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VOL. 29 NO. 1 • JAN-FEB 2019 FREE COPY WWW.THEAGRICULTURALIST.COM

Spence replaces Stanberry See Page 7

Save
the
farmlands

Dermon Luke Spence

Permanent Secretary, MICAF
By Patrick Maitland
Editor, The Agriculturalist

A fter months of speculations, strategic development specialist and agricultural ad-

ministrator, Dermon Luke Spence, has been appointed Permanent Secretary to
the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries (MICAF), effective Jan.
2, 2019.
Continued on page 9
2 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • JAN-FEB 2019 WWW.THEAGRICULTURALIST.COM
WWW.THEAGRICULTURALIST.COM
Dermon Luke Spence as permanent secretary
T he appointment of noted agriculturalist
Mr. Dermon Luke Spence as perma-
nent secretary at the Ministry of Industry
Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries
(MICAF), signaled the government’s in-
tention to put agriculture on the forefront
of the island's economic growth agenda.
Mr. Spence is known as a strategic
thinker and an “action man” who always
gets things done in a timely order when
others would mess-up and procrastinate.
Such characteristics and personal at-
tributes are continuously lacking among
top tiered Jamaican public servants.
A demonstration of positive attitude to
get things done is therefore a major step to-
wards achieving success at the Ministry.
MICAF is a “super ministry” covering
some 20 government agencies and depart-
ments charged with the responsibility of
driving the integration of the production of
primary agricultural produce along all the
The opinions expressed in this newspaper, except for the above, do not necessarily reflect the views of The Agriculturalist and its publishers. Please send your com-
ments or suggestions to editor@theagriculturalist.com. Responses should be no longer than 400 words. Not all articles will be published.
Game-changing initiatives to
boost agricultural production
L and utilization, farm, and crop loss insurance, research and develop-
ment infrastructure, the establishment of agricultural production
zones, synchronize and monitor the output and performance of statutory
bodies as well as a registrar of farmers organizations are among the game-
changing initiatives needed to boost Jamaican agricultural production.
Land Utilization - There will be a re-
evaluation of the land use management
process with the intention to decelerate
and eventually stop the pace and manner
in which irrigated land is taken out of
agriculture for housing and tourist attrac-
tions.
Farm and Crop Loss Insurance - We
have developed the concept document
outlining the mechanism for the off-bud-
get financing of a crop loss and farm in-
surance program. Stakeholder
consultation has commenced.
Research and Development Infra-
structure - We will review, renew and
bring meaning and effect to the research
and development centres at Bodles,
Montpelier, and Orange River in St Mary.
These R&D centres will again guide the
development direction to assure our food
supply.
Establishment of Agricultural Pro-
duction Zones – This should be intro-
duced in phases and operated in a manner
that will relieve the farmers of the burden
of start-up financial and infrastructural
costs, thereby unlocking their entrepre-
neurial and productive capacities with the
effect of producing food for the domestic
EDITORIAL
PATRICK MAITLAND
Publisher - The Agriculturalist
patrick@theagriculturalist.com
stages of the supply chain through to value
added, and facilitating full commercializa-
tion of outputs of the agriculture, manu-
OPINIONS
market, the export market the tourism
sector and for manufacturing.
Synchronize and monitor the output
and performance of Statutory bodies –
The establishment of a mechanism to syn-
chronize and monitor the production and
delivery of the public bodies within the
Agriculture portfolio. The monitoring of
the output and delivery from these public
bodies will go a far way in the process of
accountability for the stewardship of the
various boards. It will also examine and
give oversight to policy implementation
and compliance with Ministerial direc-
tives relating to output from each entity.
We should create an office of regis-
trar of farmers organizations to stream-
line and manage the assistance provided
to farmers from the state resources. It will
also offer the opportunity to track and
trace the performance of the sector
through these organizations. The regis-
trar will accredit the organizations using
different standards for assessment. This
will eliminate the confusion as to which
farmers groups are eligible for accessing
public funding and support.
The establish a livestock development
board will bring greater focus and coor-
facturing, and service sectors.
Those sectors or industries under
MICAF are contributing more than 30 per-
cent to Jamaica’s Gross Domestic Products
(GDP), while providing some 40 percent
of the labour force.
Already facing operational challenges
as a result of its diversity and constant
pressure to implement government poli-
cies, MICAF always needs a strong per-
manent secretary who commands the
influence and respect of industry leaders.
The stark reality in the face of the slow
growth in the Jamaican economy is the
persistent poor performance of agriculture,
and manufacturing sectors.
Permanent secretary Spence would
have to hit the grounds -- understanding the
issues affecting farmers and other stake-
holders.
The indiscriminate importation of
farm produce, disappearing farmlands,
lack of investment in agriculture, poor
By
OMER THOMAS
Agricultural Consultant
omerthomas@yahoo.com
dination to the livestock sub-sector. This
will bring together the several unimple-
mented policy initiatives which have
failed for a myriad of reasons.
The absence of attention and direc-
tional guidance for the development
within the various livestock subsectors
has resulted in some of the complications
we experience today. This formalization
of legislation and policies to govern the
entire livestock sub-sector will be a step
in the right direction in assuring our food
and nutrition security.
JAN-FEB 2019 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • 3
marketing and a dilapidated research facil-
ity should be among Mr. Spence’s top pri-
ority issues.
However, the human resources capac-
ity of the Ministry needs major overall as
agriculturalists and other related scientists
have been marginalized over the years.
On the other hand, Government re-
sources cannot adequately address the
needs of those productive sectors. There-
fore the Ministry cannot operate in isola-
tion.
Foraging a mutual beneficial partner-
ship with private sector companies and or-
ganizations -- Jamaica Agricultural Society
and farm input supplies companies --
should be an integral part of the solutions
to grow the agricultural and industrial sec-
tors.
We are however, joining members of
our community in endorsing the appoint-
ment of Mr. Spence as the best person for the
post of permanent secretary.
574 0123
Send your
press releases
and photos
editor@theagriculturalist.com
or Call 923-7471
Publisher & Editor:
Patrick Maitland
Consulting Editors:
Vincent Wright, Jairzenho Bailey
Produced & Published by:
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AMC Complex,
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Kingston 11, Jamaica, W.I.
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www.theagriculturalist.com
4 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • JAN-FEB 2019 WWW.THEAGRICULTURALIST.COM

NEWS

TECHNOLOGY:
Michelle Sherwood (3rd right), Deputy Director, Crop and Plant Protection Unit, Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, discusses ginger with par-
ticipants (from left) Oreane Collins, Laboratory Assistant , Scientific Research Council; Sheldon Blackwood, Tissue Culture Analyst, Northern Caribbean University;
Dr. Seymour Webster, Head of Department, Department of Plants, Sciences and Engineering, College of Agriculture, Science and Education; and Nordia Cunningham
(right), Zonal Plant Health Food safety Officer, Rural Agricultural Development Authority; at a workshop on Single Bud Nursery Technology and Good Practices in
Cultivation of Ginger at the Bodles Research Station in St. Catherine on December 20, 2018. At 2nd right is the trainer Dr. Duraisamy Saravanakumar (left), Interna-
tional Consultant at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.

