emphasized that
the Government would not allow imported
refined sugar, meant for the manufacturing
sector, to continue to be leaked to the retail
trade, and undermine raw sugar production
and rob the Government of much needed revenue.
The Minister said then that the imposition of the cess is also intended to level the
playing field within the sector, noting that all
other sugar consumed in Jamaica is subject
to a similar tax.
A ROAD REHABILITATION PROJECT:
-MOA PHOTO:
Minister of Agriculture, Labour and Social Security, Derrick Kellier (centre, seated), is assisted with the signing of contract document by Milton Hodelin, project engineer, Sugar
Transformation Unit, at the contract signing and groundbreaking ceremony for a road rehabilitation project held on July 9 at Braes River in St. Elizabeth while (from left, seated)
Member of Parliament for North East St. Elizabeth, Raymond Pryce, signs as witness. At
right is Newton Barnes, contractor at N.F. Barnes Construction & Equipment Limited. Standing, from left, are Jess Ors Baguena, Head of Cooperation at the Delegation of the European Union to Jamaica and Keleen Young-Grandison, head of the Sugar Transformation
Unit.
RADARevolutionizing Agriculture
NEWS
RADA 25TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
ing in Greenhouse Production and facilitating technologies in agriculture to ensure effectiveness and perpetuate innovations to
over 50,000 trained farmers island-wide.
Based on the need to encourage new entrants in agricultural business ventures, as
one of the main strategic pillars of the organization, special emphasis is given to incorporate women and youth in our
programmes and
In terms of organizational realignment,
Lenworth Fulton,
CEO, RADA
he Rural Agricultural Development authority (RADA) this year celebrates its

milestone achievement of twenty five years
of unwavering service delivery to the farmers of Jamaica.
Established under the Rural Agricultural
Development Authority Act of 1990, and replacing the Land Authorities Act, RADA
began its operation on August 1, 1990.
As the chief extension agency of the
Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries we are
honoured to continue this thrust in offering
technical advisory services in the effort to
improve production and productivity within
the agricultural sector.
With the motto of People, Land and
Opportunity we have sought to chart the
course of an efficient, modern, relevant and
sustainable extension service that has been
ameliorating the quality of life of rural farm
families.
We wish to highlight and thank the pioneers at the helm of the organizations existence to include the visionary Hon. Horace
Clarke, Dr. Garnett Brown, who ably served
as RADAs first Executive Chairman and
subsequently as Executive Director, Dr.
Fenton Dyer as Chairman, and other distinguished leaders who have paved the way
and laid the foundation for this noble organizations growth and development.
Our local regional and international
partners have also provided their unstinting
support to us over the years and for this we
are truly grateful.
We have indeed solidified our efforts in
providing notable and sustainable initiatives
to our farmers to include: Production and
Productivity Programmes, Integrated Pest
Management, Social Services / Home Economics, Marketing and Livestock along
with the National Farmers Registration
Programme, ABIS among many others.
The ABIS database one of our flagship
programmes is a comprehensive means of
providing demographics, crop production
data and other forms of reporting mechanisms, market intelligence and information
on planning and forecasting.
In making farmers more knowledgeable
and capable of managing their farms and
improving the quality of their output we
have been making direct strides in introducing concepts such as Farmer Field
Schools, Climate Smart Agriculture, train-
RADA has not only sought to augment its

core extension staff from sixty to ninety
eight Extension Officers but have also been
encouraging continuous recertification and
training of its extension staff through gender sensitization programmes mainstreaming gender in extension delivery, providing
advanced farmer field school train the
trainer programmes among several others.
Much has been done by means of fulfilling several programmes projects and ini-
tiatives facilitated by both local and international agencies and much more is needed
to be done to ensure our work is impactful
in providing technical knowledge transfer
for another twenty five years and beyond.
The farmers have a great role to play in
making the sector viable and we encourage
them to share the information garnered and
work together in a structured manner to attain a unified goal of increasing productivity.
Denbigh 2015 to Attract 120,000 Patrons
By Judith Hunter JIS

resident of the Jamaica Agricultural
Society (JAS), Senator Norman Grant,
addresses a JIS Think Tank on July 1,
where he unveiled plans for Denbigh 2015.
The 52-acre Denbigh Showground in
Clarendon will be abuzz with activities
from July 31 to August 2, with the staging
of the 63rd Denbigh Agricultural, Industrial and Food Show.
The annual three-day event is organised by the Jamaica Agricultural Society
(JAS).
Over 120,000 persons are expected to
attend Denbigh this year. The 52-acre Denbigh Showground in Clarendon will be
abuzz with activities from July 31 to August 2, with the staging of the 63rd Denbigh Agricultural, Industrial and Food
Show.
The annual three-day event is organised by the Jamaica Agricultural Society
(JAS). Over 120,000 persons are expected
to attend Denbigh this year.
The highly anticipated event, considered to be the premier agro-industrial show
in Jamaica and the English-speaking
Caribbean, will be held under the theme:
Grow what you eatEat what you grow
Making Agriculture Sustainable.
DENBIGH LAUNCH:
(l-r) JAS 1st vice-president, Donald Berry, President of the JAS, Norman Grant,
Jamaica Broilers CEO, Chris Levy; and Minister of Agriculture, Labour and Social Security, Derrick Kellier at the recent launch of Denbigh 2015.
Addressing a JIS Think Tank on

