Jamaican peppers, a hot commodity – Hutchinson

Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, the Hon J.C. Hutchinson says Jamaican peppers are a “hot item” and a commodity in great demand
Minister Hutchinson made this comment while delivering the keynote address at a workshop for the certification of Jamaican hot peppers, held February 26, 2019 at the Jamaica Drip Irrigation Ltd. complex in Kendal, Manchester.
“The annual global production of fresh peppers for export, Minister Hutchinson said, is estimated at approximately 30 million tonnes.” Jamaica, he added produces a mere 0.04 per cent of that global demand.
Against that background, the Minister said, there are opportunities for growth and expansion of the hot pepper industry. He pointed to initiatives in response to the vast potential for increased pepper production, identifying the Hounslow Agro-Park and the proposed Agro-economic Zone at Holland, both in St Elizabeth as two of the targeted production areas.
Hot peppers are among the priority crops being promoted by the Government for increased production and productivity to meet demands in both the local and export markets.
Welcoming the training workshop, Minister Hutchinson endorsed its aim, under the theme, Increasing the Production and Quality of Hot Pepper Seeds.
The pepper production workshop was the first of three organised as a collaborative effort between the Research and Development Division and the Plant Quarantine Division of the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries to train RADA extension personnel, farmers and nursery operators regarding the certification requirements for hot pepper seed and seedling production.
The training objectives are to:
1. Increase the capacity for high quality Scotch Bonnet pepper seed production
2. Increase the production of Quality Declared Scotch Bonnet Seeds by 5%
3. Develop a local, red, hot pepper seed production programme
4. Develop the national capacity for high quality Scotch Bonnet and other hot pepper seedling production
5. Implement a national technology transfer programme for hot pepper seed and seedling production.