The Agriculturalist -- Dec 20121 Issue by Patrick Maitland

3652054

Farm Leaders Want More Commitment

VOL.22 NO. 6 • DECEMBER 2011

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By Patrick Maitland, Editor The Agriculturalist

ith Jamaica’s General Election scheduled for December 29, 2011, farm leaders are expecting more resources and protec tion from the political party which forms the next government.

President of the Jamaica Agri cultural Society, Glendon Harris, conceded that neither the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) nor the People’s National Party (PNP) have done enough, in budgetary allocation to the agricultural sector compared with tourism, manufacturing and other productive sectors. “The farm roads, irrigation networks, inadequate extension services, poor marketing and lack of access to credit continue to plague farmers,” Harris noted. Har ris, who is also a Councillor in the St James Parish Council represent ing the opposition PNP, is however expecting agriculture to be a prior ity for both political parties. Chairman of the AllIsland Ba nana Growers Association (AIBGA), Gerthel Sessing, said farmers, especially banana growers, are expecting the next administra tion to aggressively facilitate the re suscitation of the industry and put in place appropriate regulations to curtail the importation of banana products. Chairman of the Jamaica Cane Farmers Association, Allan Rickards, charged that none of Ja maica’s Ministers of Agriculture since independence has been suc cessful in getting the support of their Cabinet colleagues. “We are not seeking handouts or subsidies,we are always seeking production incentives similar to what are given to other industries,” Rickards explained.

The chairman, who represents some 35,000 cane farmers, said the government should remove upfront payment of GCT from all farm in puts, and a tax rebate for diesel oil. “The ‘token support’ will not help to achieve sustainable growth in agricultural production,” he de clared. Donald Salmon, vicepresi dent, Jamaica Coffee Growers As sociation, said farmers are expecting Government to address the ongoing problems, including the unreliable marketing of several agricultural commodities, espe cially coffee and cocoa. “Government should develop a better partnership with the farm ers to better address the issues,” Salmon noted. In their manifesto, the People’s National Party (PNP) promised to focus on increased food security. The objective of food security as sumes increased significance for small island states such as Jamaica, which are net importers of food. The Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) noted that the most com pelling priorities for agriculture are raising the level of productivity, through the use of technology and improved farming practices and providing better access to markets. The JLP is committed to aggres sively promoting the use of proven technology to increase yield, im prove quality and rationalize the use of scarce water.

CHAMPION EXTENSION LEADERS:

(lr) Donald Robinson, Most Outstanding Parish Manager, Howard O’Hara; Most Out standing Deputy Parish Manager and Reginald Scott, Most Outstanding Lifestock Officer at the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) staff Awards Ceremony held on Wednesday (December 14) in Kingston.

Deadline for Jamaica Citrus Growers bids extended

here has been a one month ex tension of the deadline for the submission of bids for the acquisi tion of Jamaica Citrus Growers Limited. The entity’s receiver/manager has announced that the date has been changed from December 19 to January 27. Jamaica Citrus Growers, which is a subsidiary of the Jamaica Cit rus Growers Association, is en gaged in the processing, packaging and marketing of citrus products and the production of chilled bev erages under the “Juciful” label. The factory is based on seven acres of land in Bog Walk, St. Catherine.

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‘Grow and Eat Organically’

2 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • DECEMBER 2011

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Distributors of:

•Ecklonia Kelp Plant Stimulant •KelpPlus Fish Emulsion Fertilizer For more info and to order your products:

Tel: 3905382 • 3280027 or Email: info@eckogap.com www.eckogap.com

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DECEMBER 2011 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • 3

Vote for Candidates Who Support Agriculture!

amaica’s annual food import bill is now at an all time high of over US$800 mil lion. This came as a result of a number of challenges that have been facing farmers, including policies implemented by suc cessive governments during the past 40 years. Starting in the 1970s, the government farm policies were too political to impact positively on production. Project Land Lease was introduced in 1973, and saw the redistribution of over 18,000 hectares and promised to help more than 23,000 farmers. People saw the project then as in adequate and containing marginally arable land, highly uneconomical and partisan in political terms. The redistribution of land in the 1970s also emphasized cooperative own ership, a decision that sharply increased the number of cooperatives and made members an important political force. With sporadic marginal growth in domes tic food production, traditional crops, in cluding banana, sugar, cocoa and coffee as well as livestock, started to decline. Government policies toward land tenure and land use shifted in the 1980s in favor of privatization, commercialization

