Rayon Dyer, Gleaner Writer
Black River, St. Elizabeth:
The operators of the newly established flavour extraction plant are assuring that farmers will benefit from the operation of the facility, which is expected to use large quantities of fresh fruits and vegetables.
President of the St. Elizabeth/Manchester Vegetable Growers Association, Anthony Freckleton said the operators will determine shortly the quantity of fresh produce to be purchased from farmers on a regular basis.
Training delay
Mr. Freckleton, explained that it took about eight weeks after the commissioning of the plant in July for personnel to be fully trained to operate the equipment in the facility , hence the delay. "Our personnel are now equipped to use the flavour extraction machine, which means that we are on our way to success," he declared. He said farmers would be informed shortly when the facility would begin accepting fresh produce.
When fully operational, the facility which is located in Bull Savannah, St. Elizabeth, will extract flavours from watermelons, mangoes, lemon grass and scallion, as well as, sorrel and guava to manufacture drinks and juices.
The assurance has come in the wake of concerns from some farmers in the parish that their produce were going to waste while the facility remained out of operation.