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Jamaican ginger producers from St. Ann’s Grant’s Bailey community convened Wednesday for a critical agricultural workshop targeting rhizome rot, a destructive pathogen threatening the nation’s spice industry. The collaborative training initiative, organized by the Jamaica Agricultural Commodities Regulatory Authority (JACRA) with support from Newport-Fersan Jamaica and H&L Agro, provided hands-on instruction in disease management techniques at the Grants Bailey Tabernacle Church.

Acting JACRA Director General Wayne Hunter emphasized the program’s significance: “These sessions are vital for protecting Jamaica’s spice sector. Ginger remains an essential economic pillar for rural communities, and rhizome rot continues to endanger island-wide production. Equipping farmers with proper identification, prevention, and treatment knowledge is imperative.”

The workshop addressed rhizome rot (commonly called “soft rot”), a soil-borne disease caused by Fusarium pathogens and nematodes that propagates through contaminated planting materials. Without effective intervention, the disease can devastate entire ginger crops.

Participants received comprehensive guidance on fungicide application protocols, therapeutic interventions, and agricultural best practices. Veteran farmer Glenroy Green, with over two decades of experience, noted: “This training revealed new chemical treatment options. Traditionally, we relied solely on rainfall and natural planting methods. Now we’ll implement these chemical solutions experimentally.”

The urgency stems from dramatic production declines between 2015-2018 when Jamaica’s ginger output plummeted approximately 50% due to rhizome rot proliferation.

H&L Agro Senior Agronomist Howard Williams stressed preventive measures: “Without pretreatment protocols, farmers risk substantial or total crop loss. Our Ridomil and Kocide fungicides provide essential control mechanisms against this disease.”

Newport-Fersan technical experts elaborated on fertilizer optimization strategies, with Technical Sales Consultant Akeem Williams explaining: “Product knowledge ensures yield maximization. Appropriate fertilizer selection and stage-specific application are crucial for production protection.”

The event concluded with 29 farmers receiving agricultural packages containing fertilizers and agro-chemicals to implement their newly acquired knowledge directly in the field.

TEL AVIV (AFP) — Beneath the streets of Tel Aviv, where missile alerts have become routine, an unexpected phenomenon has emerged: underground raves transforming bomb shelters into pulsating dance venues. Approximately 200 young Israelis recently gathered in a downtown basement, their movements synchronized to thumping techno beats—a stark contrast to the conflict with Iran raging above ground.

The initiative began when a group of friends, stranded in Tel Aviv due to flight cancellations following the outbreak of hostilities, sought to reclaim nightlife from wartime restrictions. Ruben Chekroun, a French-Israeli organizer, explained the psychological motivation: “Dancing in difficult times is a relief. It gives us strength. It’s hard right now, so we might as well try to make the best of it.”

Since the conflict ignited on February 28 with US-Israeli missile strikes killing Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei—prompting Tehran’s drone and missile counterattacks—these semi-clandestine events have proliferated. Utilizing specially designated underground parking lots and club basements, organizers have hosted four “bunker parties” advertised through social media. Despite technically violating mass gathering restrictions, authorities have tolerated the events after police inspections confirmed their safety compliance.

Above ground, Tel Aviv maintains a paradoxical normality. Mediterranean joggers and beach yoga sessions continue alongside café culture at establishments like Chacho’s, where baristas serve lattes beneath tattooed forearms. Yet this veneer of calm is punctuated by daily missile alerts, sending residents to shelters stocked with table football and Harry Potter books—a testament to Israel’s long adaptation to security threats since the October 2023 Hamas attack.

The human cost remains ever-present: recent strikes north of Ben Gurion Airport killed two construction workers, bringing Israel’s death toll to twelve. Yet in the shelters-turned-dancefloors, participants like “Goldilocks” emphasize the dual purpose: “It’s just like being in a shelter. If there’s a siren, we’re protected from the bombing. It’s the place to be!”

KINGSTON, Jamaica — In commemoration of World Wetlands Day observed February 2, a coalition of environmental and corporate entities joined forces to execute a comprehensive restoration initiative at Parottee wetlands in St. Elizabeth. The Jamaica Public Service (JPS) Foundation spearheaded the collaborative effort alongside the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) and the Forestry Department.

The cleanup operation mobilized volunteers from the JPS Volunteers On Location To Serve (VOLTS) network and community supporters to address environmental damage sustained during Hurricane Melissa. Participants systematically removed accumulated debris and implemented measures to facilitate ecological recovery in vulnerable sections of the coastal ecosystem.

Sophia Lewis, Head of the JPS Foundation, emphasized the strategic importance of wetland conservation for Caribbean nations confronting climate change. “These ecosystems serve as vital natural barriers against flooding, storm surges, and coastal degradation,” Lewis stated. “With the increasing intensity and frequency of extreme weather events, rehabilitating these natural defenses becomes paramount for enhancing climate resilience and safeguarding vulnerable communities.”

The initiative represents a component of the JPS Foundation’s broader environmental stewardship program, which prioritizes partnerships that advance sustainable development and climate adaptation strategies throughout Jamaica. The project demonstrates how corporate-social partnerships can contribute meaningfully to environmental conservation and disaster recovery efforts.