BLACK RIVER, St. Elizabeth:
THE RURAL Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) has embarked on a project to boost cashew production in St. Elizabeth to meet the growing local demand for the product.
RADA's deputy parish manager Elton Bent said on Friday that the project began in September in five communities. Farmers in Fyffes Pen, Brompton, Shews-berry, Sellington, Slipe and Cambridge are being given assistance by the agency to buy cashew plants and help with land preparation.
Mr. Bent noted that 30 acres of cashew were planted at the beginning of the project.
"The reason why we are embarking on this project is that at the moment there is a great demand for cashew on the local market. The objective is that the farmers from these communities would benefit," the RADA Deputy Parish Manager noted.
Some of the problems currently facing these farmers are shortage of land space and the lack of adequate financing which has prevented some of them from taking part in the project at this time.
Dr. Marc Panton, one of the farmers involved in the project, said he was happy with the way the project was going.
