Banana Industry to Receive Full Support – Clarke

Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Roger Clarke, says moving the banana industry forward is a top priority of the Government, with two major goals being an increase in local consumption and exporting  the fruit to neighbouring countries, such as the Cayman Islands, Turks and Caicos and the Bahamas.

He said the Ministry is in the final stage of discussions with the European Union (EU) for the commencement of a 5 million Euros project  to  support  initiatives to  enhance  the sector.

Addressing the Hague Agricultural, Food and Livestock Show, in Trelawny, on February 22,   Mr. Clarke noted that the problems with banana are well known, as Jamaica is out of the traditional export market to Europe.

Notwithstanding this, he said the Government is encouraging and promoting local consumption, particularly value added products and other banana derivatives, while at the same time intensifying the ‘Eat what you grow, grow what you eat’ campaign.

“In this regard, the Government is strengthening the Banana Board to provide the requisite technical support, planting material, extension and research services to support a re-engagement of banana acreages that were abandoned with the demise of exports,” the Minister informed.

Mr. Clarke said he was disappointed that last year, some US$8 million worth of  banana chips were imported into the country.

“I am prepared to use our trade policy judiciously to promote local banana production and value added.  I will unfold a definitive  programme for banana resuscitation with greater  details in two weeks,”  the Minister said.

Meanwhile, Mr. Clarke emphasised the need for the country to engage in strategies that will ensure  its food security.

“In this regard, consistent with  our Manifesto commitment, we intend to promulgate a National Food and Nutrition Security Policy in the 2012/2013 financial year.  We will be bold to set targets with respect to the utilisation of local foods in programmes and institutions directly funded by the State.  The objective here is two-fold –  to ensure that our children in our school feeding programme have access to the kind of nutrition that will promote their growth and development; and to create a ready market for our farmers,” the Minister said.

Mr. Clarke commended the farmers of Trelawny for their hard work, and encouraged Jamaicans to  work in unity with government’s policies and programmes, in an effort to make a difference in the country’s economy.                                                 

By Glenis Rose, JIS Reporter