Major Sorrel Project Launched in Eastern St. James

Some 80 quarts or 160 pounds of sorrel seeds have been distributed to over 60 farmers from Eastern St. James for the St. James Parish Council/Adelphi Area Sorrel Project.
The supplies were handed out to the farmers at the official launching of the project on May 18 in the Adelphi square.
Valued at over $50,000, the items, which included machetes and files, were delivered to farmers who are registered in the project. Land totalling 70 acres have been identified for the project.This project is expected to provide employment opportunities for these farmers and increase earnings for young farmers who are being encouraged into agricultural occupation.
The initiative was conceptualized at a community forum held at the Adelphi All-age School some two years ago, by the St. James Parish Council. The main aim is to establish a viable alternative for farmers who have experienced difficulties with sugar cane and are seeking to chart a new economic path for the communities, the parish and by extension, the country.
Congratulating the ‘pioneer’ farmers in the project, Deputy Mayor of Montego Bay and Councillor for the area, Cecil Davis said that the economic climate in the Adelphi, Somerton and adjoining areas should improve with the project.
“I am very pleased that the St. James Parish Council saw it fit to make such a significant effort to arrest the unemployment problem in these areas and I am sure that in time, hundreds of citizens and especially participants in the project, will discover that their efforts are not in vain. I therefore call on all farmers involved in this worthwhile project to make use of this grand opportunity and to commit themselves to making this project very successful,” the Deputy Mayor said. Volunteer Co-ordinator of the project and a farmer from the Adelphi community, Glenis Rose, in handing out sorrel seeds and tools to the farmers, encouraged them to move with haste to utilize the excellent rainfall now being experienced in the areas.
“I would like to suggest to you farmers that the earlier the seeds are sown, the better will be the final harvesting. Do what you have to do now by way of preparation of the land, as discussions are currently being held with officials from the Ministry of Agriculture for tractor tillage assistance. Help is therefore on the way, but in the meantime, we have our individual work to do,” Mr. Rose told the farmers.
He explained that participants would not be left alone in the project, as technical and other assistance would be provided by the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), the Scientific Research Council (SRC) and the National Union of Co-operatives.
Mr. Rose said that sorrel planted on a large scale could satisfy the export market, the hotel demand, the juice companies and for the making of by-products, such as chutney, jam, tea and the regular sorrel drink.