Pilot Research in Mini Greenhouses Planned for This Year

Construction and operation of 16 pilot research mini houses in four locations, are among this year’s targets for the production and marketing of greenhouse technology products by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries.
The 2009/10 Estimates of Expenditure revealed that the Government has allocated approximately $94 million for the Agricultural Productivity Project (greenhouse), formerly the Modern Agricultural Technology and Capacity Building.
The project, which started April last year, has successfully formulated advanced negotiations with the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA).
This year it aims to recruit and engage greenhouse specialists, engineers, agronomists and other staff as well as: establish packaging facilities for four clusters; develop two tech-packs of validated greenhouse technologies; train four specialists, four extension agents and 40 farmers; complete construction of 40 commercial greenhouses; and, assist in the establishment of marketing arrangements for crops.
The Government’s target for this project, is to establish a thriving greenhouse operation in the country.
The Estimates state that the project’s objectives are to increase productivity and sustain production and marketing of high quality products. It also aims to develop a technologically driven, modern, efficient, competitive and sustainable agricultural sector, with linkages to other economic steps and, to support the adaptation of greenhouse technology.
Funded by the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation of Agriculture(IICA) and CIDA, it is slated for completion March, 2011.