Wednesday, July 1, President of the JAS,
Senator Norman Grant, said that this years
event forms part of the JAS yearlong
120th anniversary celebrations from May
2015 to May 2016.
We will highlight how the JAS has

empowered our farmers and contribute to
the building of a strong agricultural sector
over last 120 years, he said.
According to Senator Grant the show

continues to attract patrons, who are not
only interested in the festivities but in actually investing in agriculture.
As a result, this year, the JAS will undertake an initiative to dispense information on investing in agriculture, and
provide on-the-spot consulting sessions
with persons, who have shown more than
mere cursory interest in investing in agriindustrial ventures.
The main objectives of the Denbigh
Agricultural, Industrial and Food Show
are: to promote the agricultural sector; display the best foods produced in Jamaica;
and highlight the importance of agriculture
to food security, business development and
nation building.
Governor-General, His Excellency the
Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen, is expected to
attend the July 31 opening.
Minister of Agriculture, Labour and
Social Security, Derrick Kellier, will be in
attendance on August 1; while Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller
is scheduled to attend on August 2.
Gates will open daily at 8:00 a.m. each
day and admission is $800 for adults.
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
A dynamic agricultural event

A
s the longest, most dynamic agricultural
event spanning 63 years, the Denbigh
Agricultural, Industrial and Food Show is
unquestionably one of the countrys premier
events that continues to earn the love and
support of thousands of Jamaicans, especially during the Emancipation and Independence season.
I commend the Jamaica Agricultural
Society (JAS) for remaining committed to
ensuring that the Show continues to be a national success year after year. The numerous
benefits and support that our local farmers
have gained at this annual event have certainly boosted the agricultural sector and I
wholeheartedly thank the JAS for its significant contribution in this regard.
Agriculture is deeply embedded in Jamaicas history and culture. In fact, our
foundation is built on the hard work of our
forefathers who toiled the land and helped
our country to achieve significant economic
gains through farming. Today, agriculture remains a significant sector that supports our
countrys growth and development agenda. I
am particularly pleased to note that up to
March of this year, domestic agriculture production registered growth of 3.4 percent despite significant challenges to the sector.
Additionally, through the Governments
Agro-Parks initiative, we are making headway in developing a sustainable agriculture
industry that brings truth to the mantra
Portia Simpson Miller, ON, MP

Prime Minister
Grow What We Eat, Eat What We Grow.

We are certainly reaping the fruits of our
labour with the Agro-Parks which were established contributing to a reduction in the
food import bill last year. Certainly, the investments are paying off and the initiatives
to buttress and transform the agricultural
sector are showing promise.
This outstanding event would not have
been possible without the tremendous consistent efforts of the JAS, Ministry of Agriculture and the various sponsors who
organise the engaging activities and exceptional displays we associate with the Denbigh brand.
My very best wishes for a successful
staging of Denbigh 2015.
A vision for a better Jamaica
he agenda has been established. Jamaica

is on a serious mission to grow our economy and to increase the well-being and prosperity of our citizens. Making agriculture
sustainable is an important part of the strategy to achieve these goals.
As we pursue our national vision for a
better Jamaica, it is always ting to identify
and celebrate those things and traditions
which help to de ne who we are as a people.
Our agricultural institutions and achievements, among which the Annual Denbigh
Agricultural Show is to be counted, are undoubtedly an important part of our national
identity.
Against that background, I am very
pleased to hail and commend the farmers of
Jamaica who, under the leadership of the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS), have
brought us all together again to celebrate the
Jamaican agricultural sector. I wish to especially note the staunch resilience of our approximately 230,000 small farmers, who
continue to brave the myriad challenges of
this sector, including extended dry spells,
crop pests and diseases, and forest fires, and
continue to e sure the production of food
crops.
And, in addition, I wish to acknowledge
the valuable contribution of our agroprocessers, exporters, suppliers, marketers
and, financiers, along the value chain of agricultural production. This is year we mark special milestones the 120th Anniversary of the
JAS; 75th Anniversary of the 4-H Clubs, 65th
Anniversary of the Coffee Industry Board and
the 25th Anniversary of the Rural Agricultural
Development Authority (RADA).
As we celebrate, I implore all Jamaicans
to increase your appreciation for the stalwart
Derrick Kellier
Agriculture Minister
work of these sector organisations by eating