EDITORIAL PAGE

and modernization of agriculture. Sugar cooperatives were dismantled, some gov ernment holdings were divested and for eign investment was sought to update farming methods and help develop new product lines, or "nontraditional exports." Agro21 was established in 1983 to spearhead the new agriculture policies, and aimed to put 80,000 hectares of idle land into the hands of the private sector. It was during the period of the 1980s that the government started the trade lib eration policy, in keeping with the United States, IMF and World Bank conditional ity for loans and grant support. Government subsidies on fertilizer, feeds and other farm inputs were signifi cantly removed, while farmers were ex posed to unfair competitions from imported farm foods. The 1990s could be described as the worst period for Jamaican agriculture, as it was during this period that the govern ment liberalized trade and removed most imports restrictions. Those policies did not help local pro duction, as the market was flooded with subsidized meat, milk and vegetables.

F Fo oc ca all P Po oiin ntt by

PATRICK MAITLAND

Publisher The Agriculturalist editor@theagriculturalist.com

It was not until the start of 2000s that government start to take action to modify the policy to restrict imports. But, we cannot blame the government alone for implementing bad farm policies. Our farm leaders were also responsi ble as, in most cases, they did not show any form of serious objection, as it would have affected their relationship with their respective political parties and govern ment ministers. In some cases, farm and other business leaders also benefited per sonally from cheap farm imports and di vested lands.

On December 29, 2011, Jamaicans will be going to the polls to elect a new government. Farmers should use the op portunity to influence the process by sup porting those candidates that support the interest of farmers. This could be difficult, as a candidate may be a strong farm ad vocate but his or her party leadership fail to comply. We are therefore urging farmers to get updated on the issues in agriculture and vote for those candidates that support agriculture and local food production.

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.

PEOPLE ARE TALKING...! Tomato grown from the wall of house

This is a copy of tomato grown from this wall of house where I oversee and live. Quite likely there could be a hole above the plant came out of the wall very small and gradually increase in size. I tie it as it grows. I put no fertilizer nothing but rain that wet the out plant a bit run down on the wall. How seed get into wall can’t say and how long it was there for. Possibly Rat carry the seed. Photo shown 2 ripe toma toes and it hold 3 size tomatoes and young ones. The house is white lime on mall as appear. O. Messam Mount Pleasant, Balaclava St. Elizabeth Cell: 5063643

S end comme nts t o:

ed it o r@ th ea gr ic ul tura li st. c o m

Publisher: Patrick Maitland

Admin/Advertising Director: Susan Wissant

Advertising Executives: Nordia Paul; Bernadette Kerr

Consulting Editors: Vincent Wright, Jairzenho Bailey Produced & Published by:

Agri Life Foundation

AMC Complex, 188 Spanish Town Road, Kingston 11, Jamaica, W.I. Tel: (876) 9237471• 9237428 Fax: (876) 9237428 agriculturalist@gmail.com editor@theagriculturalist.com www.theagriculturalist.com

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4 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • AUGUST 2011

Sugar Industry Suffering From Illicit Cane Fires

NEWS

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ver 8,000 tonnes of sugar cane on three estates have been burnt illicitly. The local sugar industry contin ues to reel from the destruction of cane fields due to illicit burning. PanCaribbean Sugar Company, which acquired some of the state owned factories says the problem is affecting fields in Westmore land, Clarendon and St. Catherine and is threatening the livelihood of thousands of persons as well as the stability of communities. In a notice in the press, the com pany said 8,500 tonnes of sugar cane on three estates have been burnt illicitly in addition to root losses amounting to US$2 mil lion. In the meantime, Allan Rickards, Chairman of the AllIs land Jamaica Cane Farmers Asso ciation, says he is not convinced that the Government is doing enough to address the problem.

