By Gareth Davis, Gleaner Writer 
PORT ANTONIO, Portland:
GINGER FARMERS in Portland now have an opportunity to increase their production with the recent commissioning of a drying house and storage facility in Bourban in the parish.
The facility, valued at more than $500,000, was a project of the Bourban Ginger and Pineapple Community Association, an the Eastern Jamaica Agriculture Support Project (EJASP).
"We have launched 15 sub-projects in four parishes so far," said Leslie Grant of EJASP.
He said that already some 7,000 small farmers have benefited from the sub-projects, valued at $115 million.
DEMAND EXISTS
Peter Ruddock, managing director of Jam Row Manufacturing and Trading Company, told the farmers at a ceremony to mark the official opening of the facility, that there was still a demand for Jamaican ginger internationally.
"We need to improve our yield and quality," he said, adding that "careful evaluation and consultation are needed to bring forth the success, to adequately compete in this global economy."
He also said that local ginger prices should be comparable to those of the world market.
The Bourban Ginger Pineapple Community Association was formed in 2001, when members from an associated Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS) group joined forces to receive benefits under the EJASP for the production of ginger and pineapple.
