Hutchinson urges investors to get on board agro processing

Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries the Hon J. C. Hutchinson is urging investors to get involved in providing support to marketing and value-added processing in the agricultural sector. He was speaking at the handover of seven agro-processing facilities by the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSF) to the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) on June 29 in Santa Cruz, St. Elizabeth.
The seven multi-use agro-processing incubators were constructed to meet local and international manufacturing requirements. Valued at approximately $208m, the facilities were constructed and equipped by JSIF with funding from the World Bank’s Rural Economic Development Initiative.
Noting that the facilities would go a far way in helping the Ministry achieve its goal of increased value-added production, Minister Hutchinson said, “There is a need for large investors with supply chain and logistic experience to provide much-needed support in marketing and value-added processing.”
While acknowledging the innovativeness of the small agro processors, Hutchinson lamented their lack of technical know-how to manufacture these products commercially and welcomed the inclusion of a consultancy firm at each facility that will provide them with assistance in product development, production, marketing and business management. He encouraged the agro processors to make full use of the support that they will receive.
The facilities, which are located in Westmoreland, Hanover, St. James, Trelawny, St. Mary, St. Catherine and St. Elizabeth, will be managed and operated by RADA and are available for use by individuals or groups for the manufacture of a range of products, including juices, chips, sauces, jams and jellies. Space will also be provided in each facility for caterers to prepare for events.
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