FARM TRACTOR: Agriculture Minister Robert Montague (2nd l) inspects a handoperated tractor supplied under the ALBA Alimentos Input Supplies Project. The equipment was on display at a ceremony held on Tuesday (December 6) at Hope Gardens, Kingston 6. Also in photo Jonathan Roye of Machines and Parts Export LLC (Mapex), distributors of the tractor (1st l); Novell Quest, RADA Chairman (3rd l); Richard Powell, president/CEO of Mapex (4th l); Donovan Stanberry, Permanent secretary ministry of Agriculture and Josh Nelson, principal, Knockalva Agricultural School.

Christmas Greetin g an d Be st Wis hes

On beh a lf of t he Sh a reh olders, M a na gemen t t eam a nd St a ff of t he Ma vi s B an k c off ee Fa ct or y Li mi ted , we would li ke t o ext en d wa rm Ch ri st mas greet in gs to t h e our va lu ed fa rmers an d c us t ome rs . Wi t h out y ou, 2 01 1 c oul d n ot h a ve b ee n t h e su cc ess it wa s! M a y you enjoy a M erry Ch ri st mas a nd ma y Go d� s gr ac e be wit h you a nd your s , not only on t h i s Ch ri stm as Da y but all t hr ough out t he New Year !! Me r ry C h ris t ma s a n d a P ros p e rou s a nd bri gh t 20 12 !! God B less! F rom Sen ator Nor ma n W. Gr an t Ma n a gin g D ir ec t or an d CEO Ma vi s B an k Cof fee F ac tory Lim ited

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Poultry Producers Concern about USA Imports

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ccording to Dr Desmond Ali, Executive Director of the Caribbean Poultry Association (CPA), the re gion’s poultry industry is ‘under threat because of the huge amount of imports mainly from the USA’. He noted how import re It has been estimated that strictions in both Russia and the ‘region’s poultry feed re China were resulting in ‘a quirements … could be pro huge backlog of supplies’, duced on 100,000 hectares’, including ‘a huge accumula with such land available in tion of dark (chicken) meat’, Belize and Guyana. with American exporters In June 2011 on the having opted to dispose of fringes of CPA meetings in this accumulated surplus ‘in Belize, discussions were its own backyard, the held between CPA board Caribbean’. Until 2008 Rus members, the Belize Corn sia was the world’s largest Council, concerned port au poultry importer, however, thorities and logistical serv imports have been severely ice suppliers. curtailed since then. A pilot shipment of 10,000 In 2011, imports are ex tonnes of feed maize is now pected to fall a further 30% scheduled to be delivered to compared to 2010, taking the Jamaican poultry indus import levels down to only try in 2012. onethird of those prevailing The experience of the Be in 2008. lize poultry sector, which in The situation in the the 1990s began to develop Caribbean is of course com integrated poultry produc pounded by its ‘unfortunate tion (producing feed crops, position of being located be establishing feed mills and tween Brazil to the south smallscale integrated poul and the United states to the try production and process north who are the two ing units) is illustrative of largest exporters of poultry the potential for develop products in the world’. In ment of the poultry sector this context, Dr Ali said ‘the across the Caribbean region. industry in the Caribbean ‘Belize is now self suffi now has to look for ways to cient in broiler meat, table deal with the cheap imports eggs, turkey meat and hatch from the USA’. In the ing eggs for broilers and Caribbean, ‘the poultry sec about 80% for layers’. The tor is one of the largest sub concerted action of the or sectors in agriculture ganised Belize Poultry As generating about US $650 sociation in dealing with the million in sales annually’. government on the issue of As part of the response to imports has been noted by the threat from US imports the regional CPA, and a pro and rising and volatile gramme of action for engag global cereals prices, the ing with regional and CPA is seeking to develop national authorities is being regional production and developed. trade in poultry feed.

Grant heads MOA Praedial Larceny Program

Reginald Grant, retired assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) is the new praedial larceny prevention coordinator. His appointment, which took effect on Tuesday, December 6, comes more than seven months after retired Ja maica Defence Force (JDF) officer Lieutenant Colonel Paul Dunn quit the post in April.

NEWS “ We D i d I t ”

(lr) Fisheries of fices in the MoAF, TaChala Beecher and Farrah Hansel along with Director for the Aquaculture Branch, Avery Gal braithSmikle took some time to show the certificates they received after successfully com pleting a fourday ACP Fish II Programme Network training held recently in Kingston.

