A packaging plant will soon become operational in Hosororo, Region One where spices are being cultivated under the Ministry of Agriculture’s Diversification Programme which aims to increase the export of non-traditional products.
A Government Information Agency (GINA) press release said spice cultivation has proven to be successful in the hinterland and other packaging facilities will opened in regions Eight and Nine to package spices such as nutmegs, ginger, black pepper and turmeric.
Agriculture Minister Dr Leslie Ramsammy said government invested in cultivating and packaging spices to meet local demand and to reduce its US$200 million annual importation bill while at the same time adding value for export.
“At present, hinterland producers cannot compete with coastal producers, as the transportation cost from the hinterland remains relatively high…. As such this move by government is intended to significantly reduce this,” he said.
The ministry is now working to reduce costs by semi-processing the spices, particularly turmeric. This process entails the ministry buying the spices from farmers semi-processing them at the various plants and then selling them to Sterling Products Limited to be packaged. The finished product is then sold on the local market and exported. “For every eight pound[s] of raw turmeric, you get one pound when processed and so this will significantly reduce the transport cost,” Ramsammy said.
According to the ministry, works are moving apace to introduce new crops to ensure that production is heightened especially in remote communities. In the past, there had been large scale cultivation of spices and crops such as black pepper, ginger, nutmeg, onions, carrots, turmeric and Irish potatoes in the hinterland areas.
