FARMERS MUST EMPLOY CLIMATE SMART AGRICULTURE TO ENSURE FOOD SECURITY FOR THE NATION – H.M. VAZ

Minister Without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Hon. Daryl Vaz has noted that Climate Smart Agriculture is one of the tools that the island’s farmers must employ to ensure the nation’s food security for this and future generations.

Minister Vaz, who has responsibility for Climate Change and the Environment, was addressing farmers and other stakeholders on March 20, 2019,  at the Rural Agricultural Development Authority’s (RADA’s) Annual Open Day and Exhibition, at the Folly Oval in Port Antonio, Portland.

He commended RADA for its role in assisting the farmers in Portland and throughout the island to become climate smart, adding that the livelihoods of our small farmers are even more at risk when adverse weather events such as drought, excessive rainfall, flooding and wind damage from hurricanes are included. 

“We therefore need to continue to equip our farmers and of course, our fisher folk,  with the necessary knowledge and tools, to adapt to climate change while developing resilient and sustainable forms of agriculture”, the Minister stated.

Minister Vaz noted that in 2018, some 5,000 small farmers in the parishes of Portland, St. Thomas and St. Mary benefitted from specialized two-year training  to increase their capacity to implement climate smart agricultural practices.

The project is a partnership between the  Technical Centre for Agriculture and Rural Co-operation (CTA), based in the Netherlands, the Climate Change Division in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, and  RADA.

According to Minister Vaz, these kinds of partnerships are critical to the efforts to achieve sustainable development through the practice of Climate Smart Agriculture.

“It is incumbent on you to ensure that the project is successful. Coming up in May we will have the project team travelling with the Climate Change Division to South Africa to present Jamaica’s result thus far. We are ensuring that two farmers from the project are on this mission to speak for themselves”, the Minister noted.

Minister Vaz also urged consumers to purchase local produce,  noting that it makes no sense for the nation to seek to increase its food security by incorporating climate smart initiatives and training farmers, when in the end the food rots in the field while we purchase imported produce. 

“As my Ministry and RADA continue to promote climate smart agriculture and increase productivity, it is with the overarching Vision 2030 goal, in mind.  Jamaica cannot be ‘the place of choice to live, work, raise families and do business’, if we have to rely on imported food; if a critical sector of our society, our farmers and fishers cannot make a decent living; or if we do not take steps to adapt and mitigate the impacts of climate change”, the Minister said.  

Minister Vaz assured the farmers that the Government is committed to the New Jamaica, where the fruits of their efforts are realized and everyone has the potential to earn a decent living.

NOTING what it describes as an “alarming indifference” among Jamaicans to the effects of climate change, the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) is partnering with PANOS Caribbean’s Voices for Climate Change Education Initiative to raise awareness of adaptive strategies in four communities.

The eight-month project, which was launched at the end of January, is being implemented in Rocky Point and Lionel Town in Clarendon, Ridge Red Bank in St Elizabeth, and White House in St Ann. It uses popular local artistes and performers to spread messages about climate change in song and performing arts to stir interest and drive behaviour change.

“This project is focused on increasing the knowledge of climate-smart practices within these communities,” said Indi Mclymont-Lafayette, communications specialist for the Adaptation Programme and Financing Mechanism at PIOJ.

“These communities have already started implementing adaptive strategies that address climate vulnerability, and we want to foster sharing and transfer of knowledge among them.”

The PIOJ added: “Climate change is not a distant threat to Jamaicans. It has a daily presence and often affects the livelihoods of those working in tourism, agriculture and fishing. Still, there is an alarming indifference to its effects.”

Panos mobilises artists from the four selected communities to join national singers and performers in a multi-part workshop designed to help them understand climate change and effectively craft appropriate messages. The artists then visit the communities to see the climate change impacts first-hand and the communities’ responses, after which they perform in school and community concerts, six of which are scheduled through August 2019.

The Voices for Climate Change Education campaign is part of the Pilot Programme for Climate Resilience–Climate Data Project, a broader public education programme from the PIOJ.

“This initiative will harness and capture the power of popular music and culture to transmit climate change messages in ways that can help to build community resilience,” said Nicole Brown, director of PANOS Caribbean.

