Exotic fruit production in Jamaica is to receive a major boost from a project funded by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) and organised with the island’s government.

The project was formally ratified this month and will bring $269,000 in FAO funds to help farmers provide fruit crops for local and export markets.

A host of exotic fruits stand to benefit from the scheme, which has been welcomed by the Jamaican ministry of agriculture. They include ackee, avocado, breadfruit, guava, mango, guinep, Jew plum, naseberry, custard apple, soursop, lychee, tamarind and jakfruit.

The importance of fruit crops to the Jamaican economy had been under threat as housing and commercial developments have taken over production areas. The exotics targeted are largely under-exploited and the new project has clear long-term goals.

The FAO hopes it will strengthen the capability of the government to develop fruit-tree crops through the provision of training on selected production and propagation technologies.

It will also cover professional advice on marketing and post-harvest operations focusing on crops for export as well as the national market.

Jamaica’s agriculture minister Roger Clarke said the project would assist in strengthening the country’s capabilities in the production of fruit trees. He said the project was expected to last 18 months.

“It is a project that will be of monumental benefit to the agricultural sector. It is one area that we believe that we can make a quantum leap in production and is something that is sustainable and something in which our young people can be involved,” he said.

The project will start with 12 plantations and 100 farmers, who will be trained in production and propagation.

A training manual outlining the best practices of harvesting, post-harvest treatment, handling, packaging and transportation will be developed.

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