Namdhari varietty:
WWW.THEAGRICULTURALIST.COM
Boothe chairs
JACRA's board
C ertified Public Accountant and man-
agement consultant, Dennis Boothe,
has been appointed chairman of the Ja-
maica Agricultural Commodities Regula-
tory Authority and Audley Shaw, senior
advisor to Minister of Industry, Com-
merce, Agriculture and Fisheries
(MICAF).
Boothe, who also served as consult-
ant/general manager of the defunct Ja-
maica Citrus Growers Limited, is a
former banker and chairman of the Fi-
nancial Sector Adjustment Company.
Boothe took up assignments at
MICAF in December 2018.
JACRA's first chairman, Richard
Pandohie, resigned soon after taking the
position last year.
Other members of the JACRA board
are: John O. Minott, Coffee Representa-
tive and Deputy Chairman; Glendon
Davis, Cocoa Representative; Stephen
Black, Coconut Representative, Horace
Sherlock, Spices Representative; Gusland
Cane farmers upset with
decision to transport cane
from Monymusk to Appleton
T J
he All-Island Jamaica Cane Farmers As-
sociation is unhappy with the govern-
ment's decision to transport sugar cane from
the Monymusk factory in Clarendon to the
Appleton sugar factory in St. Elizabeth for
processing.
The decision was made despite propos-
als from cane farmers for Monymusk to con-
tinue operations.
In a news release on Thursday, the
Agriculture Ministry said it will assist in
transporting up to 105,000 tonnes of sugar
cane from the Monymusk and Bernard
Lodge sugar factories for processing at the
Appleton and the Worthy Park sugar facto-
ries in St. Catherine.
Allan Rickards, President of the All-Is-
land Jamaica Cane Farmers Association,
said the situation is disappointing, especially
because it appears the ministry had taken the
decision "long ago and that, in fact, our dis-
cussions with the ministry was just a place-
card."
"We also are facing a situation where
the logistical exercise of moving the cane to
those two factories indicate clearly to us that
it will not be possible for the cane, estimated
at about 105,000 tonnes conservatively, to
be taken off by those two factories, which
means many farmers are going to be left
with their canes unreaped," he added.
Mr. Rickards questioned the cost pre-
sented by the Agriculture Ministry to reha-
bilitate and operate the Monymusk sugar
factory.
In a news release Thursday, the min-
istry said it would require between $600
NEWS
Dennis Boothe
McCook, Acting Director General,
JACRA; and Shaun Baugh and Sheldon
Elliott of the MICAF.
JACRA, the new commodities regu-
lator responsible for overseeing the co-
conut, spices, coffee, and cocoa sectors,
launched operations in Jan. 2018.
Allan Rickards
Chairman, All-Island Jamaica
Cane Farmers Association
million and $800 million to operate the fac-
tory.
But Mr. Rickards said it would cost sig-
nificantly less. "The cost to repair the fac-
tory would be, as we submitted, round about
the cost stated in that release to the move-
ment of the cane. The rest of the financing
would be an advance awaiting the proceeds
of the sale of the sugar so produced; and
when we do the mathematics using conser-
vative estimates, the difference would be no
more than $300 million in terms of the
shortfall between expenditure and income
from sugar," he explained.
JAN-FEB 2019 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • 5
Thomas resignes Evans AIC Chair
A gro Invest Corporation is in search for
a new CEO as Sylburn Thomas who
F ormer CEO of the Jamaica Agricultural
Development Foundation and the cur-
rent Executive Director, Betting Gaming
serve in the post since October 2017 re- & Lotteries Commission Vitus Evans was
signed effective December 2018. Thomas recently promoted to chair Agro Invest
said he would be focusing on his export
Corporation board of directors after serv-
and trading company, Jatagma Limited. ing some two years as deputy chairman.
Michael Pryce, a senior director at the He replaced Grace Burnett.
Ministry of Agriculture & Fisheries is the
acting CEO.
Industry Appointments
• Dr. Hugh Lambert - Executive Director (Acting) Jamaica Bauxite Institute
• Melvin Henry - Technical Manager, Newport-Fersan (Jamaica) Limited
• Gabriel Heron, Vice President of Marketing, JAMPRO
JAMPRO recruits
new VP of Marketing
AMPRO has recruited a new Vice Pres-
ident of Marketing to support the
Agency's recent restructuring exercise that
aims to strengthen JAMPRO's marketing
strategy, and increase Jamaica's competi-
tiveness in the global foreign direct in-
vestment (FDI) sphere.
With experience at iconic Jamaican
companies such as J. Wray & Nephew
(Appleton) and JN Money Services, Mr.
Heron is a Strategic Marketing and Busi-
ness Development Executive with over 12
years of experience leading key local and
international strategic marketing initia-
tives. His career highlights include the de-
velopment and launching of global
360-degree marketing campaigns targeting
Jamaica & the Caribbean diaspora.
Heron holds a BSc. in Pure & Applied
Chemistry from the University of the West Gabriel Heron, JAMPRO’s
Indies; and an MBA with a focus in Mar- new Vice President of Marketing
keting and Finance from the University of
Brunel, London, United Kingdom. He has Heron said he was pleased to join the
also been certified as a Digital Marketing JAMPRO team, and he is looking forward
Professional by the Digital Marketing In- to supporting the Agency’s mission for Ja-
stitute in the UK. maica. He expressed his passion for Ja-
The new JAMPRO executive will maica and brand Jamaica and he is happy
lead the Marketing division which in- to be a part of JAMPRO’s marketing vi-
cludes the Agency’s regional offices in sion for 2019 and beyond. Heron said, “Ja-
Montego Bay, London, Toronto and New maica is going through a transformative
York and the Agency’s Contact Manage- period and building awareness across the
globe about the investment opportunities
ment Centre, New Market Development
locally is critical. I am very enthusiastic to
and Integrated Marketing Communica-
play my role in national development by
tions departments. He will also be at the
applying my knowledge and experience in
helm of JAMPRO’s renewed digital mar-
marketing.”
keting strategy.
6 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • JAN-FEB 2019 WWW.THEAGRICULTURALIST.COM

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Save the
farmlands
T he Jamaica Agricultural
Society (JAS) is objecting
to the current divestment or use
of lands that are solely agricul-
tural, to carry out any other ac-
tivity other than farming.
“We cannot achieve sustain-
able and efficient food production
without arable lands to grow
crops and produced livestock,”
President of the JAS, Lenworth
Fulton noted.
Fulton is also calling on the
government to develop a land uti-
lization policy to manage the use
of island’s limited arable farm-
lands.
“We are heading for a major
food crisis as Jamaica is losing up
to 1,000 hectares of its best farm-
land annually,” the president
claimed.
Holness Calls for More Jamaicans
to Get Involved in Agriculture
By Nickieta Sterling
JIS Reporter
P rime Minister, Andrew Holness, has
heightened the call for more Jamaicans
“from all walks of life” to venture into agri-
culture, emphasising that the sector is an im-
portant contributor to the growth of the
Jamaican economy.
“We should never limit agriculture, be-
cause the moment that we limit agriculture
to being merely a manual and domestic en-
deavour, then we limit ourselves and the po-
tential for growth. Make no mistake,
agriculture is big business, and it should run
the gamut,” the Prime Minister said.
He was speaking at the official launch
of the Essex Valley Agriculture Develop-
ment Project, held at the Lititz Primary
School in St. Elizabeth, on January 16.
“We must dispense with the historical
and social issues that have limited our per-
ception and our understanding of agricul-
ture. As I stand here, I want to tell you… I
want to go into farming. I believe it is one of
the most rewarding and noble endeavours,
and we want more Jamaicans from all walks
of life, whether you wear a bush jacket or
fancy shirt or jacket and tie, to get involved.
All of us must put our hands in the soil and
turn it and create some value,” Holness said.
NEWS
Map of the Essex Valley Agriculture Development Project:
Audley Shaw(right), Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, presents a
Lenworth Fulton
copy of the map of the Essex Valley Agriculture Development Project (EVADP) to Dr.
President JAS William Smith, President of the Caribbean Development Bank, at the launch of the EVADP
on January 16 at Lititz in St. Elizabeth.
The project, which represents one of
the largest investments in irrigation infra-
structure in Jamaica, will impact the liveli-
hoods of over 700 farmers on 718 hectares
of land, through the provision of irrigation
water and improved access to local and
global agricultural markets.
Holness said that the Government,
through “vertical integration”, will seek to
spur growth in the agricultural sector,
through infrastructural improvements and
increasing investment in the sector.
“For agriculture to grow, you must look
at what is called vertical integration. You
must create not just production opportuni-
ties of the crop but you have to create the
processing facilities and infrastructure. On
top of that, you have to create the markets
for the distribution, and then you have to
parallel with that, the financial systems to
support it,” he argued.
In the meantime, the Prime Minister
expressed gratitude to the British govern-
ment for funding the Essex Valley Devel-
opment project, stating that any investment
in agriculture will propel the country to eco-
nomic independence.
“Let me say thanks to the British gov-
ernment for its consideration and funding
this project through the United Kingdom
Caribbean Infrastructure Partnership Fund
(UKCIF). This is the kind of support that is
going to move the needle,” Mr. Holness
said.
The Essex Valley development is being
funded through a grant of £35.5 million
from the UKCIF, which is administered by
the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB).
In addition to improving irrigation sys-
tems, the project entails other components
to boost agriculture in Essex Valley.
These include training for farmers and
other stakeholders in food-safety standards
and climate-smart agriculture practices; de-
sign and construction of a photovoltaic plant
to power the irrigation system and related
administrative buildings; financing for a cli-
mate vulnerability assessment study to en-
hance the sustainability of the systems
developed under the project; development
of guidelines to support the participation of
men, women, youth and persons with dis-
abilities; and an operational plan to enhance
the viability and sustainability of the facili-
ties and services.
Ground was also broken for the devel-
opment of six irrigation wells that will sup-
ply water for the project.
JAN-FEB 2019 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • 7
LAND ISSUES
KINGSTON:
T here remains divided opinion in the
legal community over whether the lim-
itation period for a squatter qualifying to
apply for a registered title should be short-
ened or extended.
However, there is unison that there
needs to be urgent land reform to reflect
modern realities in Jamaica.
The issue of land ownership in Ja-
maica remains extremely contentious and
is a major source of litigation both in the
parish courts and the Supreme Court.
Currently, for private lands, a squatter
under certain circumstances is able to dis-
possess the registered owner after a period
of twelve years, while for government
lands this period is sixty years.
Attorney-at-Law Anthony Williams
argues that the 12-year time period is too
short and this should have been amended
to 20 years a long time ago.
Attorney-at-Law Gloria Brown agrees
reform is needed but has taken the opposite
view in terms of the 12-year period.
She argued that abandonment is a se-
rious problem in Jamaica and extending
this 12-year period will not stop it.
8 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • JAN-FEB 2019 WWW.THEAGRICULTURALIST.COM

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NEWS
Bernard Lodge farmers yet Who is Dermon
to be involved in talks about Luke Spence?
proposed land developments By Patrick Maitland
Editor-The Agriculturalist
BERNARD LODGE:

