United States partners with Jamaica to revitalize local spice industry

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is working to revitalize the spice industry in Jamaica through the launch of the US Department of Agriculture Food for Progress Jamaica Spices project.

This initiative, funded by USDA, will support 7,500 farmers and agricultural market systems, including women, youth, and other marginalized groups, create a more diversified and vibrant spice sector and contribute to a 50 percent increase in ginger, turmeric, and pimento through improved planting material and management practices.

“The launch has brought together the entirety of the spice value chain under one roof,” said Chief of Party for the US Department of Agriculture Food for Progress Jamaica Spices, Dr Ronald Blake.

“This event marks the start of partnerships with key Jamaica agricultural agencies, such as the Jamaica Agricultural Commodities Regulatory Authority (JACRA), Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, that will lead to a stronger spice sector and recognition of Jamaican spices around the globe,”  Blake added.

The US Department of Agriculture Food for Progress Jamaica Spices project is a five-year project that will revitalize the spice sector to meet the existing export and domestic demand for turmeric, ginger, and pimento.

The project will result in a more diversified, inclusive, sustainable, and climate-resilient spice sector, reaching US$20 million in sales and US$13.5 million in annual export sales.

CMC/