THE MINISTRY of Agriculture has allocated $20 million towards the development of the organic agriculture industry over the next three years as the government seeks to tap into the international organic market, valued about US$25 billion.Agriculture Minister Roger Clarke, who made the announcement at a special meeting of stakeholders involved in organic production at his Hope offices in St. Andrew in December 2004, said the project would get under way this month.
In addition, the ministry will, with the help of stakeholders, develop a national policy on organic agriculture within the next 12 months and facilitate the drafting of legislation to protect the integrity of the organic agriculture industry.
Commodities to be given priority under the project include vegetables, root crops, tropical fruits, herbs/spices and medicinal plants, beverage crops such as cocoa, coffee and coconut, banana and plantain, grass-fed beef, mutton and goat, as well as free-range chickens and eggs.
The minister proposed the creation of an organic agriculture support unit, to provide technical support to organic farmers, including carrying out research and establishing demonstration plots.
Organic agriculture is an ecological production method for food, fibre and other products. It eliminates the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides and dramatically reduces the use of off-farm inputs.
Minister Clarke said that there was a growing market for organic produce as more consumers were demanding wholesome foods. "Many visitors and returning residents have been exposed to organic foods abroad and are desirous of obtaining them here," he pointed out.
He urged farmers to be a part of the process, which he said was designed to improve food production and ensure the survival of the industry.