more of what we grow.
Denbigh is truly a marketplace for ideas
and innovations as farmers and other industry stakeholders meet face to face, interact
and sow new seeds for future growth and development of the sector.
I note the product improvement plans for
Denbigh and the inauguration of new components, including the new food court, named in
honour of the late former Minister, the Hon.
Roger Clarke. In this regard I also note the
livestock auction and the Agriculture App
Competition.
As we look to the future, let us all continue to work to make Jamaican agriculture
sustainable. On behalf of the Ministry of
Agriculture and Fisheries, it gives me great
pleasure to congratulate the farmers, the Jamaica Agricultural Society and all the participants in, this, the 63rd Anniversary of the
Denbigh Agricultural, Industrial and Food
Show.
Meet The Farm Queens
Meet The Farm Queens
Denbigh features and attractions
Children and Family Hub

The Children and Family Hub for this years staging of
the Denbigh Show will focus primarily on teaching children about agriculture in a fun way, through games, rides
and agriculture based activities. Children, at a young age,
are impressionable and it is an opportunity to sow the
seeds of agriculture in their minds, while making it fun
enough to capture and keep their attention. In this way,
the future of agriculture can be protected.
Tourism and Linkage Hub
The Denbigh Secretariat will re-introduce the concept of
the Tourism and Linkage Hub for Denbigh 2014 and the
Jamaica Tourist Board will collaborate with us in this
initiative. The Tourism and Linkage Hub is an integral
facet of the Denbigh Show as it is intended to highlight
and promote the importance of collaboration within the
sectors to showcase our cuisine culture and to inform the
public of its benefits to national development. The
Tourism and Linkage Hub will offer participants within
the Hotel and other Industries the opportunity to:
-Become an integral part of the Buyer's Exchange
and Linkage Forum
-Host discussions through seminars focusing on the
importance of the advancement of tourism, the country's
main source of foreign exchange and its link with the
agricultural sector
-Showcase the tourism sector's utilization of agricultural products through sampling of foods and beverages
-Provide an entertainment outlet for tourists to become exposed to another aspect of Jamaica's culture and
creativity
-As is traditionally expected, each day of the show
is especially dedicated to a particular Government Official who addresses the audience or patrons.
-The Tourism and Linkage Hub will become the hub

of interrelated partnership between the tourism and agricultural sectors.
Health & Wellness Hub

One of the focuses of the Health and Wellness Hub
is to provide healthcare services that are both educational
and beneficial for the patrons well being. In recognizing
the important elements of maintaining complete physical, mental, and social lifestyle the health and wellness
circle becomes an integral aspect of the Denbigh Show
to provide screening, essential tests and health checks to
interested persons attending the event.
The Health and Wellness Hub will therefore give
the Health and Wellness Provider the opportunity to: To
strengthen business relations with existing clientle and
to create awareness for the latest holistic and organic
well-being products and services.
THE PRIDE OF DENBIGH SHOW:
Outgoing National Farm Queen Tishauna Mullings

poses with the trophy she won in 2014. Mullings is
an Ambassador for the Governor General's I Believe Initiative who engages herself in youth empowerment activities continuously. She was also
nominated for the Prime Minister's Youth Award in
the area of Youth Work in 2013. She is able to express her passion for the socioeconomic improvement of her community working as an Agriculture
Value Chain Administrator at the St. Thomas Cooperative Credit Union. She assists in providing access to finance for rural farmers for agricultural
production. She enjoys planting onions, melons and
string beans in her backyard garden for relaxation.
WE O
W
OFFER
R SOL
LUTIO
ONS
NOT J
JUST PRO
ODUCT
O
DUCT
TS
T
S
HERBIC
CIDES | INSEC
CTICIDES | MIT
TICIDES | FUN
NGICIDES | MO
OLLUSCICIDES
S
Phone: 757-00
022 | Cell: 37
70-3898 | 2E Ahenheim Road
R
(11)
Contribution to nation building
Patrick Allen
Governor-General
his years staging of the Denbigh Agricultural, Industrial and Food Show falls
within the Jamaica Agricultural Societys celebration of their 120 years of contribution to
nation building. It is also taking place at a
time of severe drought and bush fires that
have impacted farmers in every parish.
Against this background we can agree
that the single greatest item on display at
Denbigh, this year, is the courage and determination of the JAS and our hard working
farmers across Jamaica. They are the epitome
of the persistence and resilience of the Jamaican people, of which we are very proud.
The sub-theme for Denbigh 2015 Making Agriculture Sustainable supports the tra-
jectory on which the JAS embarked several

