The Ministry of Agriculture and the Canadian International Development Agency on Thursday broke ground for a CAN$5 million post-harvest and packaging house and the creation of a greenhouse in St Elizabeth as part of the Improving Jamaica's Agricultural Productivity project.

Farmers are expected to benefit tremendously from the three-year project, which will create some 40 greenhouses, rehabilitate six fishing beaches along the South Coast, resuscitate the fish and lobster stock and build the capacity for fisherfolk.

Other aspects of the project include research and training for farmers.

Addressing the groundbreaking ceremony for the Hounslow Packaging Facility in St Elizabeth, agriculture minister, Dr Christopher Tufton, said the post-harvest facilities would greatly assist in reducing the losses incurred due to the poor handling of produce including lack of proper storage.

"In terms of post-harvest losses, there is about a 20-30 per cent of domestic production that is lost," Tufton said. "That can value anywhere from $5-7 billion," Tufton said.

"Post-harvest losses are costing the consumer which is increasing the cost of living to the average citizen and is keeping our farmers inefficient."

He called for farmers not to set exorbitant prices, as this will force customers to find cheaper products like imported items.

Better quality

The parishes of St Elizabeth, Trelawny, Manchester, St Ann and Clarendon are among those which will benefit from the agricultural project.

One of the greenhouse beneficiaries, Edith Chedda, promised to make the best use of the facility, which will be constructed within the next two weeks on 3,000 square feet of land.

"We hope to produce better quality, and greater yield based on the charge that we have been given as farmers," Chedda said.

"We understand our role in sustaining agriculture and we're happy that we're starting off with the St Elizabeth cluster."