The campaign will also encourage students from targeted communities to craft creative climate change adaptation messages in 60-second videos for prizes for the best productions. In addition, there is a short story competition for students and a reading initiative that will introduce young readers to literature on climate change.

“This project will improve the quality and use of climate related data for effective planning and action at all levels,” said Lehome Johnson, project manager of the Climate Data Project.

“This will allow Jamaicans to have access to quality climate and weather information that will help us to make climate smart decisions,” he added.

 

Source: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/pioj-panos_159229?profile=1373

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has committed to gender equality as a priority of the Government.   The Prime Minister underscored that gender equality is a part of the Administration’s prosperity plan.   “For this Government, achieving gender equality is now accepted, understood and pursued as a condition for inclusive economic growth, social equity, human capital and socio-emotional development. It is indeed an integral part of our prosperity plan,” said Prime Minister Holness.   Addressing the Women in Law Conference at the University of the West Indies Regional Headquarters today (March 8), the Prime Minister pointed out that much of the policy initiatives geared toward achieving gender equality was announced during the Finance Minister’s Budget presentation.   “Much of the policy initiative announced, many of them would have significant impact for women particularly women in business, small, medium-sized and micro enterprises and in Jamaica’s case, we pursue gender equality (and) we mainstream many of our policies for gender equality because for us it is important in tackling poverty,” stated Prime Minister Holness.   The Prime Minister also stated that Government policy regarding gender equality must be geared at treating with issues of violence from a gender perspective.   “For the Government it is not just a fashionable catch-phrase, these are things that we see as important in ensuring the equitable and inclusive development of our society and that’s why we have been making certain investments, you would have heard yesterday (during the Budget debate) of resources allocated for two additional centres to assist women who find themselves in situations of conflicts or situation in which they are being abused with allocated resources to build one (centre) last year and now we have allocated resources to build an additional two,” said Prime Minister Holness.   In the meantime, the Prime Minister during his presentation in recognition of International Women’s Day saluted all women for their efforts in building Jamaica and those who have left their mark on Jamaica’s history.   “The path for women in law has not been an easy one. Acknowledgement must be given to important strides to further guide to further gender parity which took place even prior to our achievement of self-government, the Sex Disqualification Act passed in 1944, removed the barriers that prevented women from entering the public service, this paved the way for Miss Daisy Chambers to become the first female solicitor in Jamaica and for Ena Collymore Woodstock who will be a 102 years old this year and she became the first female Clerk of the Courts and Magistrate. Since our independence, these strides have continued, the Employment, Equal Pay for Men and Women Act of 1975 was passed to remove pay inequality on the basis of sex, this provided more income for women often the head of single-parent household to further educate themselves and to take care of their families,” said Prime Minister Holness.   In that regard, the Prime Minister said the legal profession demonstrates the strides women have made and is an example of the achievements being celebrated on International Women’s Day in Jamaica.                                                               –30–

Jamaica is now a signatory to the CARICOM Multilateral Air Services Agreement (MASA).
 
The historic signing took place at the 30^th Inter-Sessional Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM on Wednesday (February 27) in Basseterre St. Kitts.
 
The regional MASA will allow for any CARICOM member state to move passengers and freight by air without having to apply for individual air services rights.
 
The agreement, therefore, makes it easier for airlines in the region to operate both passenger and cargo in and out the island.
 
Additionally, this agreement will allow Jamaica greater flexibility in negotiating air services agreements with other blocs.
 
Jamaica has more than 60 air services agreements.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has called on CARICOM leaders to act decisively, take action and build on the successes of the 39^th Heads of Government of CARICOM Conference.

Making his address as the outgoing Chairman of CARICOM in Basseterre St. Kitts this morning (February 26) Prime Minister Holness said the regional group must act decisively to strategically seize opportunities that the changing world circumstance presents.

“During my tenure as Chairman of the Conference, the focus was primarily on overcoming the inertia which has, for too long, characterized our regional mechanisms and significantly impaired our ability to simply get things done. It was also important for us to press for progress on matters which would enable the average Caribbean man and woman to experience CARICOM in a real and tangible way, through the implementation of the free movement regime,” said Prime Minister Holness at the opening session of the 30^th Inter-Sessional meeting in St. Kitts and Nevis.

