An EU-funded banana-ripening project in Jamaica has fallen flat due lack of progress.
The project, which is designed to assist small farmers in rural parishes boost the production and sale of the ripened fruit, has failed to get off the ground because a market-demand study needed to give it direction has not yet been done.
The European Union Banana Support Programme backed the move which could see two banana-ripening facilities in St James expanded but progress has been held up by the study’s absence.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries has now said that it recently signed off on a contract for the research to be done by the University of Technology (UTech), according to The Jamaica Gleaner.
The programme has operated in Jamaica since 1996 with a goal of promoting sustainable development in the traditional banana-growing communities of Portland, St Mary, St James, St Thomas, Clarendon and St Catherine.
The agriculture ministry had, last December, invited applications from researchers to conduct the study by January 13, 2010.
"The survey of the domestic market and the study to determine the structure of Jamaica's banana industry are expected to clearly define the structure of Jamaica's banana and plantain industries; accurately define and measure the domestic market for bananas, plantains and their value-added products," the tender notice said.
Janet Conie, general manager of the Banana Board, said: "Market potential must be clearly defined, (so) the market study is essential. It has delayed the launch of this ripening project."
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