D S
espite the government stating that
stakeholder consultations are being
held in relation to development of the
Bernard Lodge lands in St. Catherine,
farmers on the property say they are yet to
be included in the discussions.
The 4,700 acres of former cane lands
are to be transformed into an urban com-
munity which would include 17,000 hous-
ing solutions, commercial offices, schools,
and light industrial facilities, with space for
agricultural production.
The farmers, who call themselves The
Bernard Lodge Farmers Group, wrote to
Prime Minister Andrew Holness on De-
cember 27, calling for a halt to the plans
until proper consultations are held with
stakeholders.
The letter was sent following a meet-
ing of the more than 60 members of the
group which was attended by representa-
tives of several other interest groups and
political representatives.
There has been no response yet from
the government.
Hugh Johnson, President of the Small
Business Association of Jamaica, who has
been designated the group's spokesperson
and who also has a farm at Bernard Lodge,
said apart from the fact that the govern-
ment has not had consultations with the
stakeholders about the planned develop-
Hugh Johnson, President
Small Businesses Association
of Jamaica
ments, there are other factors which cause
concern.
"We believe that we should not, at this
juncture, go against the expert advice in es-
tablishing a city there when our under-
ground water for the area is threatened by
that proposal, employment of over a thou-
sand persons is also threatened by that,
(and) the environmental impact as it relates
to existing inhabitants of Portmore," he
noted.
trategic development specialist and agri-
cultural administrator, Dermon Luke
Spence, has been appointed Permanent Sec-
retary in the Ministry of Industry, Com-
merce, Agriculture and Fisheries (MICAF),
effective January 2, 2019.
Mr. Spence has been described as an ex-
perienced executive with a proven record of
success in strategic corporate planning, man-
agement, marketing, and business develop-
ment. His professional career start spans
some 32 years, including time as a high
school teacher, farm manager, lecturer, edu-
cator, researcher, consultant, and adminis-
trator.
He had served as Chief Technical Di-
rector at MICAF since January 2014 and
provided technical advice to the Permanent
Secretary and Minister on agricultural issues
and other related technical matters and pre-
pared technical papers as required. He was
also very active in the day-to-day manage-
Dermon Luke Spence
ment of the Ministry, providing leadership in
Permanent Secretary, MICAF
the development and implementation of
change initiatives.
Mr. Spence recently completed a one- Hospitality Institute (Chairman); Rural Agri-
year assignment at the Office of the Prime cultural Development Authority; Cannabis
Minister where he led the strategic coordi- Licensing Authority; Fisheries Management
nation and implementation of the merger of and Development Fund; National Compli-
ance Regulatory Authority; College of Agri-
the HEART Trust NTA, the National Youth
culture, Science and Education, and
Service, the Jamaica Lifelong Learning and
the Apprenticeship Board. Southern Regional Health Authority.
He served more than 15 years at the His formal education includes a Master
HEART Trust/NTA in several capacities, in- of Science (MSc.), and Bachelor of Science
cluding National Programmes Director, sen- (BSc.), General Agriculture from University
ior director, and manager of the Ebony Park of the West Indies (UWI), St. Augustine,

Government to Academy.
Mr. Spence served on several corporate
and public sector boards, including Western
Trinidad, as well as an Associate of Science
(ASc.) from the College of Agriculture, Sci-
ence & Education (CASE).

remove GCT on eggs Spence replaces Stanberry

A griculture Minister Audley Shaw says
the government will be removing the
General Consumption Tax (GCT) on table
eggs amid complaints about the crippling
effects it is having on the industry.
Shaw made the disclosure at the As-
sociation's 18th annual general meeting,
held recently in Ocho Rios, St. Ann. How-
ever, the Minister did not provide any
timeline when the tax will be removed.
JCF setting up Agricultural
President of the Jamaica Egg Farmers'
Association, Roy Baker, says the GCT,
which was implemented in 2012, has cre-
ated disparities in the industry.
He also believes that removing the
GCT will spur growth in the industry.
However, Baker agrees that the Gov-
ernment needs revenue and believes it
should instead tax egg powder among
other options.
Continued from page 1
The appointment was confirmed and ac-
knowledged by portfolio Minister Audley
Shaw and Prime Minister Andrew Holness at
the recent launch of the Essex Valley Agri-
culture Development project in St Elizabeth.
Holness also expressed full confidence
in Spence, noting that he regards him as a
“diligent professional.”
President of the Jamaica Agricultural
Society (JAS), Lenworth Fulton, described
Spence as a “very committed and strategic
thinker” who will create strong partnerships
with the government and with the private
sector to enhance the slumping Jamaican
while turning our national vision into real-
ity,” Spence told The Agriculturalist.
Spence’s professional career spans
some 32 years, including stints as a high
school teacher, farm manager, lecturer, edu-
cator, researcher, consultant, and administra-
tor.
He has served as Chief Technical Di-
rector at MICAF since January 2014 and was
seconded to Office of the Prime Minister for
a two-year assignment merger of the HEART
Trust NTA, the National Youth Service, the
Jamaica Lifelong Learning and the Appren-
ticeship Board. However, he completed the
technical components of the assignment

Produce Protection Division agricultural sector.

T he Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF)
will be establishing an Agricultural Pro-
duce Protection Division as part of efforts to
intensify the clampdown on praedial larceny.
The Praedial Larceny Prevention Unit
will be subsumed under this division.
J.C. Hutchinson, Minister without Port-
folio in the Ministry of Agriculture and Fish-
eries, said the division will boost
law-enforcement focus on the myriad of is-
sues affecting the agricultural sector.
It will be based at the JCF's Operations
Branch. Mr. Hutchinson made the disclo-
sure while addressing members of the JCF
and farmers at a Praedial Larceny Preven-
tion workshop at the Medallion Hall Hotel
in Kingston on Wednesday.
In the meantime, Mr. Hutchinson reit-
erated that the Ministry of Agriculture is pro-
posing amendments to the Agricultural
Produce Act and Praedial Larceny Preven-
tion Act.
Spence said he was very humbled and
honoured to be afforded the opportunity to
serve as the permanent secretary in the is-
land’s largest ministry, which includes pro-
ducing food and facilitating trade and
industries.
“My vast experience in international ne-
gotiations and trade, as well as strategic pro-
duction systems management, prepares me
for the tasks ahead. I am therefore guided to
serve in multiple sectors creating sustainable
growth to better the lives of all Jamaicans
within one year.
His formal education includes a Master
of Science and Bachelor of Science in Gen-
eral Agriculture from the University of the
West Indies, as well as an Associate of Sci-
ence from the College of Agriculture, Sci-
ence & Education.
Spence replaced Donovan Stanberry
who had been the permanent secretary for
some 13 years. Stanberry, in an email to his
colleagues at the Ministry, said he would be
on secondment to the University of the West
Indies, Mona.
10 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • JAN-FEB 2019 WWW.THEAGRICULTURALIST.COM
WWW.THEAGRICULTURALIST.COM JAN-FEB 2019 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • 11

Obituaries
Veteran Agriculturalist The Board, Management and Staff of the
National Irrigation Commission (NIC)
Pays Tribute to the Founding Chairman,
Dr Garnet Brown died Rev. Dr. the Hon Garnet Brown, OJ, CD, JP

R etired public servant and agriculturalist

Dr. Garnet Brown died Jan. 19 at his St
Limited, merging four previously existing
non-performing Irrigation Bodies; founding R ev. Dr. Brown is a son of St. Ann, born January 21, 1936
in Fort George. He attended Holmwood Technical
High School and the then Jamaica School of Agricul-
Andrew home after a short illness. He was Executive Chairman/Dean of Management
83. Institute for National Development (MIND), ture and several Universities including University
Dr. Brown recently completed a five- successfully joining four prior existing Gov- of New Brunswick, Yale University, Oxford Uni-
year contract with the Ministry of Industry, ernment Training Institute and founder of versity and the Caribbean Graduate School of
Commerce, Agriculture, and Fisheries to ra- the Natural Resources Conservation De- Theology.
tionalize several commodity boards (Coffee, partment (NRCD), forerunner of the Natu- In the Irrigation Sector, he will always be
Cocoa, Coconut and Spices) to establish the ral Resources Conservation Authority, by remembered as a pioneer who has positively in-
Jamaica Agricultural Commodities Regula- merging four previously existing agencies fluenced virtually every area of the Industry.
tory Authority. into one efficient organization. He can truly be described as a visionary with
Dr. Brown served some 40 years in the His academic credentials include B.Sc. an excellent mind, a sharp wit, and someone
public service, with various scientific, man- (New Brunswick); M.Sc. (Yale); M.A., with much simple common sense who per-
agerial and leadership capacities, including M.Div. (Caribbean Graduate School of The- formed his duties diligently, with kindness and
the development of numerous public sector ology); Ph.D. (Oxford), plus Post-doctoral understanding, yet with gentle firmness.
entities. He was the founding Executive Studies. He was compassionate without bending the
Chairman of the Rural Agricultural Devel- Dr. Brown was awarded membership in rules and regulations, and above all, managed
opment Authority (RADA), successfully the Order of Jamaica for exceptional and ex- without fear or favour.
merging 13 previously existing Agricultural emplary service to agriculture. Two daugh- Rev. Dr. Brown will be remembered for his vi-
Land Authorities into one national organi- ters survive Dr. Brown. sion of conceptualizing and implementing such a wide
zation. His funeral will be held on January 31 range of Public Sector bodies, and in particular, the National
He is also founding Executive Chair- at the University Chapel at The University Irrigation Commission Limited, which brought to an end, a fragmented Irrigation Sec-
man of the National Irrigation Commission of the West Indies, Mona.
tor in Jamaica. As founding Chairman of the NIC, he served from May 26, 1987 to
December 2005 and kept in constant contact until his passing.
Obituaries Rev. Dr. Brown, though retired from the Public Sector, continued to give yeoman
service to his country in his capacity as Minister of Religion within the Jamaica Dis-
• Nadine Pryce Former National Farm Queen and a lecturer at the Knox Community trict of the Methodist Church in the Caribbean and the Americas (MCCA).
College. She is a graduateof CASE.. May his soul rest in peace.
• Errol Webley worked for four years as an Agronomist with the Sugar Industry Research Sadly missed by the NIC family.
Institute prior to migrating, along with his family, to the USA. Webley is a graduate of the
former Jamaica School of Agriculture in 1977.
• Sean ‘Fat Fibre’ Hylton died recently after suffering a massive heart attack. He was
employed as a teacher of Chemistry and Physics at the Knox College, He is a member of
the CASE graduating class of 1991. Send info: editor@theagriculturalist.com