years ago with the Grow what we eatEat
what we grow and Eat Jamaican campaigns.
It is also in keeping with the thrust for
agricultural development to promote our food
security and contribute to the growth of the
Jamaican economy. Agriculture should therefore be sustainable in both quality and consistency of output, driven by the application
of modern technologies that will enable its effectiveness and mitigate the harmful effects
of natural and man-made hazards.
To this end, I urge you the JAS and all
our farmers, to continue to forge creative
linkages that will cement agriculture as a primary pillar of growth in our economy.
I particularly commend the work that
has been accomplished under the youth in
agriculture programme and hope that more of
our young people will be motivated to engage
in this sector.
It is my hope that this years show will
be successful not only in terms of the exhibits
and support from the wider populace, but also
because of the resulting recommitment of all
stakeholders to making agriculture sustainable.
A sense of pride and admiration
Andrew Holness
Leader of The Opposition
t is with a sense of pride and admiration for

your contribution to the development of
Jamaicas agricultural sector as a key part of
the productive base of our economy that I extend heartiest congratulations to the Jamaica
Agricultural Society (JAS), as we mark the
63rd staging of the Denbigh Agricultural, Industrial and Food show. Denbigh 2015
promises to be as exciting, fulfilling and rewarding for farmers, exhibitors, and patrons
alike.
The organizing committee must be recognized for their successful planning over the
years of this important national event.
There is no doubt that the JASs oversight and active support over the years has
helped farmers and other Denbigh Agricultural Show stakeholders navigate the vicissitudes of a dynamic and challenging sector.
Your vigilance and oversight these past 63
years have not only amounted to critical support but have inured to the establishment of a
brand and product the Denbigh Show,
which all Jamaica can be proud of.
This annual agricultural exhibition
showcases Jamaicas finest agricultural offerings and continues to be an irresistible and
alluring attraction for Jamaican farmers and
their admirers throughout the length and
breadth of our beautiful island. The thou-
sands of people who have made it a must

see on their calendars each year is manifest
testimony to this fact.
There can be no doubt that Agriculture
plays a fundamental role in the growth of an
economy. The Jamaican economy is no different and although it has diminished somewhat agriculture remains a significant and
weighty contributor to the development of
the Jamaican economy.
The Denbigh History
ince 1895, the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS) has been at the forefront of the
promotion of agriculture and has mounted
several shows island wide.
The first show staged by the Society was
the Kendal Show, which was held in Kendal,
Clarendon and since then, District and Parish
Shows have been held in every parish
throughout the island with the main attractions being livestock, agricultural and horticultural exhibits.
The 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.
RESEARCHERS NEWS
Bark Beetle - a new pest affecting coconut
By Dr. Wayne Myrie,

Plant Pathologist/Molecular Biologist
Coconut Industry Board
he Ambrosia bark beetle (Xyleborus

ferrugineus Fabricius and Xyleborus
volvulus Fabricius), known as an insect pest
of wood, was found in the trunk of a coconut tree in Hayes, Corn Piece in Clarendon, and in Ramble, Hanover.
The beetle was also found in the dry
nuts and jellies respectively. They weakened coconut trees are most susceptible to
infestation.
The adults are generally brown to black
and small in size, measuring 2-3 mm. They
are approximately 1.9 times as long as wide
and have an oblong shape. When viewed
from above, the head is concealed by the
prothorax.
The life cycle is simple and involves
the following stages: Adult, Egg, Larvae
and Pupae.
The adult flies and bores holes into the
trees. Eggs are laid in tunnels and the resulting larvae will bore outwards from the
tunnel where they are born. Both the larvae
and adults bore into the stems of the coconut
tree.
The beetle is not eating the trunk, dry
nuts or jellies for survival. Experts say it is
using these as media for the cultivation of
the fungal symbionts. In the first case found
in Hayes, Clarendon, the beetle seems to be
living in nutritional symbiosis with Fusarium sp.
The adult Ambrosia bark beetle

The following are general recom- Actions taken to sensitized the farming
mendations for prevention and control:
community about bark beetle
Keeping coconut palms healthy can min- Brochures about the bark beetle were disimize infestations
tributed at the Coconut.
Severe dry conditions increase the risk of
attack by bark beetle
Pheromone traps can be used to monitor
adult activity and disrupt the mating and
egg-laying of the beetle
Ultraviolet black light traps may be used
to monitor adult insects, which are drawn
to the light and die in the bucket
Infested nuts should be removed and
burned
Malathion can be used to spray the trunk
and crown of the infested coconut trees
Do not remove infested nuts from the field
and send elsewhere; this will spread the inPowdery material at
festation to other farms.
the base of the trunk
Look our
for
FARMERS
ALMANAC
2016
9237471
What are Aphids?
What Are Aphids?