DECEMBER 2011 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • 5

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6 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • DECEMBER 2011

JAMAICA 4H CLUB FOCUS

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CAKE FOR THE M INISTER:

Agriculture Minister Robert Montague ( 5th l) assists a 4H Clubbite to cut a cake on display at the Eat Jamaican held at Den bigh Showgrounds recently. Also in photo JAS vicepresident, Norman Grant (1st l), JAS president, Glendon Harris (9th l) and national farm queen, SharnaGay Brown (1st r).

THE JAMAICA 4H CLUBS ‘To Make The Best Better’

Providing Training For TheNation's Youths (Age 525) Creating Better Leaders For Tomorrow THE JAMAICA 4H CLUBS

95 Old Hope Road, Kingston 6, Jamaica WI Tel: 92740502 • Fax: 9783209 Email: jamaica.4h@cwjamaica.com • Website: www.jamaica4hclubs.com

EGAP releases exciting and innovative new products

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GAP Enterprise Ltd “eckogap” re cenlty announced the launch of two of seven new and unique Kelp (Sea weed) ProductsEcklonia Kelp Plant Stim ulant and KelPlus Anchovy Fish Emulsion Fertilizer. The Kelp products was developed using a unique patented cell burst technology, in cluding ultra high frequency sound and ultra violet light technology. The differences with our Products, as against other fertilizer companies, are our Mechanical CellShear Process technology, how we formulate and produce our prod ucts. Our process avoids heat, dehydration, chemical digestion, and freezing of the raw material. The resulting product contains and retains all the compounds found in fresh, natural kelp, in a viable, biologically active form. We are very excited by their ability to: •Increase root mass, vegetation growth and flowering; •Improve plant’s tolerance to heat, mak ing them drought resistant; •Increase natural resistance to insects and fungal attacks; •Lower NPK and Higher Yields when compare with other fertilizers with higher NPK; •Make the Environment and Earth a healthier place; These products can be purchased in farm stores islandwide, like Spanish Town Farm Store; Gateway Farm Store, Old Harbour; Yallahs Agriculture Supplies; St. Thomas Farm Store; Carib Agro Distributors stores islandwide; Green Island Hardware’s, Hanover; J.A.S regional offices islandwide and small farm stores islandwide. They are certified as 100% Organic and may be used on all crops or plants regard less of the varied climate or soil condition. They have a proven yield potential of 2040 % above the normal yields on all crops, and on some crops up to 70%. Farmers will ben efit immensely from these products which will, in turn, help the consumers, environ ment and the economy. The products have been tested on many crops, in all the parishes, and are currently being tested to resolve the greening bacteria found in citrus plants throughout Jamaica. While these products are not repellants, we have seen tests in other countries where they have eradicated or minimized bacteria, fungus, and insects, allowing the plants to grow and produce above average yields. The various tests done locally, thus far, have concurred with the facts and data from other countries. One example; tests at the Mavis Bank Coffee Factory have shown 95 98%, A Grade, using Ecklonia Kelp and KelPlus have eradicate the Coffee berry borer. This and many other insects, funguses and bacteria the Kelp products have eradicated, prevent or minimize them from affecting crops (natural pest control program). There fore, if we want to enhance our food pro duction while protecting our environment,

NEWS

DECEMBER 2011 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • 7

Kelp (Seaweed) ProductsEcklonia Kelp Plant Stimulant and KelPlus Anchovy Fish Emulsion Fertilizer.

PRODUCTS TALK: Roy Page president and CEO of EGAP Enterprise Ltd (l) talks about the Kelp products to Agriculture Minister Robert Montague (2nd r) along with National Farm Queen 2011, SharnaGaye Brown (3rd l); JAS president, Glen don Harris (4th l) and vicepresident Norman Grant at the recent “Eat Jamaican Day” celebration held at Denbigh showgrounds, Clarendon. then the Kelp products are the only natural and clean working solution. Our products are not only stimulants and fertilizers but they act like repellants. Most people articu late what we do “we are suppliers of organic products etc…." That may be true, but why

we do it is to help our farmers, landscapers, and horticulturalists increase production while cutting their costs. Making farmers and consumers lives better is our ultimate goal. That is why we have invested prod ucts, time and money in educating farmers

and working on projects in schools and communities. Therefore let’s “Grow and Eat Organi cally” for a better and healthier lifestyle – “eckogap” is the way. www.eckogap.com Contributed