TRIBUTE TO THE LATE

DR. THE REV. DR. HON. GARNET BROWN
T he staff of the Jamaica Agricultural Commodities
Regulatory Authority (JACRA) is grateful for the
invaluable work of the late Rev. Dr. Garnet Brown in
the amalgamation of the Coffee Industry Board,
Cocoa Industry Board, the Regulatory arm of the Co-
conut Industry Board and the Export Division of the
Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and
Fisheries into one regulatory organization, JACRA.
As a minister of the gospel, Rev. Dr. Brown al-
ways commenced his meetings with a prayer seeking
God’s direction and wisdom to guide the gathering
and the decisions made.
Rev. Dr. Brown was a visionary, he was meticu-
lous in his approach, always seeking out critical in-
formation which was considered vital to making an
organization workable.
He had such great foresight and insight hence he
never left anything to chance.
Rev. Dr. Brown had a wealth of knowledge on
various subjects. The discourse in those meetings al-
ways had an element of teaching from which the Or-
ganization benefitted.
Rev. Dr. Brown knew how to engage his audi-
ence even in those high-tensioned meetings when
hard decisions had to be made, and emotions of some
staff escalated, he would interject with a humorous
comment or an exchange that would inevitably dif-
fuse the tension and helped to realign the focus of all.
He was a mentor to us –as the plans were being
made to establish JACRA, Rev. Dr. Brown would
often take the opportunity to guide us on how to ap-
proach and handle certain matters as a new corporate
body.
He made it possible for several members of
JACRA to garner experience in the conduct of Union
and Industrial Relations matters as some of the
changes in the merger involved the separation of some
employees.
Dr. Brown was respectful to all -irrespective of
their position in the organization. He would listen
keenly to everyone’s contribution and effortlessly put
each at ease to make his/her input. He never lost the
common human touch.
To his family, we say – JACRA shares in your loss
and thank you for sharing him with us.
Rev. Dr. Garnet Brown has touched and positively
impacted the staff of the JACRA. His legacy will re-
main with the Organization for many years to come.
The Management and Staff, JACRA
Rev. Dr. Garnet Brown, OJ, CD, JP
Dee 21, 1935 - Jan 19, 2019
12 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • NOV-DEC 2018 WWW.THEAGRICULTURALIST.COM

COMMUNITY PHOTOS
COFFEE EXPORTERS:
Minister without Portfolio in the
Ministry of Economic Growth and
Job Creation, Daryl Vaz (right,
standing), observes as President
of Jamaica Promotions Corpora-
tion (JAMPRO), Diane Edwards
(second left, seated), signs a
Memorandum of Understanding
(MOU), at the JAMPRO offices in
New Kingston on January 4. Also
signing (from left) are Chairman
of the Jamaica Agricultural Com-
modities Regulatory Authority
(JACRA), Dennis Booth and
Chairman of the Jamaica Coffee
Exporters Association (JCEA),
Norman Grant. Standing (at left)
is Permanent Secretary in the
Ministry of Industry, Commerce,
Agriculture and Fisheries, Der-
mon Spence.
PHOTO: MARK BELL

Coffee Festival set for March 1-3

Member of Parliament for St. Andrew East Rural, Juliet Holness
and Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett, sample coffee at the
recent launch of the Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee Festival, at
the Jamaica Pegasus hotel, New Kingston. MICAF in collabora-
tion with the Ministry of Tourism will host the Coffee Festival set
for March 1-3, 2019 at The Jamaica Defence Force training
grounds, Newcastle, St Andrew. The festival will celebrate, pro-
mote and market Jamaican culinary products and coffee.
CERTIFIED TO EXPORT:
Some 19 farmers in Southern Manchester are now certified to export various crops to interna-
tional markets, under the good agricultural practices programme, GLOBALGAP. The farmers who
are based at the New Forest/Duff House Agro-Park, display their certificates on Friday (Novem-
ber 16), during a ceremony held at the facility, which followed a series of training.

INVESTOR CIRCLE MICRO-GRANT:

Bee farmer and Jamaica Agriculture Task Force (JDAT) Investor
Circle micro grant recipient, Patricia Parchment (r), accepting
her award from JDAT Investor Circle local coordinator, Onyije
Chigozili, during a presentation ceremony at recently the Den-
bigh Agricultural Showground in Clarendon, Jamaica WI.
EGG FARMERS MEETING:
Director Howard Paulwell speaking at the Jamaica Egg Farmers Association 18th annual general
meeting held in Ocho Rios, St. Ann, on January 9, 2019. Among the topics discussed were the
glut that was experienced by egg farmers in 2018 and the need for the removal of GCT on eggs.
WWW.THEAGRICULTURALIST.COM
Blue Mountain Coffee Day - January 9
By Kimmy Blair
Writer-The Agriculturalist
T he Jamaica Coffee Exporters
Association along with its over
7,000 coffee farmers in association
with the Jamaica Agricultural Com-
modities Regulatory Authority
(JACRA) celebrate Jamaica Blue
Mountain Coffee Day on January 9,
2019.
Jamaica’s coffee industry is
one of the country’s most important
sub-sectors, touching the lives of
102,000 farm families and generat-
ing approximately US $25 million
annually.
Eighty five per cent of produc-
tion is generated by small farmers,
with the Japanese market absorbing
70 per cent of Jamaica’s premium
Blue Mountain coffee exports,
widely regarded as the best coffee in
the world. The USA imports 20 per-
cent and Europe and the rest of the
world 10 percent.
The celebration of Jamaican
Blue Mountain Coffee Day comes
against the background of Japan leg-
islating that January 9 be pro-
claimed Jamaica Blue Mountain
Coffee Day in Japan in recognition
‘Best tasting coffee’
T he Jamaican coffee industry
has become a world-famous
brand which is as synonymous
with Jamaica as is reggae music to
our beloved island.
Indeed, for more than 50
years Jamaica has been exporting
the Blue Mountain Coffee to
places such as Japan. Coffee ex-
ports have been robust for several
years and has contributed signifi-
cantly to Jamaica’s economy.
The Japanese market is re-
sponsible for some 70% of our cof-
fee export from which the country
earned US$25 Million annually
over the last five years. For the
Japanese consumers, they would
be benefiting from having the
lion’s share of the best tasting cof-
fee being produced anywhere in
the world. It is therefore an excel-
lent mutually beneficial relation-
ship between Jamaica and Japan.
A very famous Japanese wine
sommelier, Mr. Shinya Tasaki said
that Jamaica’s Blue Mountain Cof-
fee had a “good balance of flavour
accentuated with a fresh acidic
taste. Just like wine, the coffee
beans flavour changes based on the
soil and climatic conditions in
which they are grown.”
Blue Mountain Coffee is un-
like any other. It is unique and is
incomparable. It has withstood the
test of time and like fine wine, gets
better with age. The aroma brings
many together and Japan import-
ing our coffee throughout the years
shows a demonstration of its faith
and confidence in this strong Ja-
NOV-DEC 2018 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • 13
Jamaica and Japan Celebrate
of that date when the largest ship-
ment of Jamaica Blue Mountain
Coffee left Kingston to Japan in
1967, following the first direct ship-
ment from Jamaica to Japan in
March 1953.
Chairman of the Jamaica Cof-
fee Exporters Association, Norman
Grant says that “the mission of the
Jamaica Coffee Exporters Associa-
tion, in tandem with the various
stakeholders is to grow and rede-
velop the Jamaica, coffee industry
through increased production and
productivity of our farmers, sustain-
able prices, brand development and
expansion and market development
and diversification.
The celebration of Jamaica
Blue Mountain Coffee Day in Ja-
maica and Japan is part of this ini-
tiative.
Among our objectives is
to market Jamaica Blue Mountain
Coffee to the over 4.3 million
tourists that visit our country annu-
ally, as well as to expand the Ja-
maica Blue Mountain brand
globally and the refreshing of the
brand which we believe will stimu-
COFFEE DAY CELEBRATION:
late demand for JBM Coffee.” Jamaica Coffee Exporters Association executives Jason Sharp (director) (1st l) and Norman
Grant (chairman) and Jamaican Ambassodor to Japan Ricardo Allicock (2nd l) at the recent
launch of Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee Day in Tokyo, Japan. Grant said that as part of the Ja-
maica Coffee Exporters strategy to develop the Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee brand and ex-
pand the market: "We are now seeking the engagement of over 25 million coffee stakeholders
globally to join Jamaica in celebrating the finest coffee in the world.”
By Andrew Holness
Prime Minister, Jamaica
maican Brand. This partnership
with Japan will continue to be
strengthened.
However, our Blue Mountain
brand has come under pressure
caused by several issues locally
and international which include
crop disruption and brand piracy.
As a Government we have taken
steps to ensure the Blue Mountain
Coffee brand remains strong.
It is with tremendous pride
that I greet the news of the honour
being bestowed on this truly, 100%
Jamaican product. The celebration
of January 9, 2019 as Jamaican
Blue Mountain Coffee Day in
Japan is a big moment.
We are honoured that Jamaica
has been chosen for this celebra-
tion.
14 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • JAN-FEB 2019
Nigeria Loses $9b Annually On Poor Agri Investment
By The Eagle Online
Ado Ekiti, Nigerian:
T he Federal Government on Sunday said it
was losing 9 billion dollars (N3.2 trillion)
annually due to poor investment in agriculture
before the present administration came to
power.
The Minister of State for Agriculture,
Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, disclosed this at
Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, at a re-
ception and lunch in his honour by founder of
the university, Chief Afe Babalola (SAN).
Lokpobiri said: “Before President Buhari
came, Nigeria was losing $9 billion revenue
earnings annually in agriculture sector.”
The minister said Nigeria was also los-
ing over 240 metric tonnes of fish production
in the world market that could have increased
foreign earnings and boosted the economy be-
fore the advent of President Muhammadu
Buhari’s led administration.
Philippines reclaims second spot
as second biggest banana exporter
I n its preliminary market review report,
the United Nations’s Food and Agricul-
ture Organization (FAO) estimated that
Philippine banana exports last year ex-
panded by 77.34 percent to an all-time high
of 2.95 million metric tons, from a
recorded volume of 1.663 MMT in 2017.
Meaning the Philippines has re-
claimed its position as the second-largest
exporter of bananas in the world, but Fil-
ipino growers urged the government to
provide more support to maintain the
stature, amid tightening competition with
South American producers according to
businessmirror.com.
“Banana production in the Philippines
was affected by a series of adverse condi-
tions between 2015 and 2017, in response
to which significant investments were
made in area expansion, new technologies
and improved inputs,” FAO said in the re-
port published recently.
“Thanks to the strong performance in
2018, the Philippines regained its place as
second-largest supplier of bananas behind
WTO sides with U.S. on Chinese ag subsidies
By Brian German/AgNet West
T he World Trade Organization (WTO)
will be announcing its decision regard-
ing Chinese agriculture subsidies in the
coming weeks and is expected to rule in
favor of U.S. For many years the Chinese
government purchased domestic corn, cot-
ton, and soybeans at levels that exceeded
those permitted under WTO rules.
According to Politico, the confidential
ruling was already shown to the interested
parties last month and a general public an-
nouncement is expected by March.
Chinese agriculture subsidies Domestic
agricultural support in China is primarily
WORLD AFFAIRS
Heineken Lokpobiri
Nigerian Minister of State for
Agriculture and Rural Development
Ecuador, at a volume share of 16 percent
of global shipments,” it added.
The output recovery of the Philip-
pines, which accounts for about 90 percent
China surpassed the
permitted amount
for ag subsidies by more
than $100 billion in 2015.
provided by price support and government
procurement.
The Chinese government buys crops
when prices fall to a government-announced
minimum, inflating the price of certain Chi-
nese commodities and distorting market
conditions to appear as though Chinese
farmers should increase production.
He said: “In Nigeria, we are not producing
enough fish to feed our population, that is why
we are relying heavily on importation.
“The deficit between demand and supply was
2.5 million metric tonnes annually; this is
about 320 containers.
“You can imagine the quantum of rev-
enue we lost to low production in this sector
alone.
“Knowing that our products were being
taken to other West African nations to be
processed and rebranded, we introduced cer-
tification policy for all our products in order to
have right and proper certificates for our prod-
ucts and in order not to affect the Gross Do-
mestic Products negatively.
“When I visited Belgium, the Minister of
Agriculture there told me the country’s annual
revenue earning in agriculture sector was 35
billion Euros. This is a country with less than
five million population. “He further told me
of the total Asian banana exports, boosted
the region’s shipments, which grew by 70
percent in 2018 to 3.2 MMT, from 1.9
MMT in 2017, according to FAO.
In an article that was recently pub-
lished in the Review of International Politi-
cal Economy, the claim was made that
“China has emerged as the world’s largest
subsidizer, profoundly transforming the
global politics of agricultural subsidies.”
A case was brought to the WTO in 2016
when the U.S. made the claim that China ex-
ceeded the permissible international limits
for domestic support.
U.S. Trade Representative at the time,
Michael Froman alleged that China sur-
passed the permitted amount for ag subsidies
by more than $100 billion in 2015. In the
last few years, China has been working to
adjust its subsidy programs. Minimum
WWW.THEAGRICULTURALIST.COM
that the difference between agriculture in
Africa and the West is Technology and inno-
vation. “That was why the Federal Govern-
ment in partnership with the world bank,
earmarked 250 million dollars to train young
graduates in agribusiness.
“Our universities must pay attention to
technology and innovation. They must emu-
late what ABUAD is doing in agriculture sec-
tor, because I wonder what would happen to
us in future if we cannot feed just 180 million
population.”
“We are proud to say that ABUAD has
become the pride of the nation. It is setting the
standard for food security in Nigeria. All these
accounted for why President Muhammadu
Buhari said we must produce what we eat. He
reduced taxes in agriculture to attract in-
vestors to Nigeria. We are also taking prag-
matic steps to increase productivity in the
sector.”
The rise in the Philippines’s exports
coupled by the steady increment of
Ecuador’s banana supply, will drive global
shipments to a record-high volume of
19.205 MMT,. Ecuador’s banana exports
in 2018 was projected to increase by 3.6
percent to 6.646 MMT, from 6.415 MMT
in 2017, according to FAO.
The increase in the country’s ship-
ments would mean “higher revenues, more
employment and bigger contribution to the
[country’s] gross domestic product,” ac-
cording to the Pilipino Banana Growers &
Exporters Association Inc. (PBGEA).
“Hopefully, we will be able to sustain
good production this year. More so if we
improve pest and disease management,”
PBGEA Executive Director Stephen A.
Antig told the BusinessMirror in an inter-
view. Antig said the country’s exports
could decline if output is affected by “de-
structive typhoons and other disturbances,”
that could cause outbreak of diseases.
prices for rice were reduced for the first time
in 2017, followed by further cuts in rice and
wheat prices last year.
The issue of Chinese agriculture subsi-
dies was also addressed in the Priority Rec-
ommendations for U.S.-China Trade
Negotiations from the U.S. Chamber of
Commerce and American Chamber of Com-
merce in China. The report states that
“China provides massive subsidies…that
distort domestic and global competition in
favor of Chinese national/global champi-
ons.” The report suggests that China resolve
the issue by removing “subsidies and mar-
ket distortions through a State Council/Party
proclamation and under strict timelines.”
WWW.THEAGRICULTURALIST.COM
Tourism and Agriculture Ministries Open Linkage Centre to Assist Farmers:
Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett (3rd l) and President, Jamaica Agricultural Society, Lenworth Fulton (1st l), sample
strawberries provided by farmer, Anipe Cripps (2nd l), at the official opening of the Agri-Linkage Exchange Centre at the
Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) St. Andrew Parish Office, located on Old Hope Road, on Wednesday (De-
cember 12). Chief Executive Officer, RADA, Peter Thompson looks on.
Success in Agriculture
Best Quality for Life
J ennifer Jones, Entrepreneur, mother of
three (3) hails from Fair Prospect, Port-
land. In 2013, she turned her love for nature
and a desire to improve the health and well-
ness of her family into a family business that
is “Nature’s Premium.
The business is home based in Fair
Prospect, Portland and makes innovative Ja-
maican health & wellness products. Jennifer
originally started her project focusing on ex-
tract from coconut to make the Extra Virgin
Coconut Oil. This concept expanded to nat-
ural handmade body soaps , hair treatments
air purifiers and unique functional crafts
made from the coconut shells.
In May 2015 – her business won her
first place in the National Housing Trust En-
trepreneurial Challenge in the category of
“Established Business with Potential for
Growth”
In her quest to improve her knowledge
and the quality of her products; she has par-
ticipated in a wide range of training work-
shops with the RADA through its Social
Services and Home Economics Unit, these
include:
• Business Development & Management
• Bar Soap Making
• Capacity Building Development
Jennifer is also an active member in her
community; she supports the local farmers,
is an executive member of the Fair Prospect
Gardens Association and is currently work-
ing on the community’s composting project
with the Youth Environmental Club. Her en-
thusiasm for Community & Youth Develop-
ment has pushed her to venture into Green
House Farming which is geared towards
training in technology and provision of
The Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) Email: executive@rada.gov.jm 876-977-1158-62 Fax: 876-970-4660
JAN-FEB 2019 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • 15
healthy crops for the schools and community
members, while generating an income.
RADA promotes and markets the Na-
ture Premium Brand at expositions and more
importantly sales are facilitated at the
RADA Agrimart Store. For this and other
uniquely Jamaica products you may visit
RADA Agrimart at 191 Old Hope Road (ad-
jacent to Jamaica College) or call us at 876-
927-1204.
Jennifer Jones
Owner Nature’s Premium
Best Quality for Life
Rev. Dr. the Hon. Garnet Brown, O.J,
C.D., J.P., Dip. in Agriculture,
B.Sc., M.Sc., M.A., M.Div., PhD
T he National Board of Directors, Chief
Executive Officer, and Management of
the Rural Agricultural Development Au-
thority extend profound regret at the passing
of Dr. the Rev. Garnett Brown.
Dr. Garnet Brown will be remembered
as the ‘Founding Father of RADA,’ one of
the leading pioneers of the organization
who presided at its birth and under whose
expert leadership, successfully navigated
RADA through the exciting but turbulent
currents of its formative years.
Dr. Brown simultaneously served as
the Authority’s Executive Director (1990 –
1993) and Chairman of its National Board
(1990-1991). Hallmarks of his tenure at
RADA were the fostering of inter-agency
collaborations with other agencies in the
quest for rural development and the provi-
sion of the first fleet of motor vehicles for
the extension staff.
Reputed for sound leadership and vi-
sion, Dr. Brown was also the founding fa-
ther of the National Irrigation Commission
(NIC), Management Institute for National
Development (MIND), Natural Resources
Conservation Authority (NRCA), Concep-
tualizer and Monitoring Consultant for the
National Irrigation Development Pro-
gramme (NIDP), Permanent Secretary in
the Ministry of Mining and Natural Re-
sources, Member of the Founding Direc-
torate of the Jamaica Bureau of Standards
and the second Chairman of the Board of
the Standards Council (BSJ).
Within the global arena, Dr. Brown
was the first Jamaican Director of the Inter-
national Bauxite Association. He was a
Senior Consultant to the United Nations De-
velopment Programme, a Senior Consultant
to the World Bank and visiting professor in
International Resource Management at Yale
University.
In the later years, Dr. Brown charted
the development of yet another Agency, the
Jamaica Agricultural Commodities Regula-
tory Authority (JACRA). His unstinting
service to organizational development and
structural realignment reached the highest
level of professional excellence.
We join with his family in thoughts of
comfort and peace during this difficult time.
May his soul Rest in Peace.
16 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • JAN-FEB 2019
Coffee Lizer: Precisely Blended to Perfection
By Melvin Henry
Technical Manager
Newport Fersan (JA.) Ltd.
N ewport-Fersan (Jamaica) Limited
(NFJ) in answering to the need for bet-
ter soil care for our coffee farmers developed
a specialized blend of fertilizer called “Cof-
fee Lizer.”
We are particularly proud of our Coffee
Lizer because we created a targeted product
for the coffee sector, geared towards giving
our farmers a better option, with the right
nutrients to be applied at the right time and
at the right rate.
It is a product that was designed to pre-
vent and correct soil nutrient deficiency
when used as a part of a balanced fertilizer
program; an approach that is in keeping with
our Precise Nutrient Management System
(PNMS) which seeks to deliver only the re-
quired amount of nutrients to the crop.
Research
Having the privilege of working with
the Jamaican coffee farmers for over a
decade, NFJ had the opportunity to identify
some of the major challenges that the coffee
sector faced. One such challenge had to do
with the overall nutritional status of the soil
in the major coffee growing areas.
Our research and findings spanned
three years which were derived from farm
visits, soil testing and the results obtained
from the tests. The analyses from extensive
sampling showed significant deficiencies in
Calcium and Magnesium as well as Boron
and Zinc.
We also took into consideration that
hilly terrains and high precipitation caused
soil erosion and significant loss of organic
matter. It is known, Nitrogen is highly
volatile and is easily leeched, and therefore
it is important that the plant which is a
perennial crop gets the element of Nitrogen
that is suitable throughout its lifecycle.
What is in the bag?
In order to achieve greater level of pro-
ductivity all essential nutrition elements
must be present. Whilst the mega nutrients
(Carbon, Hydrogen and Oxygen) are readily
accessible from the air and soil water Cof-
fee Lizer has both macro (primary and sec-
ondary) and micro nutrients which are
broken down as follows:
The primary macronutrients are Nitro-
gen (N), Prosperous (P) and Potassium
(K). The secondary macronutrients are Cal-
cium (Ca), Magnesium (Mg) and Sulphur
(S). The micronutrients are Zinc (ZN), and
Boron (B). These essential nutrients play a
critical role throughout the lifecycle of the
crop.
FERSAN’s Coffee Lizer (14 – 7 – 21 –
S + Mg (DDP) + Ca (DDP) + Zn + B
(DDP) + HA) was formulated in response to
findings about the general trends relating to
nutrient deficiencies. There are several dis-
tinct features of the Coffee Lizer blend when
compared to traditional blends, these in-
clude: rapid and slow-release Nitrogen
which caters to the need for Nitrogen over
both a shorter and longer period; Magne-
sium and Calcium which addresses yellow-
ing of the leaves; Boron and Zinc which is
important for fruit set and elongation of
stems. It must be noted that the DDP formu-
lation is our patented technology which is
designed to coat every prill/grain of the
WWW.THEAGRICULTURALIST.COM
NPK. This allows for a more homogenous
spread of the fertilizer which is also more
bioavailable. The Humic Acid as our or-
ganic matter improves the water holding ca-
pacity of the soil and general soil structure.
Four (4) R’s
To ensure the best results for any crop,
the correct application of fertilizer is re-
quired. At NFJ we preach the 4 Rs’: The
right source which speaks to the formulation
of the blend; in the case of Coffee Lizer it is
14 – 7 – 21 – S + Mg(DDP)+Ca(DDP +
Zn(DDP)+B(DDP)+HA.
We recommend eight (8) ounces of
Coffee Lizer per tree per year and this we
call the right rate. The right time to apply
fertilizer is four (4) ounces per tree before
flowering and four (4) ounces per tree during
fruit development. The right place to apply
the fertilizer is in a shallow furrow around
the tree along the outer edges of the canopy
which is also called the ‘leaf drip circle.’ If
applying on a hill, the fertilizer should be
placed in a semi-circle inside the slope.
FERSAN’s Coffee-Lizer is designed
for application to coffee trees for the pre-
vention and correction of soil nutrient
deficiency when used as part of a bal-
anced fertility program. Optimum rate of
application will vary depending on proper-
ties (such as pH, organic matter, texture,
weather conditions, time of year, general
crop health and crop species. For best re-
sults, follow soil test or plant analysis rec-
ommendation.
Contact us at 967-5815 ext: 2226.
WWW.THEAGRICULTURALIST.COM JAN-FEB 2019 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • 17

