RADA Officers Gain New Skills to Support Food Processors

Officers of the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) are now better equipped to support food producers across Jamaica, following a recent training workshop hosted by the Scientific Research Council (SRC).

The session, led by Team Leader of the SRC’s Food Product Development Unit, Dr. Grace-Ann Junor, focused on enhancing participants’ understanding of food additives and their safe application in food processing.

She told JIS News that the workshop was designed to empower RADA officers in the Social Services/Home Economics Unit, who work closely with farmers and agro processors across the island.

“They wanted to empower their officers from different communities islandwide. We trained them in the use of food additives, including dosage levels, applications and the ‘dos’ and ‘don’ts’,” she said.

Dr. Junor described the RADA officers as “food soldiers”, noting their vital role in strengthening Jamaica’s agriculture and food processing sectors.

She added that they are now equipped to share this knowledge with individuals and groups involved in food production within their respective communities.

“They can go back into their communities and impart the knowledge to the persons they support and work with,” Dr. Junor noted.

The training forms part of the SRC’s ongoing efforts to strengthen technical capacity within Jamaica’s agri food industry, offering guidance on product development, food standardisation, and other critical processes.

Dr. Junor added that knowledge sharing initiatives such as this are instrumental in driving innovation and boosting productivity.

“Once persons have the knowledge, they are empowered to create value-added products, build businesses and create jobs within their regions,” she said.

The SRC continues to collaborate with organisations across diverse sectors to deliver training that supports the growth and advancement of Jamaica’s agro processing industry.