THE COLLEGE of Agriculture, Science and Education (CASE) has received a $3.6 million grant from the Eastern Jamaica Agricultural Support Project (EJASP) to establish a pro-
cessing facility for hot peppers.
The money will be used to refurbish and procure equipment for the facility at CASE for the intended purpose. Equipment to be acquired includes an industrial food chopper/processor and food blender.
The hot pepper to be processed will be grown by the college, and farmers around the institution, and then sold to Walkers Wood Caribbean Foods (WWCF) under a purchasing agreement which has been signed. The processing facility is expected to generate income and provide training for students of CASE and persons from the community.
CASE is a multi-disciplinary tertiary institution that offers a variety of academic programmes through three faculties: agriculture, science and education. At present, CASE offers three diplomas, five associate degrees and three bachelor's degree programmes. The institution is based in Portland.
PROJECT COST
The Eastern Jamaica Agricultural Support Project (EJASP), which is being implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture, has a total
project cost of J$319.5 million, with the European Union contributing J$270 million and the Government of Jamaica J$49.5 million.
The project is aimed at:
increasing production and productivity of crops which have a distinct competitive advantage in the domestic, tourism, and non-traditional export markets places.
focusing on geographic areas, which have minimum constraints and distinct competitive advantage for production of the selected crops and small livestock.
Improving the livelihoods of small-scale farm households through sustainable and
environmentally positive production methods and improved marketing. The real income of participating farm households is expected to increase by 25 per cent.