WE HAVE A WINNER!
The Hi-Pro Christmas Countdown is over but for
Grand Prize Winner Oschia Kenton, the excitement
has just begun, as she drives away in a brand
new 2019 Toyota Rav 4! A big Hi-Pro THANK YOU
to everyone who entered for a chance to win a
share of over $10Million in prizes this year. To our
winners, clients, customers, farmers and Jamaicans
everywhere...we wish you a New Year Full of Growth!

Mr. Christopher Levy, President and CEO of the Jamaica Broilers Group (3rd right), congratulates our Grand Prize Winner, Oschia Kenton (centre). Joining them are Mr. Jaimie Ogilvie,
Assistant Vice President, Hi-Pro (left), Mrs. Rose Bennett of Bennett’s Farmstore (2nd left), Oschia’s mother, Ms. Claudette Forsythe-Kenton (3rd left), Oschia’s daughter, Shanessa Evans
(4th left), General Sales and Marketing Manager of Toyota Jamaica, Mr. Howard Foster (2nd right) and Hi-Pro Technical Service Representative, Mr. Clinton Wilson (right). Parked behind
them is Oschia’s grand prize, a 2019 Toyota Rav4.

Grand prize winner of the Hi-Pro

Christmas Countdown Oschia Kenton
(second left) with her daughter Shanessa
Evans (third left), happily accepts her
keys from Jaimie Ogilvie, Hi-Pro’s
Assistant Vice President (third right).
Sharing the moment are Rose Bennett
of Bennett’s Farm Store (left), Clinton
Wilson, Hi-Pro Technical Service
Representative (right) and Marlene
Harrison, Hi-Pro Telesales Representative.

Congrats to our final $200,000 & $50,000 winners...

Hi-Pro team members: Nigel Alexander (left), Technical Service Representative and Latoya Hi-Pro representatives Kirk Pennant (left); Kareece Ramocan (second left) present a $50,000
Gordon (centre), Telesales Representative excitedly present Tresha-Gaye Clacken (right) with a voucher to Oneil Grant, one of the final week winners in the Hi-Pro Christmas Countdown.
voucher for $200,000. Ms. Clacken is the December winner in the Hi-Pro Christmas Countdown. Looking on are Donna Walters (second right), proprietor of Waves Farm Store and Marlon Gordon,
Technical Sales Agronomist, Hi-Pro.
18 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • JAN-FEB 2019 WWW.THEAGRICULTURALIST.COM

‘Eat what we grow… Grow what we eat’