Under his Chairmanship, Prime Minister Holness led action in responding to the concerns of fair treatment of CARICOM nationals. The new Procedures on the Refusal of Entry was adopted and implemented in August 2018.

Additionally, provisions in the Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME) Regime to allow for free movement of persons, CARICOM skilled nationals and their families through the signature of the Protocol on Contingent Rights was also done. Ten countries have so far signed that Protocol.

According to Prime Minister Holness, the private sector in the region must spur growth and development. He called on regional governments to take all necessary steps to allow for mutual recognition of companies incorporated in a CARICOM Member State and trim the red tape within our domestic space to provide greater opportunity for intra-regional investment, cross-border fertilization and increase private sector interest and collaboration.

Prime Minister Holness emphasized that the region needs a common vision, an unwavering belief in regional unity and a recognition that the real strength of the region comes from all of its Member States working together in one accord.

Prime Minister Holness will now pass Chairmanship of the regional body to the Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, Timothy Harris who will serve for six months.

Two of the five projects being implemented under Jamaica’s Pilot Programme for Climate Resilience were selected to be a part of the Climate Investment Funds (CIF) ten year video. Here is one entitled “Weathering the Storm with Better Data”

Two of the five projects being implemented under Jamaica’s Pilot Programme for Climate Resilience were selected to be a part of the Climate Investment Funds (CIF) ten year video. Here is one entitled “Reefs Reap Big Rewards”

The Power of 10!

  Prime Minister Andrew Holness is encouraging greater transformation of educational institutions through stronger partnerships particularly past students’ associations.

Acknowledging that the budgetary allocation of Government to schools is limited, the Prime Minister noted that Associations can assist with specific projects at the institutions.

“What the Government gives to the education system, certainly to the traditional high schools is not enough, we will be the first to tell you. What we do try [to do] however is to give you enough to maintain a minimum and uniformed standard across the education system, but schools have by their own resources and effort, have managed to use the little that the Government gives. Raise more to do more and we encourage schools to do that,” said Prime Minister Holness.

The Prime Minister was speaking at the Opening of the Ashenheim Stadium at Jamaica College on Wednesday, February 20.

Jamaica College was gifted an (8) eight lane running track courtesy of past student, Michael Ashenheim and the Ashenheim family who are past students. The facility is a multi-purpose stadium which is a project emanated from the Old Boys Association and the Board of management of the school.

Prime Minister Holness said the donation is in keeping with the “spirit of enterprise and the spirit of philanthropy” in Jamaica and commended the Ashenheim family for their contribution.

“The spirit of enterprise and the spirit of philanthropy is still alive and well in Jamaica and that your family without second thought, decided to make this contribution to the Jamaican people; is something that I personally want to commend you for,” said Prime Minister Holness.

The Prime Minister said he expects great things from Jamaica College.

“I’m expecting that Jamaica College will be producing many athletes now who will probably be performing on the Olympic stage and gaining Jamaica more medals but more than that, it will reach the average student who will now have the facilities to develop their skills,” stated Prime Minister Holness.

In the meantime, the Prime Minister added his commendations to the Old Boys Association.

“Congratulations to Jamaica College, I know it (The Ashenheim Stadium) will serve the students here well. It will serve Jamaica well and I encourage others to make the same kind of contribution,” said Prime Minister Holness.

Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Hon. Karl Samuda (2nd from left) discusses recent repairs to the water storage tanks at the Chalky Hill Primary and Infant School in St. Ann with Managing Director of Rural Water Supply Limited, Audley Thompson (left) during a tour of the school on Friday, February 15. They are joined by the NWC’s Regional Manager, Richard Williams (2nd from right) and Member of Parliament for North East St. Ann and Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Shahine Robinson (right).

Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Hon. Karl Samuda (left) celebrates with residents of Hermitage in St. Ann, Member of Parliament for North East St. Ann and Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Shahine Robinson (right) and Director of the Rural Water Supply Limited, Farrah Blake (center) as the community receives piped water for the first time in a commissioning ceremony on Friday, February 15.