Preliminary figures show 33 per cent growth in domestic production

MANDEVILLE — Preliminary figures are showing a 33 per cent increase in domestic crop production for the April to June quarter.

This is a continuation of the growth trend from the January to March quarter, where some 147,378 tonnes of food crops were produced, representing a 24.4 per cent increase over the corresponding period for 2010. The figure, which was the highest in 11 years, propelled the agricultural sector to grow by 14 per cent overall for the quarter.

“We are continuing on the growth path,” said Agriculture and Fisheries Minister, Hon. Robert Montague, on Friday July 8, 2011, as he addressed the opening of the Hounslow post harvest and packaging facility in St. Elizabeth.

He noted that with the level of production being experienced, focus must be placed on post harvest management with quality packaging facilities put in place to minimise crop loss and ensure food security.

He said farmers lose approximately $5 billion per year due to poor post harvest management.

“Crucial to increasing production and productivity is the capacity of our farmers and processors to provide adequate and efficient post-harvest care. This includes, addressing how and when crops are reaped, grading and sorting, storage and transportation, value-added, marketing and distribution,” he stated.

Minister Montague said the Government is committed “to doing what we can to put in place the infrastructure required to move the sector forward. The completion of the Hounslow facility represents a major step forward to preserve local agriculture”.

The $49-million Hounslow packaging house was constructed under the Improving Jamaica’s Agricultural Productivity Project (IJAPP), which represents collaboration between the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) and the Government.

The Ministry and GraceKennedy Limited signed a lease agreement on September 9, 2010, under which the private sector company will equip and manage the facility and contract farmers to produce to meet its operational needs.

The company equipped the facility with cold room equipment at a cost of $43 million.

Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, and Member of Parliament for South West St. Elizabeth, Hon. Dr. Christopher Tufton, said the project is part of the vision to develop an agro-industrial park in the area.

“It is not just about the operators, who will benefit by promoting a good brand in the area; it is not just about the workers, who will benefit from getting jobs, but…it is an attempt to integrate the farming community with a post harvest facility, a professional company, who will do an excellent job in packaging what our farmers have produced and carrying that out in a way that makes the consumers satisfied,” he stated.

Meanwhile, Group Chief Executive Officer at GraceKennedy, Don Wehby, informed that the facility has been equipped to process and distribute fresh produce to the retail and hotel trades.

He said that farmers have been contracted to provide 16,000 pounds of produce weekly.

Focus is being placed on carrots, cabbage, lettuce, callaloo and sweet peppers and within the next few weeks, “we will expand the list to include items such as sweet potatoes, onions, and Irish potatoes,” Mr. Wehby said.

By GARFIELD L. ANGUS, JIS Reporter