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

We call it the ‘greenhouse revolution’ – helping to feed

Noranda Jamaica Bauxite Partners

Browns Town, St Ann, Jamaica WI. • 876-725-2880 • www.norandaalumina.com
WWW.THEAGRICULTURALIST.COM
The U.S. Won't Legalize
Marijuana in 2019!
By Sean Williams (TMFUltraLong)
T he legal cannabis industry had itself a
year to remember in 2018. Although
marijuana stocks were a mixed bag, the weed
industry gained validation like never before
following the legalization of recreational
marijuana in Canada. Rolling out the red car-
pet for cannabis will mean billions of dollars
in added annual revenue, and it demonstrates
that the cannabis industry is in no danger of
disappearing.
There was plenty to cheer about in the
United States, too. President Trump signed
the Farm Bill into law in December, giving
the green light to hemp and hemp-based
cannabidiol, while the Food and Drug Ad-
ministration approved its very first cannabis-
derived drug, and a handful of states
legalized cannabis in some capacity. Today,
roughly two-thirds of U.S. states have legal-
ized medical marijuana, with 10 also allow-
ing adult-use pot.
A black silhouette of the U.S., partially
filled in with cannabis baggies, rolled joints,
and a scale.
Calls for cannabis reform
in the U.S. pick up steam
Despite all of this progress, marijuana re-
mains a Schedule I drug at the federal level.
That means it's wholly illegal, defined as
being prone to abuse, and not recognized as
having any medical benefits. The big ques-
tion is, when does this classification change?
On the surface, there appears to be a ton
of momentum behind reform at the federal
level. An October 2018 survey from Gallup
found that two out of three adults now favor
legalizing weed nationally, up from just 33%
as recently as 2005. In fact, a half-dozen
major polls conducted since January 2018
have found overwhelming support for re-
forming the current cannabis policy.
State-level legalizations have also put
the infrastructure in place in numerous states
that would allow a seamless transition be-
tween an illicit and legal environment. A
handful of states have been retailing adult-
use cannabis for multiple years (e.g., Wash-
ington and Colorado), with more than half of
all states having had medical marijuana legal
for at least two years. Reform at the federal
level wouldn't require a lot of effort from
most states to amend their infrastructure.
In addition, online publication Mari-
juana Moment reported this past Tuesday
that the chair of the House Judiciary Com-
mittee, Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.), foresees
reform coming sooner rather than later. Said
Nadley, "Let me just observe on your time
that we may be discussing that [cannabis re-
form] fairly soon."
About Jamaica’s Regulated
Medicinal Cannabis Industry
T he regulatory framework of Jamaica’s
medicinal cannabis industry has been
crafted specifically to preserve the require-
ments of the United Nation’s Single Conven-
tion on the Narcotic Drugs, 1961 as amended
by the 1972 Protocol amending the Single
Convention on Narcotic Drugs, 1961, The
Convention on Psychotropic Substances,
1971 and, The Convention Against Illicit
Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic
Substances, 1988.
This, in addition to other realities, have
culminated into the establishment of a robust
regulatory mechanism, to ensure the trans-
parency and integrity of operations within the
Industry.
The Dangerous Drugs (Cannabis Li-
censing) (Interim) Regulations, 2016 (“In-
terim Regulations”) stipulate that an applicant
must be deemed “fit and proper” before a li-
cence is issued and failure to meet this re-
quirement will result in that applicant being
disqualified from holding a licence. This de-
termination is based on a very rigorous due
diligence process done with the support of at
least six (6) local and international due dili-
gence partners.
In keeping with Regulation 11 (4) of the
Interim Regulations, the Cannabis Licensing
Authority (CLA) may take into account the
following factors, to determine if a person is
fit and proper:
 whether the person is of good repute, hav-
ing regards to the matters concerning the per-
son's character, honesty and personal and
professional integrity;
 whether the person has the necessary skills
and experience to fulfil their obligations as a
licensee;
 whether the person has sound and stable
sources of financing or is in financial cir-
cumstances which may limit
the person's capacity to fulfil their obligations
as a licensee;
 the person's history of compliance with the
Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Act, 2015;
and
 where the applicant is not a natural person,
for example a company, whether the factors
specified above are met by the persons in ef-
fective control of the operations of the appli-
cant.
Upon receipt of due diligence reports on
all owners and directors related to an appli-
cation, an assessment is conducted to deter-
mine if they satisfy the “fit and proper”
requirements before progressing to the next
stage, which is the conditional approval stage.
If the applicant is deemed “fit and
proper”, Conditional Approval status is
granted, and the applicant must now satisfy
the requirements for their premises or vehi-
cle to be deemed “fit for purpose” in keeping
with the Interim Regulations.
The pace at which an applicant moves
from the conditional approval stage to the li-
cence stage becomes solely dependent on the
timeline within which the applicant satisfies
these requirements. Applicants are given up
to six (6) months to transition from Condi-
tional Approval to becoming a licensee.
It is to be noted however, that Condi-
tional Approval status does not allow appli-
Courtesy of Cannabis Licensing Authority
JAN-FEB 2019 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • 19
cants to conduct business.
When the applicant believes that he/she
have satisfactorily met the requirements at
this stage and the premises or vehicle has
been adequately prepared for inspection, a re-
quest is made in writing to the Authority for
pre-licensing inspection, to establish compli-
ance with the Interim Regulations as well as
determine if same is “fit for purpose.”
Satisfaction of other pre-conditions such
as a permit, non-objection or approval from
the National Environment and Planning
Agency, updated company documents and
identification of proposed downstream buyer
(as stipulated in the conditional approval let-
ter), must also be fulfilled.
Possible delays which may occur
at the conditional approval stage
During the application process, appli-
cants may decide to amend details of their ap-
plications because of internal business
changes, such as changes of company direc-
tors, shareholders or location for operation as
well as acquiring or updating requisite docu-
ments. In such cases, the due diligence or ver-
ification process must be re-done,
automatically triggering a new investigative
process. Consequently, the application will
not progress to the next stage.
Monitoring activities
In addition to enforcing “fit and proper”
and “fit for purpose” requirements, the CLA
performs continuous monitoring, surveillance
and enforcement activities to ensure that li-
censees remain compliant with the terms and
conditions of their licences and the Interim
Regulations. This is to remove possibilities of
diversion from the legal trade into the illegal
trade or inversion from the illegal trade into
the legal medical cannabis industry.
Furthermore, it is a requirement for li-
censees to only trade with other licensees.
This framework is classified as a Closed
Loop System.
Requirements for applicants to note
1. Companies or businesses applying to
operate in Jamaica’s Ganja Industry, must be
registered with the Companies Office of Ja-
maica.
2. Cooperative Society or Friendly Soci-
ety must be registered with be Department of
Cooperatives and Friendly Societies.
3. The registered Company is required to
satisfy the regulatory requirements of “sub-
stantial ownership and control” (over 50% of
the shareholding and the directorship) by a
Jamaican or a person(s) ordinarily resident in
Jamaica.
4. An ordinarily resident individual for
the purposes of the Interim Regulations, must
have documentary proof that he or she has
lived in Jamaica for not less than three (3)
years immediately preceding the date of the
application, and is at least 18 years old.
With robust due diligence and verifica-
tion processes, which are in keeping with in-
ternational obligations, Jamaica is poised to
take advantage of trade opportunities while
maintaining the integrity and transparency of
its medicinal cannabis industry.
 20 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • JAN-FEB 2019 WWW.THEAGRICULTURALIST.COM

EDUCATION & TRAINING

Gov’t Targeting
Expansion of
Agro-Processing
BY: GARFIELD L. ANGUS

M inister of Industry, Commerce,

Agriculture and Fisheries, Audley
Shaw, says the Government is looking to
expand agro-processing for local con-
sumption and export.
He noted that four distinct markets
are being targeted – CARICOM, the Ja-
maican Diaspora, hotels, and the school
feeding programme. CASE’s 109TH FOUNDERS’ DAY ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION:
He said that the AMC complex on Audley Shaw (centre), Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, flanked by George Kates, chairman,
Spanish Town Road is being targeted to College of Agriculture, Science and Education (CASE), and Oneka Sinclair, Director of Student Affairs, CASE, following
become a modern facility for the pro- a presentation of a pear tree and a breadfruit tree at the college’s 109th Founders’ Day anniversary celebration on Janu-
cessing of fresh fruits and vegetables. ary 25, 2019 at Passley Gardens, Portland.
Minister Shaw, in emphasising the
valued-added to the agricultural sector
from agro-processing, noted for example,
that “when pumpkin is processed into
purée and sweet potato is parboiled they
can have up to a two-year shelf life, and
that is the direction of where agriculture
is heading. What you can’t sell fresh; you
can process,” he noted.
He was speaking at the College of
Agriculture, Science and Education’s
(CASE) Founder’s Day held on January
25 at the college campus in Passley Gar-
dens, Portland.
St. Lucia’s Minister of Agriculture,
Fisheries, Physical Planning, Natural Re-
sources and Co-operatives, Ezechiel Jun-
ior Joseph, in his remarks, said Jamaica’s
agriculture programme is “moving in the
right direction.” MISSION FOOD POSSIBLE:
Joseph, who is a CASE alumnus, Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Audley Shaw (4th r), receives a sample of the meal prepared
utilizing Jamaica’s indigenous produce from Mission:FoodPossible Chef, Patrice Harris-Henry, at the official launch of Mis-
pointed to the need for the sharing of ex-
sion: FoodPossible, at the St. John’s Primary School in St. Catherine, on Friday February 1. The menu consisted of pump-
periences, ideas and policies, aimed at kin-banana bread, green banana salad, barbeque chicken and yamackee - consisting of a mixture of yam, plantain, ackee
strengthening the regional agricultural in- and pumpkin. Looking on at right is Founder of the programme, Peter Ivey, along with St. John’s Primary students.
dustry.
He noted that the hospitality sector
provides an excellent opportunity to es-
tablish linkages for the growth of the sec-
Students to benefit from
tor. “When tourism grows, it is an

-
opportunity for our farmers,” Joseph said.
Meanwhile, President of CASE, Dr.
Derrick Deslandes, said the institution is
- ensuring that its programmes are in keep-
ing with the needs of the country’s agri-
cultural sector.
d kin, cassava, yams and green banana, along
u-
We publish
school meal programme initiative
S tudents at St. John’s Primary School in
St. Catherine will now benefit from a
school meal programme, which will utilize
Jamaica’s indigenous produce such as pump-
with other local produce, under an initiative
dubbed ‘Mission: FoodPossible.’
Speaking at the official launch of ‘Mis-
sion: FoodPossible’ at the St. John’s Primary
schools across the island.
Shaw said Jamaica must move away
from the importation of genetically modified
food to the consumption and utilisation of
more locally grown foods, which will lead to
a better life for all.
“As Government, our mission is to pro-
mote proper nutrition and improve the learn-
ing outcomes of our children, as well as to
more. In that regard, the Minister noted that
the programme’s budgetary allocation was
increased to $4.7 billion for the 2018/19 fis-
cal year, an increase of 47 per cent.
For his part, Ivey explained that his ini-
tiative is undergirded by a personal mission
to feed people who are in need.
“Mission:FoodPossible is near and dear to
my heart, and it is my contribution to im-

colleges and School, in St. Catherine, on February 1, Min-

ister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and
Fisheries, Audley Shaw, said the undertaking
schools news will not only result in greater support for Ja-
maica’s farmers and the agricultural sector,
strengthen early childhood development in
keeping with the Food and Nutrition Secu-
proving the lives of others in Jamaica and
across the globe,” he added.
rity Policy, the draft School Feeding Policy Meanwhile, principal of the school,
and the Jamaica Social Protection Strategy,”
the Minister said.
Louise Clarke, lauded the initiative. She de-
scribed it as “remarkable,” noting that it has

and photos but also the health and nutrition of our chil-
dren.
The agriculture minister stated that the
——————————
launching of the Mission: FoodPossible ini-
The Agriculturalist tiative represents the perfect opportunity to
teach children to “eat what we grow”. He
editor@theagriculturalist.com
said that he intends to work with Chef Ivey
876-923-7471 to have the programme rolled out in other
Shaw further informed that the Govern-
ment has taken action to increase the variety
of local fresh fruits and vegetables under the
National School Feeding Programme. Sup-
port for the programme is also being pro-
vided through initiatives from the Ministry
of Health to encourage better eating habits,
as well as encouraging students to exercise
the full support of the school community and
Board, and will go a far way in assisting the
students who are in need.
The initiative was first executed in St.
Catherine in October 2017 with the feeding
of approximately 700 people. In October
2018, training was provided for staff, parents
and teachers at St. John’s Primary School.
WWW.THEAGRICULTURALIST.COM JAN-FEB 2019 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • 21

TECHNOLOGY
Importance of
agricultural technology
M odern farms and agricultural op-
erations work far differently than
those a few decades ago, primarily be-
cause of advancements in technology,
including sensors, devices, machines,
and information technology. Today’s
agriculture routinely uses sophisticated
technologies such as robots, tempera-
ture and moisture sensors, aerial images,
and GPS technology.
These advanced devices and preci-
sion agriculture and robotic systems
allow businesses to be more profitable,
efficient, safer, and more environmen-
tally friendly.
Farmers no longer have to apply
NEW TECHNOLOGIES AND MODERN PRACTICES: water, fertilizers, and pesticides uni-
Claudette Glegg, Parish Manager for the St. James Association of Branch Soci- formly across entire fields. Instead, they
eties and Agri-Business Management course graduate Ms. Clover (r) record in- can use the minimum quantities re-
spect crops at the Ebony Park Heart Academy during their Hi-Pro-sponsored tour quired and target very specific areas, or
of the institution. As part of this holistic learning approach, trainees were ex- even treat individual plants differently.
posed to new technologies and modern practices that are being employed by var-
ious entities within the agricultural sector.
Benefits include:
• Higher crop productivity
• Decreased use of water, fertilizer, and
pesticides, which in turn keeps food
prices down
• Reduced impact on natural ecosystems
• Less runoff of chemicals into rivers
and groundwater
• Increased worker safety
In addition, robotic technologies
enable more reliable monitoring and
management of natural resources, such
as air and water quality. It also gives
producers greater control over plant and
animal production, processing, distribu-
tion, and storage, which results in:
• Greater efficiencies and lower prices
• Safer growing conditions and safer
foods
• Reduced environmental and ecologi-
cal impac.

