SRC Signs MoU to Produce Clean Plants
By: , May 18, 2016The Key Point:
Photo: Donald Delahaye
Executive Director of the Scientific Research Council (SRC), Dr. Cliff Riley (right), and Deputy Project Director for the World University Service of Canada (WUSC) Caribbean, Munish Persaud (left), sign Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), for capacity building support to the SRC to produce disease free Irish potato, sweet yam, ginger and sweet potato plants for farmers. The signing took place on May 17 at the Hope Gardens offices of the agency. Others (from left) are: Project Coordinator for the WUSC, Alvin Murray, and Marketing and Communications Manager at the SRC, Roselyn Fisher.The Facts
- “This project has transformed the way in which we produce Irish potato in Jamaica,” said Executive Director of the SRC, Dr. Cliff Riley, while addressing the signing ceremony, at the agency’s Hope Gardens offices, in St. Andrew.
- For his part, Project Coordinator for WUSC, Alvin Murray, informed that several greenhouse clusters and educational institutions will be equipped to become demonstration plots, to extend the technology to students and farmers.
The Full Story
The Scientific Research Council (SRC) has formalized a partnership with the World University Service of Canada (WUSC) Caribbean, for continued support in the production of four crops.
Under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed on May 17 by the two entities, the SRC will be receiving capacity building support in its ongoing effort to produce clean planting materials for Irish potato, ginger, sweet yam and sweet potato.
The agency will be able to supply farmers and companies with virus free plants and to identify and analyse natural predation for biological control of pests and diseases.
The MoU also provides for the identification of value added market opportunities and increased market access based on the targeted crops and greenhouse vegetables, supported by the Promotion of Regional Opportunities for Produce through Enterprises and Linkages (PROPEL), a project sponsored by the Canadian Government.
“This project has transformed the way in which we produce Irish potato in Jamaica,” said Executive Director of the SRC, Dr. Cliff Riley, while addressing the signing ceremony, at the agency’s Hope Gardens offices, in St. Andrew.
He pointed out that they have moved from being an importer of Irish potato seed to producing it, and the entity will be stepping up production in its laboratories.
“This is where we are going, using the available technologies to improve our production, and through partnerships, strengthen our capacity as a research institution geared towards business development, competiveness as well as global trade,” Dr. Riley said.
Meanwhile, Deputy Project Director for WUSC, Munish Persaud, said he is pleased with the strides Jamaica has made with the project, and called for not only the production of materials that the country needs, but also for export to the region.
For his part, Project Coordinator for WUSC, Alvin Murray, informed that several greenhouse clusters and educational institutions will be equipped to become demonstration plots, to extend the technology to students and farmers.