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JAMAICA: More Support for Small Farmers and Agro-Processors

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#Kingston, May 3, 2019 – Jamaica – Small farmers and agro-processors are to benefit from increased support under the Rural Agricultural Development Authority’s (RADA) Agro-Processing Incubator Project, aimed at supporting the development of small-scale rural enterprises.

The agency, on Wednesday (May 2), signed a memorandum of understanding with CNETOUTAONE, to further strengthen the programme by offering training, technical advice and marketing support to users of the incubators.

The support will be facilitated under OUTAONE’s Agro-economic Zone Project, which involves partnership with the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, for the establishment of agro-processing facilities throughout Jamaica.

Senior Advisor and Consultant in the Ministry, Robert Miller, said that the partnership between the entities “will facilitate growth in our economy through increased value-added production and effective utilisation of resources as well as provide greater linkages with agricultural suppliers, producers and buyers”.

He was delivering remarks on behalf of Minister without Portfolio, Hon. J.C. Hutchinson, at the signing ceremony held at RADA’s Hope Gardens complex in St. Andrew.

Mr. Miller noted the need for greater market opportunities and a structured distribution network to increase growth in the agricultural sector.  He said that the establishment of agro-economic zones that are strategically located across the island is part of measures to rectify the issue.

Launched in 2017, RADA’s incubator initiative enables persons to access training in value-added production to start their own business.  Beneficiaries receive assistance in the areas of production, product development, marketing, and general business support.

Under the MOU, CNET-OUTAONE will work with RADA to activate and enhance the agro-processing incubators to be used for cottage industries as well as assist the agency to provide product development and management support to farmers for the delivery of marketable products.

It will also provide the opportunity for farmers to sign on to OUTAONE EXCHANGE, where they will be able to offer their commodities for sale in the global marketplace.

During Wednesday’s function, CNET-OUTAONE also signed an agreement with the All-Island Jamaica Cane Farmers Association to encourage diversification into other crops based on the downturn in the sugar industry, and providing markets for farmers locally, regionally and internationally.  OUTAONE is a regionally focused initiative aimed at revolutionising and unlocking the economic potential of the diaspora through farming, agro-processing, marketing and financing.

Release: JIS

Photo Captions:

Header: Chief Executive Officer of the Rural Agricultural Development Authority’s (RADA), Peter Thompson (seated left), along with Director, CNET-OUTAONE, Robert Thompson (seated, centre), prepare to sign copies of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) aimed at boosting support to farmers and agro-processors.  Waiting to affix his signature (seated, right), is Co-founder, CNET-OUTAONE, Errol Bailey. Overseeing the process (standing, from left) areRobert Miller, Senior Advisor and Consultant to Minister without Portfolio, Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. J.C. Hutchinson;  Chairman, RADA, Nigel Myrie; and Vice President, Operations, CNET, Clarence W. Hill.

Insert: Robert Miller, Senior Advisor and Consultant to Minister without Portfolio, Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. J.C. Hutchinson, addresses participants at the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) and CNET-OUTAONE for increased support to farmers. The signing ceremony was held on May 1 at RADA’s Hope Gardens complex in St. Andrew. Listening are Director, CNET-OUTAONE, Robert Thompson (centre); and Chief Executive Officer, RADA, Peter Thompson. 

Photographer: Adrian Walker

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CARPHA Progresses to Eligibility for the First Disbursement of Pandemic Funding

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Following a landmark Public Signing Ceremony for the Pandemic Fund (PF) Technical Cooperation Agreement (“Reducing the Public Health Impact of Pandemics in the Caribbean through Prevention, Preparedness, and Response” [RG-T4387] Project) on December 14, 2023, in Trinidad, the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) continues to progress towards the start of implementation.

 CARPHA fulfilled the IDB’s nine conditions prior to first disbursement, achieving full eligibility on March 15, 2024, and is now eligible for the first disbursement. This milestone achievement in just 3 months after the signing speaks to the commitment of both CARPHA, the Executing Agency, and IDB, the Implementing Entity, toward the regional PF project with the objective of supporting the reduction of the public health impact of pandemics in the Caribbean by building pandemic prevention, preparedness and response (PPR) surveillance & early-warning systems (EWS), laboratory systems and workforce capacity, regionally at CARPHA and in countries.

