United Nations Jamaica 76th Anniversary

certified ginger locally and on the global export market, thanks to significant private sector investment. Behind this success is an example of an effective partnership and strong synergy among all actors in the value chain. It has also positioned Jamaica’s ginger industry as a best practice in competitive and resilient value chain development for the entire Caribbean region. The work of FAO and its partners on rebuilding the ginger sector has even had a catalytic effect on the country’s agriculture sector and is now the blueprint for the development of other agro-industries, including Jamaica’s first turmeric industry. Time for Turmeric Spawned by the successes and lessons learnt from the ginger industry, Jamaica began its journey towards revitalizing the commercial production of turmeric at the onset of 2021. Although a sister root of ginger, turmeric is not affected by the rhizome rot and while mainly used for curry, it has grown in popularity for other uses such as tea, healthy juices, nutraceuticals and personal care products. Jamaican turmeric, which was previously only grown wild, has similar growing properties to ginger. It is said that Jamaica’s turmeric contains strong characteristics in flavour, colour and curcumin content and is highly suitable for the export market. However, with 90% of the dried turmeric used in Jamaica being imported, the country is seeking to make the crop competitively available to local processors and to expand its exports. FAO has thus embarked on this journey to support the Government in developing its first turmeric industry, in collaboration with the Research and Development Division of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries and the Jamaica Agricultural Commodities Regulatory Authority (JACRA) and future partners. The industry is being built using a participatory value chain development approach. Through value chainassessments conducted by JACRA and FAO, and an industry business model that integrates the private sector has been developed to ensure that Jamaican turmeric can reap quantifiable benefits for the nation’s farmers, processors and exporters. This business model relies on the production of turmeric plantlets that have applied Good Agricultural Practices that respect the environment. The project is currently nearing the end of its pilot phase and has so far secured 14 turmeric farmers to commercially cultivate the crop for the first time on 22 acres of land, as well as contract farming arrangements for 8 pilot farmers, on over 15 acres of land with a well-known processor. With on-going requests from farmers and processors alike to join the initiative, there are plans for expansion and scale up in 2022. The work carried out under the ginger and turmeric sectors is a clear indication that the collaborative process is the key to building strong industries and boosting sustainable agri- food systems. Our efforts under this initiative are therefore focused on transforming food systems to be more efficient, resilient and inclusive, whilst contributing directly to the SDGs. FAO will continue within the collaborative spirit of the United Nations in delivering as one, and in working with our partners to ensure that Jamaica can continue to grow a sustainable and resilient agriculture sector that is economically sustainable and safeguards the environment for all. Cutting of turmeric buds. Credit: FAO-Chrishane Williams Turmeric nursery. Credit: FAO-Chrishane Williams CONT’D FROM PAGE 24 25 THE 76TH ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL FEATURE OF THE UNITED NATIONS IN JAMAICA