A pilot project worth US$29 million, is set to benefit Jamaican farmers, as it will see more of their produce being sold across the United States.
The project is a collaboration between the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS) and the US-based National Association of Christian Educators (NACE). It will initially benefit 10 farmers in St. Ann for one year.
Under the agreement, the farmers will be supplying three cities in the US with vegetables such as turnip greens, sweet potatoes, string beans, okra, cabbage, bell peppers, sweet peppers, carrots, cucumbers, Irish potatoes, corn, squash and onions.
The NACE has provided loan funds, which the farmers will be able to access through the local banks and credit unions.
The farmers are expected to start planting on May 1, with reaping to begin within 45 to 90 days. Export of the produce is slated to get underway in June.
The goods will be sent to Nashville, Tennessee where they will be sorted, then sent via 18-wheeler trucks to Detroit, St. Louis and Oklahoma City twice a week.
President of NACE, Dr Amos Jones, said through this partnership, Jamaica will become the “bread basket for the food deserts of the US.”
Pointing to the significance of this arrangement, Dr. Amos said it will enable more residents of inner city areas in the US to access fresh produce. He noted that food market chains have been pulling out of these areas, leaving persons to travel long distances to purchase produce.
Dr Amos informed that in the initial phase of the project the produce will be sold through farmers’ markets at various locations.
Dr Amos said that after the pilot phase the business will also be opened up to more farmers across Jamaica.