8 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • SEPTEMBER 2011

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The JLP Launches the ‘New Agricultural Revolution’

Reprinted From the 2011 Manifesto of The Jamaica Labour Party ince 2007, the agriculture sector has expe rienced consistent growth except for peri ods of adverse weather. The average growth in domestic food production over the last 4 year period is 17%. The most compelling priorities for agricul ture are raising the level of productivity, through the use of technology and improved farming practices and providing better access to markets. The Jamaica Labour Party is committed to: • Aggressively promoting the use of proven technology (e.g. green house, hydroponics, tis sue culture etc.) to increase yield, improve quality and rationalize the use of scarce water. • Providing training and technical support to ensure that farmers master the application of new technologies. A Better Extension of Services Restoring and expanding agricultural exten sion services which have been severely de pleted, to ensure the effective transfer of technology and application of modern practice. In 2007, the ratio of farmers to extension offi cers was 3000:1. Through the restructuring of RADA, there was a doubling of the number of extension officers. The ratio now stands at ap proximately 1,500 farmers to 1 extension offi cer. Improved Pest and Disease Control Improving the capabilities for pest and disease control by stricter quarantine procedures, and speedier detection and corrective practices.

Promotion of Organic Farming Providing technical and financial support for organic farming, to exploit the growing inter national market for organically produced foods, supported by the introduction of an or

JAMAICA ELECTIONS FEATURE

able to meet the required capital investments to adopt new technologies.

ganic farming policy.

Promotion of Exotic Crops: Promoting the cultivation and export market ing of exotic crops including pimento, nutmeg and tumeric, along with medicinal and culinary herbs and spices, in a strategic programme in tegrated with the Brand Jamaica Campaign. Development of a Cold Chain through the Provision of Refrigeration Facilities; Estab lishing strategically located refrigeration facil ities, to extend the shelf life of farmers’ produce and improve marketing possibilities. Improved Market Intelligence Improving the gathering and timely dissemi nation of marketing information to provide farmers with the best options for marketing their produce.

Improved Selection, Grading and Packaging Practices Providing training for farmers in proper selec tion, grading and packaging practices, to more effectively synchronize farm production with market requirements.

Incentives for AgroProcessors Providing incentives for agroprocessors to ex tend the market for agricultural produce and provide greater predictability and price stabil ity for farmers. Affordable Loans for Farmers Continuing to increase the availability of low interest loans to farmers through the People's Cooperative (PC) banks, to ensure that they are

Land Titling Process LAMP and LAND Programmes • Amending the Registration of Titles Act to simplify the registration of untitled land, where the claimant has been in possession for a spec ified minimum period of time, where owner ship is not in dispute and can be confirmed by evidence. • Establishing community land tribunals to consider applications for registration and, after adequate public notification, to conduct hear ings and, if satisfied that the right of ownership has been established, to issue a certificate of ownership. Irrigation Expansion Improving existing and establishing new irri gation schemes to increase the acreage of land available for highproductivity farming. • Development of Irrigation Schemes through National Irrigation Master Development Plan (NIDP) • 486 hectares of land has been brought under irrigation at Hounslow, and 214.6 hectares are now in production, as a result of the rehabili tation of the Hounslow system.

Protection and Strengthening of the Livestock Sector • Instituting measures to protect and expand the livestock sector and to improve productiv ity with a view to capturing a greater share of the domestic market. • Providing the necessary protection to milk producers to mitigate the effects of subsidized imported milk solids. This is to be monitored by the Jamaica Dairy Development Board.

Expansion of Aquaculture Expanding the aquaculture industry, especially for the export market, and promoting the pro duction of new species to replicate the success achieved with the tilapia. Improved Management of Marine Fishing Establishing a comprehensive programme to improve the management of the marine fishing industry including: • More vigilant efforts to stem illegal fishing in Jamaican waters. • Careful monitoring of our fish population and stricter control measures to prevent overfish ing and the depletion of fish stock by regulat ing the size and weight of fish that can be harvested. • Implementation of an environmental pro gramme to stop the pollution of our sea water and the use of dynamite and chemicals to reap fish, and to reverse the damage being done to our fish nurseries and coral reefs.

