ICENS Research Could Expand Export Opportunities

Research at the International Centre for Environmental and Nuclear Sciences (ICENS) is laying the groundwork for Jamaican farmers to extend the shelf life of their produce and access new export opportunities.

In an interview with JIS News, Head of the Nuclear Analytical Laboratory and Senior Research Scientist at ICENS, Johann Antoine, said the centre’s gamma irradiator is helping researchers identify treatments that could allow more locally grown produce to meet overseas market requirements.

“We have several soft fruits that do not make it or do not do very well in terms of pest control and meeting some of our export markets,” Mr. Antoine said.

He noted that the current research is intended to determine radiation doses that can prevent pests from degrading produce, while preserving their quality for longer periods.

“With that in case, we could then bring to Jamaica an industrial irradiator that could then do this on a very large-scale level, so that farmers can now have expanded access to mainly the U.S. market, but for other markets potentially,” he explained.

ICENS is also partnering with the Scientific Research Council (SRC) on crop mutagenesis research to help develop plant varieties better suited to Jamaica’s conditions.

The research accelerates naturally occurring mutations that scientists can screen for desirable characteristics, including greater resilience to diseases, drought and climate-related stresses.

“What we’re doing with the irradiator is speeding up the process,” Mr. Antoine said, adding that the centre’s work represents an important step in expanding the practical use of nuclear science to strengthen Jamaica’s agricultural sector.

Looking ahead, Mr. Antoine hopes the research will contribute to increased productivity, reduced post-harvest losses and greater competitiveness for Jamaican produce in international markets.

He said these advances could help create long-term benefits for farmers while supporting the country’s wider export ambitions.