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Gov't eyes greenhouse technology to boost agri production
Carl Gilchrist, Business Observer writer
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
The government is considering using greenhouse technology to boost agricultural production for both local and export markets, according to agriculture minister Dr Christopher Tufton.
Addressing the opening day of the seventh Caribbean Week of Agriculture (CWA) at Gran Bahia Principe hotel in Runaway Bay, Tufton said given the yields that are possible under greenhouse conditions, once the technology is mainstreamed, Jamaica will be producing far more than the existing demand.
"We will be exploring the possibility of exporting within the region," said Tufton. "The major challenge here, however, would be to put in place effective transportation links."
He said further, that other support services such as packaging, sorting, cold storage facilities, and marketing would be necessary to support any boost in agriculture production due to greenhouse technology.
Tufton said his ministry would be encouraging and facilitating private sector and farmers' groups to take up the challenge where these issues are concerned.
He added that his ministry would also be moving to set up a dynamic marketing intelligence system within the ministry of agriculture.
Over the years, greenhouse technology has been used locally primarily by horticulturists; however, farmers, especially suppliers to hotels and supermarkets, have started using the method.
The Rural Agricultural Development Agency (RADA) has been conducting training exercises with farmers with the resulting yields being four or five times higher than traditional cultivation, or open field, methods.
The weeklong CWA conference, under the theme "Agriculture - Harvesting Wealth Through Tourism", has drawn participants from most English-speaking Caribbean countries.
http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/magaz...PRODUCTION.asp
Carl Gilchrist, Business Observer writer
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
The government is considering using greenhouse technology to boost agricultural production for both local and export markets, according to agriculture minister Dr Christopher Tufton.
Addressing the opening day of the seventh Caribbean Week of Agriculture (CWA) at Gran Bahia Principe hotel in Runaway Bay, Tufton said given the yields that are possible under greenhouse conditions, once the technology is mainstreamed, Jamaica will be producing far more than the existing demand.
"We will be exploring the possibility of exporting within the region," said Tufton. "The major challenge here, however, would be to put in place effective transportation links."
He said further, that other support services such as packaging, sorting, cold storage facilities, and marketing would be necessary to support any boost in agriculture production due to greenhouse technology.
Tufton said his ministry would be encouraging and facilitating private sector and farmers' groups to take up the challenge where these issues are concerned.
He added that his ministry would also be moving to set up a dynamic marketing intelligence system within the ministry of agriculture.
Over the years, greenhouse technology has been used locally primarily by horticulturists; however, farmers, especially suppliers to hotels and supermarkets, have started using the method.
The Rural Agricultural Development Agency (RADA) has been conducting training exercises with farmers with the resulting yields being four or five times higher than traditional cultivation, or open field, methods.
The weeklong CWA conference, under the theme "Agriculture - Harvesting Wealth Through Tourism", has drawn participants from most English-speaking Caribbean countries.
http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/magaz...PRODUCTION.asp
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