News Date: July 08 2016
Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. J.C. Hutchinson, has hailed the work being done by GraceKennedy at its agro-processing plant in Hounslow, St. Elizabeth.
Speaking to JIS News following a tour of the facility recently, Mr. Hutchinson said the work being done at the factory fits well with the Ministry’s plan to place more focus on the agro-processing or value-added aspect of agriculture.
He pointed out that the facility not only provides a ready market for farmers, but moves the products from the farm to the value chain.
Mr. Hutchinson said facilities such as the Grace agro-processing plant, which produces hot pepper and scallion mash as well as shredded packaged vegetables, form part of his new mantra for the agricultural sector.
“This fits perfectly into what I am saying all the time – grow what you eat, eat what you can, and can what you can’t. This is just what GraceKennedy is doing. Whatever they can’t export immediately, they can it and keep it until they have the market,” the Minister said.
He added that the agro-processing or value chain sector in St. Elizabeth is on the rise, citing the recent opening of the cassava flour factory in Elim.
The Minister said farmers now have the option of producing several crops for both facilities.
“We are now saying to farmers, go and produce. The market is here,” Mr. Hutchinson said.
News Source: Jamaica Information Service