Intensifying Efforts to Combat Praedial Larceny Reorganizing, retraining, equipping and rede ploying district constables, to be a more effec tive force in combating praedial larceny. There is ongoing dialogue with stakeholders to refine plans to enforce traceability of possession. • Redevelopment of the rice industry – this programme was launched in September 2009 as part of the Food Security and Import Sub stitution Programme. The target is to replace 25,000 tonnes (25%) of rice imports in the fu ture. • Establishment of the Agricultural Devel opment Fund (ADF) to Facilitate Agricultural Development. This fund will have a target of $120 million annually and will be used in fund ing initiatives that will either modernize or de velop the industry.

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JAMAICA ELECTIONS FEATURE

The PNP’s ‘Agriculture and Rural Development’ Plans

Reprinted From the 2011 Manifesto of The People’s National Party

hilst it is the intention of the PNP Administration to diversify the economy at a faster pace, by ex ploiting the opportunities a forded in “new” sectors such as ICT, there is no question that agriculture will remain one of the main planks of the national economy. However, the socioeconomic development of rural Jamaica is inextricably linked to the growth and modernisation of the agricultural sector. In this regard, the next PNP Adminis tration will focus greater attention on in creased food security. The Administration will focus on the fol lowing: 1. Development of starch derived from roots and tubers to support the carbohydrate re quirement of the nation. This support will pro mote the expansion of production of sweet and irish potatoes, cassava, yam and bananas through incentives such as the supply of in puts, extension service and research. An ob jective of this programme is the production of flour from these products which could be mixed with imported wheat in the production of a variety of products. The Administration will take the lead by mandating the involvement of the school feeding programme as well as other state in stitutions such as hospitals and prisons. 2. The development and expansion of herbs such as mint and cerasee, which are used in the expanding tea manufacturing subsector, which now sources herbs extraregionally. Ja maica has the potential to produce in quanti ties to satisfy the needs of CARICOM. 3. Resuscitation of the fruit tree crop pro gramme under which government provides seedlings, loans and grants for land prepara tion to qualified farmers. 4. The orientation of investment promotion activities to exploit the potential of the export of roots, tubers, herbs, spices and fresh veg etables. This could be facilitated by the pro motion of strategic partnerships with wholesale and retail outlets in North America and Europe with producers in Jamaica. 5. The Administration through RADA, will: i. Organise farmers to produce for export at the requisite quality and consistency, through the provision of proper technical advisory services. ii. Collaborate with the major retail chains to partner with farmers. iii. Continue the construction of ‘packing houses’ and offer these to interested investors who are willing to contract with farmers. 6. Develop farmsteads for young graduates of agricultural institutions.

These farmsteads would comprise a starter housing unit on 510 acres equipped with ir rigation and other infrastructure necessary for modern farming activities. The production on the farmsteads would be driven by available markets which the government will assist the young farmers to identify. 7. Continue the implementation of the Na tional Irrigation Development Plan (NIDP) which was formulated and approved by Cab inet in 1998. This is critical to combating the impact of climate change and overcoming marginal productivity associated with rainfed agriculture. 8. Promulgation of policy positions as fol lows: i) A National Food Security Policy consistent with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) guidelines that focus on: • Food availability • Food accessibility • Food Safety • Effective Utilisation and Con sumption • Stability ii) A National Fisheries Policy • Resuscitating inland fisheries • Legislation to eliminate poaching • Revisit importation policy iii) A Policy on Apiculture iv) A Policy on Nutraceuticals v) Policy on GeneticallyModified Foods • Public awareness of safety factor vi) Policy on Nutrition of Children in Pub lic Schools, to improve dietary offerings and making use of local produce and products. 9. Finalise the Praedial Larceny Prevention Programme. 10. Develop and implement a strategic pro gramme to, resuscitating conserve and facili tate the orderly development of a viable ruminant Livestock Sector.

Land The issue of land titling will be given greater focus to encourage more land owners to se cure titles for their properties, and thereby stimulate more productive use. Several strate gies have been used, under the Land Admin istration Management Programme (LAMP) to influence land titling; however, the response to it has been slow. The new PNP Adminis tration will continue to foster the progressive agenda for land titling, through ongoing edu cation programmes; and direct interventions at the community level, as well as to stream line the actual process. .

