By Damion Mitchell, Staff ReporterTHE JAMAICA Agricultural Society (JAS) has accelerated its efforts to encourage world-class quality in agricultural production through a new certification programme with the Bureau of Standards Jamaica (BSJ).
The programme, dubbed the JAS/BSJ National Programme for the Certification of Agricultural Produce, is being administered on a pilot basis with 17 farmers from the parishes of St. Andrew, St. Thomas, St. Catherine, St. Ann and St. Elizabeth participating.
"The process of establishing acceptable standards within the agricultural sector is long overdue but becomes even more necessary as the arms of globalisation attack the pockets of our local farmers," said Senator Norman Grant, president of the JAS. He was speaking at yesterday's programme launch at the Eden Gardens , 39 Lady Musgrave Road, St. Andrew.
He said among the major objectives of the programme was to create consumer confidence in Jamaican produce. He noted that in the first phase, seven crops tomato, sweet potato, scotch bonnet pepper, carrot, ginger, escallion and thyme would be certified by the BSJ.
According to Senator Grant, these crops were selected based on local demand and export capacity.
ECONOMIC GAINS
He also said locally, the produce would be traded through the JAS's central marketing programme.
Meanwhile, Dr. Omer Thomas, executive director of the BSJ, said as the diversity of agricultural produce increased, so too did the nation's recognition of the potential for economic gains from the sector.
But he said, "Our 'Caribbean Treasure' (Jamaica) must step up to the wicket and meet the demands created by globalisation, paramount of which is the demand for the use of standards."
As part of the certification programme, approved local agricultural produce will bear a JAS/BSJ seal.
