table.MsoNormalTable
{
line-height:115%;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:”Calibri”,”sans-serif”;
}
KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – The Jamaica government says it is moving ahead with plans to make the banana industry a major revenue earner with plans to export the fruit to neighbouring countries, such as the Cayman Islands, Turks and Caicos and The Bahamas.
Agriculture and Fisheries Minister Roger Clarke said there were also plans to increase local consumption and that the government is in the final stage of discussions with the European Union (EU) for the start of a five million Euro (US$6.7 million) project to support initiatives to enhance the sector.
Clarke said that the problems with banana were well known as Jamaica is out of the traditional export market to Europe.
But he said notwithstanding this situation, the Portia Simpson-Miller government is encouraging and promoting local consumption, particularly value added products and other banana derivatives, while at the same time intensifying the ‘Eat what you grow, grow what you eat” campaign.
“In this regard, the government is strengthening the Banana Board to provide the requisite technical support, planting material, extension and research services to support a re-engagement of banana acreages that were abandoned with the demise of exports.”
Clarke said he was disappointed that last year, nearly eight million US dollars worth of banana chips were imported into the country.
“I am prepared to use our trade policy judiciously to promote local banana production and value added. I will unfold a definitive programme for banana resuscitation with greater details in two weeks,” he said, emphasising the need for the country to engage in strategies that will ensure its food security.
“In this regard, consistent with our Manifesto commitment, we intend to promulgate a National Food and Nutrition Security Policy in the 2012/2013 financial year. We will be bold to set targets with respect to the utilisation of local foods in programmes and institutions directly funded by the State.
“The objective here is two-fold – to ensure that our children in our school feeding programme have access to the kind of nutrition that will promote their growth and development; and to create a ready market for our farmers,” Clarke said.
CMC/ad//ir/2012