2010-05-12
Lemon Grass Industry Stimulating Employment
At least 200 farmers have signalled their commitment to cultivate over 986 acres of lemon grass, based on initiatives being taken by the Scientific Research Council (SRC) to demonstrate the product’s versatility and to establish a lemon grass industry.
Making his contribution to the Sectoral Debate in Parliament today, Minister of Industry, Investment & Commerce, Karl Samuda said the SRC’s initiative to create value-added products from lemon grass is an important effort to stimulate employment opportunities along the value chain.
The SRC, as part of its overall efforts to showcase the potential of essential oils from local plants, has been using lemon grass as a model to show the versatility of under-utilized aromatic plants locally. Already some 32 food and personal care formulations have been sold to Micro, Small and Medium sized enterprises (MSMEs).
The Minister told the House that as a result of a vibrant marketing and business development campaign to promote the lemon grass industry, the SRC had received and processed over 180 enquiries. So far, there has been a 55% increase in the number of requests for food product development and a 107% increase in contracts with MSMEs for product research and development.
The SRC has also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Churches Credit Union for the provision of concessionary facilities to parties interested in participating in the lemon grass business.