phids seem to find their way into
every garden. They are small, softbodied insects that can survive in almost
any zone. Aphids multiply quickly, so try
to control them before reproduction starts.
Many generations can occur in one season.
The good news is that they tend to move
rather slowly and are relatively easy to
control.
Identifying Aphids
Aphids are tiny (about 1/32 to 1/8), and
often invisible to the naked eye. Various
species can appear white, black, brown,
gray, yellow, light green, or even pink!
Some may have a waxy or woolly coating.
They have pear-shaped bodies with long
antennae; the nymphs look similar to
adults. Most species have two short tubes
(called cornicles) projecting from their
hind end. Adults are usually wingless, but
most species can develop a winged form
when populations become crowded, so that
when food quality suffers, the insects can
travel to other plants, reproduce, and start
a new colony. Aphids usually feed in large
groups, although you might occasionally
see them singly or in small numbers.
Aphid Damage
Nymphs and adults feed on plant juices, attacking leaves, stems, buds, flowers, fruit,
and/or roots, depending on species. Most
especially like succulent or new growth.
Aphid
Some, such as the green peach aphid, feed

on a variety of plants, while others, such as
the rosy apple aphid, focus on one or just a
few plant hosts.
Look for misshapen, curling, stunted,
or yellow leaves. Be sure to check the undersides of leaves, aphids love to hide
there.
If the leaves or stems are covered with
a sticky substance, that is a sign that aphids
may have been sipping sap. The honeydew,
a sugary liquid produced by the insects as
waste, can attract other insects, such as
ants, which gather the substance for food.
When aphids feed on trees, their honeydew can drop onto cars, outdoor furniture, driveways, etc.
The honeydew can sometimes develop
a fungal growth called sooty mold, causing
branches and leaves to appear black.
Aphids feeding on flowers or fruit can
cause them to become distorted.
Some aphid species cause galls to form on
roots or leaves.
Aphids may transmit viruses to certain
plants, and also attract other insects that
prey on them.
How to Get Rid of Aphids

Try spraying cold water on the leaves,
sometimes all aphids need is a cool blast to
dislodge them.
Use commercially available biological
controls or by spraying with insecticidal
soap or horticultural oil.
You can often get rid of aphids by
wiping or spraying the leaves of the plant
with a mild solution of water and a few
drops of dishwashing detergent such as
Ivory.
Stir together 1 quart of water, 1 tsp of
liquid dish soap and a pinch of cayenne
pepper. Do not dilute before spraying on
plants.
In a spray bottle combine 2 parts rubbing alcohol, 5 parts water, and 1 tablespoon liquid soap.
Organic controls include alcohol spray
(isopropyl alcohol, straight or diluted),
soapy emulsion (can be mixed w/alcohol),
horticultural oil (read the directions) and
pyrethrum spray. Soapy water/alcohol
should be reapplied every 2-3 days for 2
weeks.
You can also purchase beneficial insects, such as lady beetles and parasitic
wasps, which will feed on aphids. These
are usually ordered via mailcheck the Internet for labs.
Bring beneficial insects to your garden
by adding plants that attract them. For example, nasturtiums are a good plant to rid
your garden of aphids.
Farmers
Almanac
2016
book your
copy
9237471
Why The Netherlands Just Banned

Monsantos Glyphosate-Based Herbicides
he Netherlands has just become the latest country, following Russia, Mexico,
and many others, to say no to Monsanto.
The sale and use of glyphosate-based herbicides (the most commonly used herbicides in the world) has just been banned for
non-commercial use in the country, effective later this year.
This means that people will no longer
be able to spray RoundUp on their lawns
and gardens and will instead have to find
another (hopefully more natural) means of
pest control.
This is definitely a step in the right direction. The move comes as no surprise,
considering that the number of countries
around the world who are choosing to ban
this product is growing at an exponential
rate.
Bans and restrictions are being implemented due to the fact that glyphosate (the
main ingredient in RoundUp) has been directly linked to several major health issues,
including: birth defects, nervous system
damage, Alzheimers, Parkinsons, various
forms of cancer, and kidney failure. (Sri
Lanka recently cited deadly kidney disease
as their reason for banning his product. You
can read more about that and access the research here.) Indeed, The World Health Organization recently acknowledged the fact
that glyphosate can cause cancer.
There are also multiple environmental
concerns associated with the use of this
chemical. Whats even more disturbing is
the fact that studies have shown that
RoundUp herbicide is over 100 times more
toxic than regulators claim. For example, a
new study published in the journal Biomedical Research International shows that
Roundup herbicide is 125 times more toxic
than its active ingredient, glyphosate, studied in isolation.
The eye opening abstract reads as follows: Pesticides are used throughout the
world as mixtures called formulations.
They contain adjuvants, which are often
kept confidential and are called inerts by
the manufacturing companies, plus a declared active principle, which is usually
tested alone. We tested the toxicity of 9
pesticides, comparing active principles and
their formulations, on three human cell
lines.
Glyphosate, isoproturon, fluroxypyr,
pirimicarb, imidacloprid, acetamiprid,
tebuconazole, epoxiconazole, and prochloraz constitute, respectively, the active principles of 3 major herbicides, 3 insecticides,
and 3 fungicides. Despite its relatively benign reputation, Roundup was among the
most toxic herbicides and insecticides
tested.
Most importantly, 8 formulations out
of 9 were up to one thousand times more
toxic than their active principles. Our results challenge the relevance of the acceptable daily intake for pesticides because this
norm is calculated from the toxicity of the
active principle alone.
Chronic tests on pesticides may not reflect relevant environmental exposures if

