Byron McDaniel, Gleaner Writer
A $30 MILLION carrot puree processing plant will be operational in Huntley, Manchester by the end of January 2006.
The plant which is being constructed on a 1 1/3 acre plot of Government-donated land, is slated for completion next year. It will be operated by the Farmers Association of the Huntley Development Committee.
Minister of Finance, Dr. Omar Davies, broke ground on the site last Thursday.
"This area produces the most and the best carrots in the island (next to St. Elizabeth) and the higglers who come in and buy, grade them, pay according to grades and reject some. It is estimated that 40 per cent of the carrots are rejected, some of which rot in the field," said Corrine Richards, executive chairman of the planning committee for the project.
The project is expected to eliminate major losses of rejected carrots. It was undertaken after a feasible study was done by the Agricultural Support Service Project.
"This is designed to empower the social and economic status of the farmers," said Mrs. Richards.
George Morgan, parish manager of the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), praised the venture as an excellent one for the parish.
"It is a collaborative effort between the people in the community, the Member of Parliament, Government and non-governmental agencies. It is not a political gimmick nor hand-out business, it is by the community, for the community," Mr. Morgan said.
