$1/2m cassava project gets under way

A CASSAVA project, funded by the Jamaica Bauxite Institute (JBI) to the tune of over half a million dollars, is being implemented in Ewarton, St. Catherine and is expected to benefit some 60 farmers.

Pedro Worghs, Acting Manager for the St. Catherine Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) said the project began in February this year, and already 28 farmers had received fertiliser and land preparation assistance.

Mr. Worghs noted that the aim of the project was to establish ten hectares of cassava in the Ewarton area.

The Acting RADA Manager said cassava was selected because there were several cassava farmers in the area, as well as a secured market with the RADA-operated bammy factory at Twickenham Park, St. Catherine.

Noting that RADA offered technical expertise to the farmers in the programme, Mr. Worghs said a one acre demonstration plot had been set up in the area in collaboration with the Bodles Research Station, and would function as a model farm and site for training sessions.

He said the RADA office was also busy with the pilot computerisation of agri-business project. Under this project, a list with the names of farmers and the persons they supplied, as well as farm produces suppliers would place on the Internet.

He said the list of names were now being compiled and placed on the agency's system and would "allow for better planning in the sector".

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