RADA St. Ann to establish six-acre peanut project

Hon J. C. Hutchinson (right), Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, raps with students from Linton Park All-Age School during a tour of their booth at the Noranda Bauxite Expo on May 30 at the Port Rhoades Sports Club in Discovery Bay, St. Ann. Linton Park All-Age School is one of several schools at which school gardens have been established by Noranda Bauxite.

The Rural Agricultural Development Authority will be implementing a $1.6-m six-acre peanut project with farmers in St. Ann in collaboration with Noranda Bauxite with funding from the Jamaica Bauxite Institute.

Speaking at the Noranda Bauxite Expo &Fun Fair held at the Port Rhoades Sports Club in Discovery Bay, St. Ann, on May 30, Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, the Hon J.C. Hutchinson, said the peanuts will be planted on mostly reclaimed land and will be sold to the Lime Tree Garden Peanut Factory.

In support of the project, Minister Hutchinson made a commitment for peanut to be supplied by the peanut farmers of St. Elizabeth to the factory at a lower cost than they currently buy.

While lauding Noranda for its support to farmers in St. Ann through its various initiatives such as its Partners in Agriculture Programme, where farmers receive assistance to improve crops and livestock production mainly on the restored mined-out lands, Minister Hutchinson challenged Noranda to move into the value chain by establishing an agro-economic zone in St. Ann.

This, he said would go a far way in eliminating the cycle of glut and scarcity that has impacted the agricultural sector’s sustained growth.

For his part, General Manager of Noranda Bauxite, Delroy Dell, said the company had assisted over 100 small farmers in greenhouse farming with the establishment of 125 greenhouses in Watt Town, Nine Miles, Tobolski and Burnt Ground.

Additionally, the company has introduced greenhouse technology to some schools as well as established school gardens at primary schools.
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