Colonel Richard Saddler (left), project manager for the Amity Hall Rice Project, inspects a rice field with Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries Dr Christopher Tufton during a tour of the all Rice Project in rural St Catherine on Friday. The project is a joint venture between the agriculture ministry and Jamaica Broilers Group Limited. - Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer

Jamaica currently consumes about 100 tons of rice per annum and the Government is seeking to have the country produce at least 25 per cent of that amount.

'"We just need to see how the projects will yield so that a proper structure can be put in place, as rice can be a viable venture," said Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries Dr Christopher Tufton during a tour of the Amity Hall Rice Project in St Catherine on Friday.

"This area is one that the work can be done easier, as rice used to be planted here before.''

The project is a joint venture between Jamaica Broilers and the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries. A 25-acre property is being used to grow Prosequisa 4, one of the nine varieties of rice being tested in Jamaica. The rice was sowed on January 14 and will be ready for reaping by the end of this month.

Project Manager Colonel Richard Saddler said the Prosequisa 4, by nature, is very good for testing.

Rice paddies value

"The rice paddies that we reap can be used for the next four crops, so it is a good type for even small farmers to try,'' Saddler explained.

Jamaica Broilers CEO Chris-topher Levy said it cost about $5 million to get the project under way, and that it is one he hopes will be replicated throughout the island.

Derrick Nembhard, managing director of Jamaica Flour and Rice mills, said the project would yield 80 to 90 tons of rice paddies and that when this is processed, the end product would be about 68 per cent pure rice.

"With the best of intentions, more needs to be done by way of farming to tap into the market which is currently being dominated by Guyana," Nembhard said.

A number of persons who worked to make the project a success gave high marks to the farming of rice on the property, which was once home to Comet Rice Company.

rasbert.turner@gleanerjm.com