ST JAMES, Jamaica (JIS) — Farmers in St James now have access to a state-of-the-art agro-processing and packaging facility where they can add value to their products and become major players in the agro-business sector.

The 1,500 square foot facility, which was constructed through a partnership with the Rural Economic Development Initiative (REDI) of the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF), is located on the compound of the St James Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) office in Catherine Hall, Montego Bay.

Social Services and Home Economics Officer at RADA, St James, Tanya Roberts, said that the facility represents the dawning of a new day for farmers in the parish who have income-generating ideas.

“It is well needed, not just for the parish but for farmers from the surrounding areas. Gone are the days when persons can process in their kitchen and then put the products on the supermarket shelf. This facility will accommodate persons with product ideas,” she noted.

Roberts added that there are six active community agro-enterprise groups in St James, but the processing facility will not be restricted to those people.  

“It is for persons who are interested in creating products to go on the supermarket shelves,” she said.

She said farmers across the parish are very optimistic that the processing plant will not only open new doors for them, but will result in an economic stream which will ultimately benefit the agricultural, commercial and other sectors.

The plant will be operated under strict health and hygiene conditions and while farmers already have some market share, RADA will play a key role in opening new avenues.

During a recent tour of the facility, Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, JC Hutchinson, said the facility forms part of the Government’s push to move into the valued-added industry.