only one ingredient of these mixtures is
tested alone.
Equally disturbing is the fact that
RoundUp has been found in a very high
percentage of air and rainfall test samples.
Significant concentrations of it have also
been found in the urine of people across
Europe.
One recent study published in the Journal

of Environmental & Analytical Toxicology
has now proven that animals and humans
who consume GMO foods those that are
loaded with glyphosate chemicals, the
main ingredient in Monsantos RoundUp
have extremely high levels of glyphosate
in their urine.
Its also noteworthy to mention that
there are Wikileaks documents showing
how the United States planned to retaliate

and cause pain on countries who were refusing GMOs.
Its troubling to think that so many
children are within proximity of and playing on lawns that have been sprayed with
this stuff. Cancer is not a mystery, it is not
a stroke of bad luck, its time for the world
to wake up and realize what research has
been confirming for years.
Integrated pest management
Published by RADA
NTEGRATED PEST management
(IPM) is a safer approach to pest control.
It uses a mix of methods to reduce crop
damage by pests, helpful creatures to the
ecosystem and the environment, i.e., soil,
water and air.
Pesticides are to be used as a last resort. Problems with pesticides include:
More serious pest problems
Danger to health
Export market problems
Less farm profits
Polluted soil, water, air.
How does IPM work?
In IPM, the farmer uses a greater
knowledge of nature, soil, water, climate,
creatures and plants to make it easy for
crops to flourish but hard for pests.
Harmful pesticides are to be used only
when needed.
This brings better crops, less pest
problems and man and the environment
stay healthier.
Cultural practices
Normal field work is used to make
field conditions best for the crop and worst
for pests.
Plant at a place and time for early,
strong crop growth and to avoid heavy pest
attack.
Prepare land early and properly, to destroy soil pests and allow proper root
growth.
Use pest-free planting material.

Protect plants in the nursery (using
screens) from insects which carry disease,
e.g., viruses.
Check plants at least weekly for any
problems.
Space, prune and stake plants to reduce overcrowding and disease build-up.
Reap on time to escape pest damage
Reap with care to reduce bruises and
rots.
Keep some weeds that beneficials feed
on around fields.
How to prevent Ginger Rhizome rot, Pt II

The following tips were provided by the
Public Relations and Communications Department of the Rural Agriculture Development Authority. www.rada.gov.jm.
The most important measure for prevention of disease is the use of healthy
planting material.
Fields should have good drainage or
raised beds to ensure that rhizomes are not
exposed to prolonged wetness.
Do not plant ginger in the same field if
rhizome rot was detected during the previous crop.
Know how to identify healthy plants
They should be robust, have healthy roots.
The rhizomes should be well filled, without shrinkage and spots. Rhizome 'eyes'
should not be watery.
The field must be inspected regularly for
early detection and removal of plants displaying symptoms of leaf spot and wilt.
Mark healthy, disease-free plants in the
field when the crop is 6-8 months old and
still green.
For the planting of the next crop, select the
best rhizomes, free from pest and disease
from the marked plants.
Do not rely only on visual selection of rhizomes after harvesting. Disease can present in seed pieces without any external
symptoms.
Handle planting material carefully to avoid

damage.
Examine the stored rhizomes at monthly
intervals and remove the rhizomes that
show signs of rotting. This will help to
keep the inoculum level low.
It is advisable to plant smaller pieces of
rhizome.
Treatment of badly diseased rhizomes is
not effective.
Foliar application of approved fungicides
might be necessary to prevent the spread
of diseases from plant to plant when conditions are highly favourable for disease
development.
Jamaican ginger is consumed locally as
well as exported to different external markets. Therefore, farmers should become
aware of pesticide residues and use only
approved chemicals to ensure global foodsafety standards and the integrity of Jamaican ginger. This information can be
obtained from the extension officer or directly from the Export Division, Ministry
of Agriculture and Fisheries.
Biological control
In nature many creatures kill pests.
Some of these natural enemies or beneficials are very small and hard to see; farmers often mistake others for pests. Improper
pesticide use helps pests to proliferate by
killing their natural enemies. It also helps
pests become resistant to pesticides.
The three types of beneficials are parasitoids, predators and pathogens.
Sometimes, beneficials kill pests even
better than pesticides, e.g., a ladybeetle and
wasp used in the eastern Caribbean to control pink mealybug. Countries thereby save
money and protect health and the environment.
Parasitoids (parasites) are usually
smaller than the pest. They search for
pests, eggs or young and lay eggs on or inside them. The young parasite feeds and
How to prevent
Ginger Rhizome rot
grows inside the pest, killing it.