Since the signing of the Technical Cooperation Agreement and as part of the conditions prior to first disbursement, CARPHA has achieved the following key outputs (i) the development of the PF Project Operations Manual, Multi-annual Execution Plan, Procurement Plan, Financial Plan, Procedure for CARPHA’s Financial Reporting System; (ii) vacancy announcements for two tranches of consultants with the subsequent hiring of five (Technical Coordinator, Financial Specialist, Procurement Specialist, Operations Officer and Project Operations Coordinator) and (iii) the establishment of the Project Execution Unit (PEU) and Project Execution Steering Committee (PESC). The dedicated PEU will be responsible for execution according to its planned timelines, which will be led by the Dr. Lisa Indar, the Project Director (CARPHA’s Director of Surveillance, Disease Prevention and Control Division).

 CARPHA, as the lead regional public health agency and an expression of Caribbean Cooperation in Health is mandated by its Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) to support its 26 CARPHA Member States (CMS) in bolstering national systems and coordinating regional response to public health threats. The Agency works closely with regional and international agencies and uses regional mechanisms, surveillance systems, and networks for coordinating its public health response work.

In July 2023, the PF Governing Board announced that CARPHA’s regional entity proposal, entitled ‘Reducing the Public Health Impact of Pandemics in the Caribbean through Strengthened Integrated Early Warning Surveillance, Laboratory Systems and Workforce Development’ was successfully selected for the first round of financing. It was one of only 19 proposals selected from over 300 submissions and the only regional project. The three priority areas in the proposal are: (i) Comprehensive disease surveillance and EWS, (ii) Laboratory systems and (iii) Human resources and public health and community workforce capacity.

This project is expected to begin implementation in March 2024, starting off with a blended onboarding session. A Stakeholder Meeting with countries is tentatively planned for July 2024.

CARPHA remains dedicated to working together with the IDB, CARPHA Member States and the Pandemic Fund to successfully implement the regional proposal geared toward reducing the public health impact of pandemics in the Caribbean.

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Men who had Murdered Man, Marley Higgs’ cell phone face Court

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Wilkie Arthur

Freelance Court Correspondent

The prosecution intends to try two young North Caicos men, both age 21 for the offense of possession of property of a murdered man, property that was stolen and landed in their possession.

The phone belonged to Peureton ‘Marley’ Higgs, who is believed to have been an innocent gunned down at his apartment complex in the Glass Shack area in a spray of bullets on February 2 that killed another man and wounded two others, including a ten-year-old little girl.

The cell phone was described as white in colour, an iPhone, in a hard black case. 

On Monday, March 18th, JEFFVANO HANDFIELD of North Caicos pleaded not guilty to the offense, and the matter was adjourned to April 2024. He was granted bail in the matter.

A second North Caicos man was charged similarly.  

SARENO CAPELLAN aka, Kino Williams is the second individual brought before the court pertaining to the said cellphone. He appeared in court a week after JEFFVANO HANDFIELD, the date being Monday March 25th 2024.

The case for the Crown is that both men sometime in February of this year possessed the cellphone knowing or suspecting it to be stolen property.

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Supreme Court Closed for Easter

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NOTICE is hereby given that the Easter Recess shall commence on Friday 29th April, 2024 and end on Friday 5th April, 2024. During the Easter Recess Judge Selochan will be available to deal only with matters that are urgent or require prompt attention.

Court Business During the Easter Recess

A person who wishes to have a matter heard during the recess must file a certificate of urgency along with an affidavit, which must set out the reasons why the matter is urgent or requires prompt attention. The matter will not be listed during the recess unless the Judge deems it fit for urgent hearing.

Opening Hours During the Easter Holiday

The Supreme Court’s last sitting day for the first term is Thursday 28th March, 2024. The Court will officially resume sittings on Monday 8th April, 2024. The Supreme Court Offices in both Grand Turk and Providenciales will continue to operate while the Court is not sitting during the recess.

The Court Office will be closed on the following public holidays:

  • Friday 29th March, 2024 (Good Friday) CLOSED
  • Monday 1st April, 2024 (Easter Monday) CLOSED

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