Yam Farmers Urged to Capitalise on Diaspora Market

Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Roger Clarke, says farmers in Trelawny should capitalize on the economic possibilities of increased yam production, as a large market currently exists in the Diaspora for the product.

“The parish of Trelawny has long been associated with outstanding achievement in tourism and hospitality, entertainment and sports and indeed with agriculture. Not only is this sugar country, but this parish is also almost synonymous with the production of yam of all types,” the Minister said.

Mr. Clarke was speaking at the handing over of 39 houses to sugar workers at Spicy Hill, in the parish, on February 6.

Under the Sugar Barracks Resettlement Project, 398 houses will be built by the Government for 876 residents in the different sugar producing areas across the island, at a cost of $2.4 billion, with grant funding from the European Union (EU).

The Minister informed that most of the 18 varieties of yam found in Jamaica are grown in the parish of Trelawny, the most popular being the yellow yam.

“Agriculture continues to be a very important contributor to the economy of Trelawny. This parish accounts for some 60 per cent of Jamaica’s yam production and about 50 per cent of yams exported from Jamaica are grown in the area,” he noted.

“There are also vast opportunities for creating value added products, especially non-wheat based flour from yam. Our resolve at the Ministry is to continue to invest in agriculture, so that we can reap abundantly,” the Minister said.

Mr. Clarke noted that with the assistance of the European Union, the Government has been able to provide new physical and social infrastructure, which will help families to transform their lives.