Rayon Dyer, Gleaner Writer
BLACK RIVER, St. Elizabeth:
A NEW flavour extraction factory is expected to come on stream in a matter of weeks in St. Elizabeth, according to Anthony Freckleton, director of Jamaica Exotic Flavours and Essences Limited.
In an interview with Farmers Weekly recently, Mr. Freckleton said the factory, which will be located in Bull Savannah, St. Elizabeth, will be used to extract flavours from locally produced fruits and herbs. He said the renovation of the factory building is about to be completed, after which all the equipment will be installed to start operation.
"After this phase of the project, the technology will be transferred, and the experts from Australia after the installation of the equipment will stay on to assist us on how to extract the flavours from a wide variety of fruits that we have here," he explained.
TECHNICAL SUPPORT
He said in the product development phase of the operation, two international flavouring companies will assist with technical support to market the flavours extracted from the locally produced fruits and herbs. He added that the Scientific Research Council (SRC) would also be involved.
Farmers from St. Elizabeth and environs stand to benefit greatly from the new flavour extraction factory. Mr. Freckleton noted that the factory, which is a joint-venture project with the Government of Jamaica, will offer 25 per cent of the shares in the company to the farmers.
"Farmers will now have a chance to make a lot more money from the production of fresh fruits and vegetables. Watermelon and other crops used to stay in the field and rot when we had no market for these goods. Now with the flavour extraction factory, our produce will not go to waste," said Marcel Ebanks, a farmer of Flagaman, St. Elizabeth.