The mission of Agri Life Foundation is to enhance the social and economic well being of farmers as well as to build awareness, understanding and a positive public perception of agriculture and the environment. Patrick Maitland, Agri Life Foundation 188 Spanish town Road, Kingston 11, Jamaica WI Tel: 9237471; 9237428 • patland2000@gmail.com

DECEMBER 2011 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • 9

10 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • DECEMBER 2011

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INTERNATIONAL NEWS

US 'to cut corn export estimate to 14year low'

he US is to cut its estimate for corn ex ports to the lowest in 14 years, and lower hopes for soybean shipments too, to reflect the country's emergence as "an island of high prices" for many crops. The US Department of Agriculture's De cember Wasde reports, of which the latest edition is due later on Friday, are typically viewed as among the less exciting of the flag ship series of reports, making no changes his torically to data on US crop area, yield or production. And this time, the consensus view is for a report which makes little change to US grains data, with the estimate for wheat stocks at the close of 201112 expected to see a 2mbushel rise, and for corn inventories seen likely to be trimmed by 12m bushels to 831m bushels. "No significant changes are expected to the corn balance sheets," Luke Mathews at Com

monwealth Bank of Australia said. Don Roose, president of US Commodities, said there was a risk of the report being over shadowed by a toplevel European meeting to discuss the eurozone crisis, saying the "real concerns is what is happening with the world right now". However, weeks of disappointing US corn export data – before a solid 708,000tonne figure, old crop and new combined, released on Thursday – have raised ideas that USDA statisticians could cut their forecast for full season shipments, meaning higher supplies of the grain at the close of 201112. Range of forecasts: 712m899m bushels US sales commitments of some 22m tonnes are down 3% year on year, and even further behind the 20062010 average of more than 24m tonnes, according to Australia & New Zealand Bank data.

Ivory Coast seeks chocolate fairness for farmers

(CNN) he world's chocolate makers may spe cialize in delivering a sweet taste but the government of the Ivory Coast is seek ing to address what it sees as the bitter treat ment of the farmers who grow the industry's raw materials. The West African nation was the world's biggest cocoa producer which is the main ingredient in chocolate between 2009 and 2010, rearing some 1.19 million tons of the crop according to the International Cocoa Organization (ICCO).

Thanks to a mixture of price volatility, in ternal instability within the Ivory Coast and a lack of protection from speculators how ever, an ever smaller portion of the billions of dollars of annual revenue the industry creates finds its way back to the country's farmers. While this set up may benefit cocoa buy ers and chocolate companies, non profits such as the International Cocoa Initiative (ICI) have claimed that it forces farmers to pay low wages and encourages exploitative practices such as child labor.

Plant to Make Fertilizer That Eases a Threat

n Idaho company will operate a new factory to manufacture a type of fertil izer that will be less useful in making bombs, the product’s inventor, Honeywell, announced on Friday. Bombs made from ordinary fertilizer have been used around the world. They destroyed the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City in 1995 and damaged the World Trade Center in 1993. Most recently, fertilizer bombs have been used against United States forces in Iraq and Afghanistan, and fertilizer is suspected to be a component of a fatal bomb used at a government center in Oslo in July. Honeywell, based in Morris Township, N.J., patented the new fertilizer in 2008. It combines the traditional ammonium nitrate with ammonium sulfate, significantly re ducing its ability to explode. But so far, the fertilizer has not been manufactured. Honeywell announced Friday that it had signed an agreement with J. R. Simplot, based in Boise, to build a factory at a Sim plot plant in Lathrop, Calif. Honeywell will own the factory, but Simplot will operate it and have exclusive rights to sell the fertil izer in western North America and northern Mexico.