Kimmy’s World
Complied and edited by Kimmy Maitland • editor@theagriculturalist

oing green means to pursue knowledge and practices

What does it take to take care of a dog?
To take care of a dog, make sure you're feeding
it a high-quality dog food twice a day and giving
it access to water at all times. You should also
give your dog plenty of exercise by taking it on at
least 2 walks a day and playing games like fetch
or ball.
Maintaining Your Dog's Physical Health
• Keep your pup active. Especially if he is alone
all day, a dog needs exercise just like people do.
• Feed your dog a nourishing, balanced diet.
• Schedule regular veterinary appointments for
your pet.
• Ensure your dog's safety at all times.
• Give your pup regular massages.
G that can lead to more environmentally friendly and
ecologically responsible decisions and lifestyles, which can
help protect the environment and sustain its natural re-
sources for current and future generations.
• Use both sides of computer paper. Once you print some-
thing and no longer need it, flip it over and print again on
the other side.
Farm Jokes
• Compost your food scraps. Composting can be done even • Why did the farmer feed his pigs
if you live in an apartment and can save a ton of waste from sugar and vinegar? He wanted sweet
going to the landfill. The newer ones don’t even smell, and and sour pork!
worm bins are even more efficient!
• What did the farmer say when he lost
• Start an organic garden. If you’re new to gardening, start one of his cows? What a miss-steak.
with something easy like lettuce or tomatoes and work up • Who takes care of the farm when the
to more. farmer is sick? The farmacist (phar-
macist). • Why did the lamb call the
• Plant some trees in your yard. By spending some money police? He had been fleeced.
on trees, you not only shade your house so you can use less
• Why was the cucumber mad? Be-
AC, but you also help to absorb CO2 in the air.
cause it was in a pickle!

Everybody reads The Agriculturalist

Book your adverts (876) 923-7471• 923-7428
agriculturalist@gmail.com • editor@theagriculturalist.com • www.theagriculturalist.com
22 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • JAN-FEB 2019
Four easy ways to lower blood pressure naturally
By: Dr.Sofiya (NaturalNews)
K eeping blood pressure at normal levels
- generally understood to be 120/80
millimeters of mercury or mmhg - can help
prevent a number of serious health condi-
tions. These include aneurysms, heart at-
tacks, strokes, kidney failure and the decline
of cognitive abilities. Though there are often
no symptoms of high blood pressure and it
is preventable, it has been shown to be a
contributing factor in more than 15 percent
of deaths.
Treating high blood pressure typically
means that a physician prescribes some type
of medication. Some of these medications
come with side effects that make them un-
desirable. By making changes at home, it is
possible for a person to reduce the reliance
on medication, thereby lowering the
chances of side effects.
Cut back on work
Working more than 41 hours per week
can increase the risk of having high blood
pressure, also known as hypertension. Ac-
cording to research performed by the Uni-
versity of California - Irving that involved
NUTRITION
The Basics of the Nutrition Facts Label
By Barbara Gordon, RDN, LD
Step 1: Start with the Serving Size
Look here for both the serving size (the
amount people typically eat at one time)
and the number of servings in the package.
Compare your portion size (the amount
you actually eat) to the serving size listed
on the panel. If the serving size is one cup
and you eat two cups, you are getting twice
the calories, fat and other nutrients listed
on the label.
Step 2: Check Out the Total Calories
Find out how many calories are in a single
serving. It's smart to cut back on calories if
you are watching your weight.
Step 3: Let the Percent Daily Values Be
Your Guide
Use percent Daily Values (DV) to help eval-
uate how a particular food fits into your
daily meal plan. Percent DV are for the en-
tire day, not just one meal or snack. Daily
Values are average levels of nutrients for a
person eating 2,000 calories a day. A food
item with a 5 percent DV of fat provides 5
percent of the total fat that a person con-
suming 2,000 calories a day should eat.
You may need more or less than 2,000 calo-
ries per day. For some nutrients you may
need more or less than 100 percent DV.
Low is 5 percent or less. Aim low in satu-
rated fat, trans fat, cholesterol and sodium
High is 20 percent or more. Aim high in vi-
tamins, minerals and fiber.
Step 4: Check Out the Nutrition Terms
Low calorie: 40 calories or less per serving.
Low cholesterol: 20 milligrams or less and 2
HEALTH
more than 24,000 residents of the state,
working more than that leaves little time to
exercise and focus on consuming foods that
are more healthy.
Make power walks a daily occurrence
People who went for a fitness walk that in-
cluded a brisk pace were able to see a sig-
nificant change in their blood pressure
numbers. Those who made a practice of in-
cluding at least 30 minutes of brisk exercise
grams or less of saturated fat per serving.
Reduced: At least 25 percent less of the
specified nutrient or calories than the usual
product.
Good source of: Provides at least 10 to 19
percent of the Daily Value of a particular vi-
tamin or nutrient per serving.
Calorie free: Less than five calories per serv-
ing.
most days of the week saw an eight-point
reduction in the upper number of their blood
pressure with a six-point reduction in the
lower number.
De-stress daily
Given all the responsibilities and stresses
that people are bombarded with on a daily
basis, it is important to build in time to de-
stress. Performing deep breathing exercises,
meditating or engaging in yoga are all great
Fat free/sugar free: Less than ½ gram of fat
or sugar per serving.
Low sodium: 140 milligrams or less of
sodium per serving.
High in: Provides 20 percent or more of the
Daily Value of a specified nutrient per serv-
ing.
Step 5: Choose Low in Saturated Fat,
Added Sugars and Sodium
Eating less saturated fat, added sugars and
sodium may help reduce your risk for
chronic disease.
Saturated fat and trans fat are linked to an
increased risk of heart disease.
Eating too much added sugar makes it diffi-
cult to meet nutrient needs within your calo-
rie requirement.
High levels of sodium can add up to high
blood pressure.
Remember to aim for low percentage DV of
these nutrients.
Step 6: Get Enough Vitamins, Minerals
and Fiber
Eat more fiber, potassium, vitamin D, cal-
cium and iron to maintain good health and
help reduce your risk of certain health prob-
lems such as osteoporosis and anemia.
Choose more fruits and vegetables to get
more of these nutrients.
Remember to aim high for percentage DV
of these nutrients.
Step 7: Consider the Additional Nutrients
You know about calories, but it also is im-
portant to know about the additional nutri-
ents on the Nutrition Facts label.
Protein: A percentage Daily Value for
protein is not required on the label. Eat mod-
WWW.THEAGRICULTURALIST.COM
ways to reduce stress. Stress hormones can
raise the levels of a kidney enzyme, renin,
that can increase blood pressure.
Watch salt intake
While some groups of people seem to have
blood pressure that is particularly sensitive
to increased amounts of sodium, including
the elderly, those with a family history and
African Americans, it is often difficult for
the average person to know this fact. For
this reason, it is a good idea to reduce the
amount of salt consumed overall.
A half a teaspoon of salt contains about
1,200 mg of sodium, almost the entire max-
imum dosage of 1,500 mg suggested by the
National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute.
While going easy on the salt shaker is a
great start, it is also important to limit the
number of processed foods consumed.
Processed foods often contain excessive
amounts of sodium.
By following the above tips, an indi-
vidual reaps a myriad of benefits. These in-
clude lower blood pressure, a leaner
physique and a healthier heart.
Sources: http://www.health.com
erate portions of lean meat, poultry, fish,
eggs, low-fat milk, yogurt and cheese, plus
beans and peas, peanut butter, seeds and soy
products.
Carbohydrates: There are three types of
carbohydrates: sugars, starches and fiber. Eat
whole-grain breads, cereals, rice and pasta
plus fruits and vegetables.
Sugars: Simple carbohydrates, or sug-
ars, occur naturally in foods such as fruit
(fructose) and milk (lactose) or come from
refined sources such as table sugar (sucrose)
or corn syrup. Added sugars will be included
on the Nutrition Facts label in 2018. The
2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Ameri-
cans recommends consuming no more than
10 percent of daily calories from added sug-
ars.
Foods with more than one ingredient
must have an ingredient list on the label. In-
gredients are listed in descending order by
weight. Those in the largest amounts are
listed first. This information is particularly
helpful to individuals with food sensitivities,
those who wish to avoid pork or shellfish,
limit added sugars or people who prefer veg-
etarian eating.
We publish
your school and
college news,
photos etc.,
The Agriculturalist
Call 923-7471
• agriculturalist@gmail.com
WWW.THEAGRICULTURALIST.COM JAN-FEB 2019 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • 23
24 • THE AGRICULTURALIST • JAN-FEB 2019 WWW.THEAGRICULTURALIST.COM