Great business opportunities for investors
DIANE EDWARDS, president of the Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO), believes that the Jamaican market had many untapped opportunities in the agriculture sector, and more efforts were needed to capitalise on these trends.
In her address to attendees at JAMPRO’s second Agriculture Information Forum in Montego Bay, St James, earlier this month, she said, “Jamaica’s agriculture sector offers great business opportunities for investors; particularly in key crops such as yams, Irish potatoes, pumpkin, pepper, turmeric and others. But, have we really exploited the opportunities? Jamaica has the winning advantage with our unique topography, moderate climate, enviable soil components as well as the ecosystem; this means we should have greater production and output from the sector.”
To address the challenge and to further encourage the growth of agri-business, Edwards said that JAMPRO would be working to educate persons about the opportunities that exist in the sector, and that the agency has cemented partnerships with the relevant ministries, departments and agencies of government to look at joint solutions to build and diversify the sector.
“To really take hold of these opportunities, we must take the necessary steps to diversify the production of agricultural crops and move towards greater self-sufficiency,” she said.
“We must also educate ourselves about the global evolution of agriculture; utilising more technology in our farming practices; implementing global quality standards for exporting our produce; addressing financing challenges ; and managing local problems such as praedial larceny.”
With the global fresh produce market projected to reach US$2.4 billion by 2021, according to the Statista Market Forecast, JAMPRO has set aggressive targets for the promotion and facilitation of exports and investments in the agri-business sector and will be partnering with private-sector bodies to undertake export development programmes to assist local companies to benefit from the global demand for agricultural products.