DECEMBER 2011 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • 11

Sulfur is already widely used on fields in the West to lower the pH level, but not in eastern areas, some of which are already too acidic. However, Honeywell said, the new fertilizer is superior because it releases its nitrogen over a longer period. Honeywell is already a large producer of ammonium sulfate fertilizer. Murat Bicak, the business director for the product at Honeywell Specialty Materials, said, “We expect that its cost will run at a slight premium to common nitratebased fertilizers based on its unique attributes, in cluding safety and effectiveness.” The company did not say how much it thought would be manufactured, but Mr. Bicak added, “We continue to have dia logue with regulators about current and pro posed regulation and how our technology can be used to reduce the threat of fertilizer based explosive devices.” The new fertilizer was tested independ ently “with guidance from the U.S. Depart ment of Homeland Security and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explo sives,” according to Honeywell. Switching to the new fertilizer could re lieve farmers of some requirements to safe guard their fertilizer stockpiles.

Increase Production with EcoFriendly Strategies

• Environmentally Friendly Pest Control Measures: Controlling the Berry Borer with the Rustic Traps Reemphasizing Stripping

• Helps to minimize the negative impact to the fragile ecosystem of the Blue Mountains. • Increased production and highquality berries • Major reduction in pest control cost

For further information contact:

Advisory Services Unit

Coffee Industry Board

7583903 or 7581259 Willie Henry Drive, Kingston 15

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Agri Life Foundation has been established as a nonprofit organization to foster and encourage farmers to become more selfsufficient 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 researchbased information and technology regarding environmentally sound management and profitable agricultural production practices.

MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of Agri Life Foundation is to enhance the social and economic well being of farmers as well as to build awareness, understanding and a positive public perception of agriculture and the environment. • The publication of The Agriculturalist Newspaper with agricultural news, views, technologies as well as sustainable and environmentalfriendly farming practices.

• The publication of The Tropical Farmers’ Almanac –an annual guide with technical agricultural information and environmentalfriendly farming practices for farmers. • The provision of educational and training opportunities for farmers.

• The provision of direct relief assistance to farmers in need of food, shelter and medical assistance. • The support of urban farming, food security, nutrition and health (also in relation to HIVAIDS) • The provision of direct financial and technical support to women, young farmers and other economically challenged food producers. • The provision of financial support for students and young farmers pursuing studies in agricultural and environmental studies.

• The development and organization of farmertofarmer, agricultural student exchange and farmer mentoring programs.

• Collaboration with both Government and nongovernment agencies in order to improve the economic condition and livelihood of farm producers, their families and rural communities. • The promotion of modern and appropriate technologies in food production. For further information: Patrick Maitland, Executive Chairman, Agri Life Foundation 188 Spanish Town Road, Kingston 11, Jamaica WI Tel: 9237471; 9237428 • patland2000@gmail.com www.agrilifefoundation.org

PET COR NE R

Feeding Your Dog

Your dog should be fed by the same person at each feeding. Apply this rule with com mon sense. This may not be so important if your household has two dogs and you and your wife trade off feeding duties. This rule is particularly important in veterinary setting and boarding kennels where there may be a large number of dogs being fed by different staff. Under these conditions, changing the feeder could lead to an upset of eating be havior in a dog. Tip Number 2 A dog should have its own separate bowl both for feeding and for water. This is im portant from the perspective of dog behavior psychol ogy and also for maintaining good hygiene.

Tip Number 3 Never change the place where you feed your dog, or if unavoidable, change the feeding location as infrequently as possible. It is far less important where you choose to feed you dog as it is to keep the location the same. The constancy and predictability of feeding time and location is essential to your dogs sense of well being and security. To need lessly change disrupts your dogs confidence and overall feeling of well being. This, in turn, can lead to anxiety and possible be havior problems.

Tip Number 4 Never change your dog's food without a sound reason. Dogs, unlike humans, really do not need a change of diet. Dogs can get along very well eating the same diet day in and day out. If you are feeding your dog a nutritionally correct diet, your dog will look forward to its food day in and day out. In fact, a sign of nutritionally deficient dog food is that your dog will lose interest in eat ing. As long as you are feeding your dog a healthy diet, it will not tire of its diet. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com

Com mi t ted t o Heal , Res cue a nd Prot ec t Th e JS PCA man d ates to p r omote ki nd n ess to an imals , p re ve nt ab us e and re du ce f ear , pain and suffering.

Jamaican Society for the

Prevention of Cruelty to Animal 10 Winchester Rd, Kingston 10 Tel: (876) 9290320: Fax: (876) 7544594 jspca@yahoo.com;

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