News

Dairy Farmers Urged To Improve Pasture Management

Published

8 years ago

January 30, 2016

KINGSTON, Jan. 28 (JIS): Dairy farmers are being encouraged to use proper pasture management techniques in order to boost milk production and improve herd quality.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Jamaica Dairy Development Board (JDDB), Hugh Graham, made the call, while speaking to JIS News at the launch of the ‘Drink Real Milk’ educational campaign at the Terra Nova All Suite Hotel in St. Andrew today (January 28).

He noted, for example, that farmers do not typically fertilise their pastures. “They will fertilise other crops but never the pastures. The grass and the legumes on the pastures are crops and have to be treated as such, so we have to look at how to manage the soil, how to manage the crop so you can maximise yield,” he pointed out.
He noted that once pasture yield is maximised “you are able to have better nutrition for the animals and the animals will, in turn, give you more milk or more meat,”

Mr. Graham told JIS News that programmes are already in place to provide assistance to farmers in this regard.
He said farmers are also receiving support to combat recurrent drought conditions, with new varieties of fodder provided.

“We have new drought-tolerant varieties (such as) brachiaria species (and) the mulato two…those we have introduced quite successfully in some areas,” he said.
He informed that farmers are also being assisted to establish fodder banks, “for instance, sugar cane, which they will grow and use during that period when the drought is on. We have …included equipment where you chop the forage up to feed it to the animals, thereby you improve on the digestibility of the feed.”

Mr. Graham said the JDDB also provides technical assistance such as the modernising and upgrading of milking and cooling equipment.

In addition, players in the industry are benefiting from training to ensure that they adhere to best practices and international production standards.

Mr. Graham informed that there are approximately 100 dairy farmers in the island, who supply milk to processors.

“Our statistics really only cover the supply to the processors because under Jamaican law, you cannot sell unpasteurised milk and that is why from the farm, it’s delivered or the processors pick it up and then they take it to the next level,” he pointed out.

Meanwhile, the JDDB CEO said the agency will continue to partner with the agricultural schools and the 4-H clubs to establish their dairies as centres for best practices.
“We have already delivered 25 heifers to all except the Jamaica 4-H Clubs and we are working very closely with them in terms of training,” he informed.

The ‘Drink Real Milk’ campaign is a partnership involving CB Group (through Nutramix), Seprod Limited (through Serge Island), Newport Fersan Jamaica Limited and the Jamaica Dairy Development Board.
The goals of the campaign are: to increase awareness and demand for Jamaican milk; produce 20 million litres locally annually; and create a sustainable and self- sufficient industry.

The JDDB was established in 2009 to promote and foster the development of the dairy sector with particular emphasis on promoting local milk production and achieving efficiencies in the production, processing, marketing and other trade in dairy products.

Related Topics:Hugh Graham Jamaica Dairy Development Board

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InvestTCI facilitates the Development Agreement Between TCIG and Molo Hotel Group

Published

2 days ago

May 14, 2024

Deandrea Hamilton

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – May 14th, 2024 – The Turks and Caicos Islands Government and Molo Hotel Group reached a pivotal juncture on Monday, May 13th, 2024, with the ceremonial signing of a development agreement at the Premier’s Office on Providenciales. The agreement, which received official Cabinet approval on March 13th, 2024, signifies a steadfast commitment to advancing the economic landscape of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Molo Hotel Group is a family-owned business, renowned for its distinguished portfolio of high-quality hotels worldwide. The development initiative encompasses the construction of three distinct IHG branded hotels: InterContinental Turks and Caicos, Kimpton Turks and Caicos and Hotel Indigo Turks and Caicos. Scheduled for completion by 2027, each resort boasts a distinctive design from luxury to laidback sophistication spanning across the shores of Grace Bay Beach.

Kimpton Turks and Caicos – an epitome of luxury lifestyle living, will feature 192 guest rooms including three outdoor pools, a luxury spa and a fitness center. Additionally, seven dining options ranging from a beachfront restaurant to a rooftop bar.

Adjacent to the Kimpton, InterContinental Turks and Caicos will offer 59 classic luxury suites with panoramic ocean views. Mirroring its counterpart, this resort will offer an array of dining options and upscale facilities.

