Clive Bryan, Gleaner Writer

A new ginger processing facility is scheduled to be commissioned into operation at Cavaliers, St. Andrew, in April.

The $800,000 facility, being constructed under the supervision of the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), includes a 40-foot container, concrete barbecue, ramp, office and sanitary facilities.

Agricultural extension officer, Errard Stephenson, said funding was provided by the European Union (EU) and the Government of Jamaica. Technical support and supervision are provided by RADA and the farmers are contributing about 90 per cent of the labour requirements for the project.

The extension officer explained that the ginger processing plant will serve about 30 farmers in the Cavaliers, Parks Road, Belmont and Rock Hall areas of St. Andrew. He said it would be operated in compliance with local and international food processing standards. About five people will be employed to operate the facility.

For domestic and export markets

The ginger will be processed for sale on both the domestic and export markets. The processing plant is expected to handle all the ginger produced by the farmers, which takes about 32-36 weeks to mature.

Agricultural assistant Mark Harvey said the farmers were undergoing continuous training to ensure that maximum use is made of the drying shed. He said they have already been trained in cost production and post harvest handling. RADA is establishing a demonstration plot close to the drying facility to help with the ongoing training of the farmers.

"It is critical to keep this group of farmers together, to help sustain quality, volume, reliability of supply to customers; and to maintain viability," Mr. Harvey pointed out.

In the meantime, the St. Andrew office of RADA is also making arrangements to use the facility to process kola nuts when not being used to process ginger.