Achievements of SRC Highlighted in the House

Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Hon. Karl Samuda, is reporting that the Scientific Research Council (SRC) has recorded significant achievements in its undertakings during the 2008/09 fiscal year.
Making his contribution in the 2009/10 Budget Debate at Gordon House on Wednesday April 29, Mr. Samuda said the SRC’s successes came, primarily, in the areas of formulations, crop/product and wastewater system developments, as well as technical support.
Areas of undertaking included: the sale of some 12 food formulations to the micro, small, and medium-size enterprises (MSMEs) for commercialisation, and development of another 15 new products, utilising local plant resources; and the provision of technical support to over 80 micro-entrepreneurs in the area of juice production, drying, and milling equipment.
In addition, Mr. Samuda said the SRC supported a regional initiative to establish a sweet potato industry in the Caribbean.
“A sweet potato gene bank, with varieties from throughout the Caribbean, was established and the formulations for several novel value-added products were developed,” he outlined.
The Minister also informed the House that the SRC conducted 32 feasibility studies for clients, on its patented water treatment system, while supporting the construction of 11 systems. Another seven systems currently being developed, he added, are scheduled for completion during the current fiscal year. He further advised that the SRC will be providing support, in several areas, to MSMEs.
“Apart from the Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC) Business Incubators, the Scientific Research Council will be conducting training programmes for MSMEs in the areas of food processing, tissue culture, wastewater treatment and management, as a matter of priority for the 2009/10 financial year,” Mr. Samuda said.