Predators are usually larger than the
pest. Each predator catches and eats many
pest eggs, young and adults. Examples: Ladybeetles, young lacewing flies, spiders,
some mites, assassin bugs, ground beetles,
common wasps, some bird bats.
Pathogens are germs, fungi, viruses
and bacteria that make pests sick.
They are spread by wind, water, soil
and on plant parts/pests.
Small farmers in other countries make
spray from diseased insects and use it to
kill pests.
Some plants resist pests naturally. Scientists also develop varieties that bear well,
even when attacked.
Bio-rationals
Insects are drawn towards substances
called pheromones. Pheromones are used
in traps to catch pests, reduce breeding,
prevent pest build-up and check fields for
pest. Biological pesticides kill pests and
protect beneficials. Fungus and virus
germs are also used in this way.
Botanical insecticides are made from
plants.
IPM rules for pesticide use:
1. First know what problem is affecting the
crop.
2. If a pesticide is needed, use the safest
one to man, beneficials and the environment that will work. For example, most
bio-rationals and some of the new products

on the market.
3. Read and follow the label.
4. Measure the right amount and mix properly.
5. Where possible, use poison baits instead
of sprays.
6. If insects/mites/slugs are only in small
sections of a field, treat only those sections.
7. If spraying, use the right sprayer and
nozzle for the job.
8. Use a hollow cone for insecticides,
fungicides.
9. Use a flood jet or fan jet for herbicides.
10. As far as possible, spray insecticides in
the late evenings.
11. Never throw pesticides/containers in or
near streams or rivers
12. Do not reap produce before the period
written on the label, the pre-harvest interval.
13. Lock pesticides safely away from children and other unauthorised persons.
14. Avoid direct contact with pesticides.
Important benefits of IPM
Healthier people; Less crop damage; Bigger better harvests; More exports; More
farm profits; Cleaner environment
Information submitted by the RADA Communications Department and prepared by the division of Technology Training and Technical
Information RADA. For further information call
1-888-ASK-RADA
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Agri Life Foundation has been established as a non-profit

organization to foster and encourage farmers to become
more self-sufficient and competitive in a free market economy.
One of the main ways that the Foundation will achieve these
goals is through collaboration, professional support and advisory
from experts in the field.
Such collaboration will provide a platform where individuals from

academia, business, government, and the farming community
can share research-based information and technology
regarding environmentally sound management
and profitable agricultural production practices.
For further information:
Patrick Maitland
Executive Chairman, Agri Life Foundation
188 Spanish Town Road, Kingston 11, Jamaica WI
Tel: 923-7471; 923-7428 patland2000@gmail.com
www.agrilifefoundation.org
Revitalization of the Dairy Sector
The Dairy Sector Revitalization Programme has given critical support to the industry since its launch
in 2008.
PROJECT FOCUS
Making available low cost loans and grants to farmers through the DBJ/PC Bank network for working
capital support.
LOAN COMPONENT
Beef and dairy farmers have benefited from loans totaling $64 M for pasture development; purchasing
breeding stock; and upgrading farm equipment.
CAPACITY BUILDING COMPONENT

Assistance provided through farmers organizations include: The re-introduction of a National Milk
Recording Programme in collaboration with the Jamaica Hope Cattle Breeders Society; Allocationof
mastitis testing kits and computers to aid participating farmers in National Milk Recording Programme.
GRANT SUPPORT PROGRAMME

Assist in building local capacity in Embryo Transfer Technique; Capacity building support to BDPAJ in
the development of an operational plan for the management of cluster farms and engagement of preproject consultancy; Initiation of a collaborative research project with UWI, St Augustine to develop an
island-wide nutritional profile of Jamaica pastures, upgrade the Forage Analytical Laboratory at Bodles;
and Approval of grants funding to enable restoration of milk collection facility at Rhymesfield Cooperative. Support the establishment of a milk testing reference laboratory at the Bodles Research Station.
For further information contract:
JAMAICA DAIRY DEVELOPMENT BOARD

Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries
Hope Gardens, Kingston 6
Tel: (876) 618-7107 Fax (876)977-9230

