TUFTON

The nutritionist of a health-advocacy organisation has applauded Government's announcement that it will be undertaking an initiative to address the country's food security by developing a viable cassava industry.

During his contribution to the 2008-2009 Budget Debate in the House of Representatives on Wednesday, Agriculture Minister Dr Christopher Tufton said inmates, through the Correctional Services Department, will be engaged in the growing of approximately 300 acres of cassava.

Franny Mahfood, nutritionist at the Heart Foundation of Jamaica, yesterday said she agreed with Tufton that cassava was a wonderful alternative starch source to rice and flour.

"We just hope that more people would consider putting a piece of cassava in their pot. But the reality is that persons will think that rice 'stretch', but cassava doesn't," said Mahfood.

Negative health benefits

While noting the versatility and nutritional benefits of cassava, Mahfood, however, warned of the negative health benefits of fried bammy, which is derived from the staple.

"Bammy, which comes from cassava, is best had when baked," she said.

Another nutritionist, Dr Joy Callender, cautioned against the consumption of cassava, noting that the staple possesses a high glycemic index - the ability to raise one's blood sugar level.

"Anything we do locally should be applauded. But bear in mind that it has a higher glycemic index," said Callender.

Other programmes under the cassava-production initiative will include the expansion of the Rural Agriculture Development Authority Twickenham Bammy Factory, and collaboration with the Scientific Research Council and the ministries of education, health and national security in boosting the project.

Don McGlashan, chief technical director at the agriculture ministry, said over the next nine months, the Government would be seeking to increase the production of cassava by 24,000 tonnes.

Cassava production increased by more than four per cent in 2007, up to 18,518 from 17,711, the Statistical Institute of Jamaica reported.

The cassava-production initiative will fall under a $50-million programme to encourage the nation and farmers to grow more produce such as yams and sweet potatoes, as substitutes for rice and flour, which are spiking in prices globally.

Cassava-production initiative

The government of Thailand will provide technical assistance to develop the industry-development study.

The products derived from cassava will be used within the School Feeding Programme, the correctional institutions and the public hospital system.

The ministry will partner with agro-processors and fresh-produce exporters to find ready markets in the diaspora.

Nutritional component Fibre, calcium, potassium, iron, Vitamin C, and thiamine.