Steps away from the Intercontinental and Kimpton resorts, Hotel Indigo Turks and Caicos will embrace a sense of community and contemporary elegance, offering 56 bedrooms. The resort will feature an onsite restaurant, lobby bar, outdoor pool, and fitness room.

Beyond the realm of hospitality, this development agreement underscores the government’s commitment to fostering economic growth and enhancing employment opportunities in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Molo is partnering with the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College (TCICC) to actively promote hospitality as a career choice and support in developing training programs, career fairs, seminars, workshops, and events to raise awareness about hospitality careers. Molo has committed to provide employment and apprentice opportunities to TCICC students and provide mentoring and practical on property training to students.

The signing event was graced by Hon. Charles Washington Missick, Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands, Hon. Jamell Robinson, Deputy Premier, Hon. Kyle Knowles, Minister of Public Safety and Utilities, Hon. Rachel Taylor, Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture, Łukasz and Marcin Slominski, Owners of Molo, Ross Morrow, Managing Director Molo, Arik Kono, Vice President Upscale Development for IHG, Dr. Candice Williams, President and CEO of the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College, Angela Musgrove, InvestTCI CEO, Dr. Barbara Ambrister, Chairperson of the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College, Dr. Delores Stapleton- Harris, Vice President of Academic, Vocational and Student Affairs for the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College, Mr. Kevin Baxter, Dean of Technical Vocational Education Training (TVET) and Sheryl McLaughlin, InvestTCI Investment Services Executive.

Commenting on the development agreement, Premier, Hon. Misick, stated “The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing of IHG/Molo Hotels is a significant step towards a sustainable future for hospitality in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Three hotels, Kimpton, Intercontinental, and Hotel Indigo, will be introduced, enhancing our tourism product and creating employment opportunities.”

He further added, “Partnerships with the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College and Turks and Caicos Islands Sports Commission are underway, demonstrating the Government’s commitment to developing human capital and elevating tourism offerings. This project will bring economic growth, embrace local talent, and enrich our economy.”

Additionally, Mrs. Angela Musgrove, CEO of Invest Turks and Caicos Islands, emphasized “This collaboration confirms our commitment to fostering economic growth and prosperity within our country. We have worked closely with Molo Hotel Group, and we are confident that this transformative project will further position the Turks and Caicos Islands as a premier destination for travel and investment. Much to our delight, it will also provide opportunities for engagement with our Community College and small business community.”

The Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands, operating through its primary Investment Promotion

Agency, Invest Turks and Caicos Islands, remains committed to attracting and facilitating Foreign Direct Investments to the country by providing a comprehensive suite of services. Through strategic initiatives and targeted promotion, the agency catalyzes sustainable development, driving innovation and small business opportunities across various sectors of the economy.

Crime

Male Charged with Robbery

Published

3 days ago

May 13, 2024

Deandrea Hamilton

#TurksandCaicos, May 13, 2024 – Detectives of the Serious Crime Unit of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force have charged a man who allegedly stole a vehicle.

The accused, DANVANTE BRISCO, 30, of Kew Town, Providenciales, was charged with:

One Count: Robbery
One Count: Taking Motor Vehicle Without Authority
One Count: Using Offensive Weapon to cause fear

Mr. BRISCO appeared in court today (May 13 ) and was granted bail of $7500.00 with one surety.

The matter was adjourned to July 05 for a Sufficiency Hearing.

Crime

Dock Yard Male Charged

Published

3 days ago

May 13, 2024

Deandrea Hamilton

#TurksandCaicos, May 13, 2024 – A 20-year-old Dock Yard male appeared in court today (May 13th) charged with a series of firearm-related offences.

The accused, JAMES SIMON, was denied bail and remanded into custody pending a Sufficiency Hearing scheduled for July 05^th, 2024.

Mr. SIMON faces the following charges: 

One Count: Robbery;
One Count: Gang Membership
One Count: Possession of a Firearm for the Benefit of a Gang
One Count: Possession of Ammunition for the Benefit of a Gang.

The charges against Mr. Simon followed investigations by officers of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force into a robbery at the parking lot of a Casino where three males robbed a victim.

Additionally, Mr. Simon is charged with the following offences, having been arrested on May 02^nd, 2024, along South Dock Road.