Email: dairyboard@moa.gov.jm
Tips For Reducing Salt In Your Diet

NutriCare
hen it comes to dietary sodium, less

is certainly best, yet Americans
today consume 50% more than the recommended daily quantities of sodium. Diets
high in sodium increase blood pressure
levels. High blood pressure damages the
kidneys over time, and is a leading cause
of kidney failure.
To help Americans reduce salt intake
to the ideal one teaspoon per day, the National Kidney Foundation offers 10 tips to
reduce sodium in your diet. To help Americans reduce salt intake to the ideal one teaspoon per day, the National Kidney
Foundation and Council of Renal Nutrition
member Linda Ulrich offer 10 tips to reduce sodium in your diet.
1. Use fresh, rather than packaged,
meats. Fresh cuts of beef, chicken or pork
contain natural sodium, but the content is
still much less than the hidden extra
sodium added during processing in products like bacon or ham. If a food item
keeps well in the fridge for days or weeks,
that's a tip off that the sodium content is too
high.
2. Choose fresh fruit and vegetables, as
well, since they are very low in sodium.
Canned and frozen fruits are also low in
sodium.
By
Gloria Bent, MS, RD, CDN - Nutritionist

Questions &Comments
gloria.bent@gmail.com
4. Compare various brands of the same

food item until you find the one that has
the lowest sodium content, since this will
vary from brand to brand.
5. Select spices or seasonings that do not
list sodium on their labels, i.e. choose garlic powder over garlic salt.
3. When buying frozen vegetables,
choose those that are labeled "fresh frozen"
and do not contain added seasoning or
sauces.
3. Begin reading food labels as a matter

of course. Sodium content is always listed
on the label. Sometimes the high sugar
content in a product like apple pie can
mask the high sodium content so it's important to check every label for sodium
content.
6. Before dining out, do your research.

Visit the restaurant's website which should
list the sodium content of various dishes
served there. Alternatively, when you're at
the restaurant and ready to order, you can
request that the dish be served without salt.
7. Beware of products that don't taste especially salty but still have high sodium
content, such as cottage cheese.
8. If you have elevated blood pressure,

dietary sodium restriction can not only
lower your blood pressure, but can enhance your response to blood pressure
medications.
9. Salt preference is an acquired taste
that can be unlearned. It takes about 6-8
weeks to get used to eating food with much
lower quantities of salt, but once it's done,
it's actually difficult to eat foods like potato chips because they taste way too salty.
Spice Up Your Diet without Salt
Courtesy of The National
Kidney Foundation
www.kidney.org/
Get more information about agriculture from
THE AGRICULTURALIST
The Caribbean #1 farmers newspaper
for advertisement
923-7471; 923-7428
www.theagriculturalist.com
advertising@theagriculturalist.com

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VOL. 25 NO.

THE MINISTER RAPS WITH THE QUEENS:

Ag Boards Yield Mixed Results

By Patrick Maitland, Editor-The Agriculturalist

Banana Board recorded

ous years. The Board achieved this surplus

JAS net assets grew by 20%

The Jamaica Agricultural Societys

1.7 percent on the asset base, which stood at

2 THE AGRICULTURALIST AUGUST 2015

Liquid contact fungicid

AUGUST 2015 THE AGRICULTURALIST 3

4 THE AGRICULTURALIST AUGUST 2015

AUGUST 2015 THE AGRICULTURALIST 5

6 THE AGRICULTURALIST AUGUST 2015

We salute and support

Water is also life for farmers

amaica is known as the land of wood

AUGUST 2015 THE AGRICULTURALIST 7

Publisher -The Agriculturalist

The so-called climate change phenomenal has been negatively affecting

Ag Boards Yield Mixed Results

However, if we are serious about

Continued from page 1

The Coconut Industry Boards gross

National Irrigation Commission

Cane Farmers Association

million for the year ended September 30,

Cocoa Board incurred

The investment arm of the Ministry of

grants of $72.9 million and subvention of

SIA accounts were not supplied

Publisher & Editor:

Vincent Wright, Jairzenho Bailey

Agri Life Foundation Ltd

yngenta warned of a slowdown in the

8 THE AGRICULTURALIST AUGUST 2015

MOA Videographer died

Aaron Parke, agriculturalist

-------------------------------------Send your obituaries report to: editor@theagriculturalist.com

EBONY PARK/CASE MOU:

Some farmers accused of price

The Ministry of Agriculture is accusing

Get the message to the farmers

No need for panic

he Ministry of Agriculture says, despite the impact of the dry spell on

overnment Senator Norman W. Grant

The proposed cess on imported refined sugar

A ROAD REHABILITATION PROJECT:

AUGUST 2015 THE AGRICULTURALIST 9

10 THE AGRICULTURALIST AUGUST 2015

he Rural Agricultural Development authority (RADA) this year celebrates its

RADA has not only sought to augment its

AUGUST 2015 THE AGRICULTURALIST 11

Denbigh 2015 to Attract 120,000 Patrons

By Judith Hunter JIS

Addressing a JIS Think Tank on

We will highlight how the JAS has

According to Senator Grant the show

Eat what we grow Grow what we eat

We call it the greenhouse revolution helping to feed

12 THE AGRICULTURALIST AUGUST 2015

A dynamic agricultural event

Portia Simpson Miller, ON, MP