Boosting rice production.(JAMAICA)

0 Comments | Caribbean Update, June, 2008

The government is setting aside thousands of acres of land to grow rice for local consumption, reports AP (May 4, 2008). Agriculture Minister Christopher Tufton said he expects the private sector to help cultivate an estimated 6,000 acres of state-owned land. Increasing local rice production could deflect rising food prices and make up for lagging grain imports, he said.

Jamaica has announced a request for 40,000 tons of rice from the U.S because it fears dwindling supplies from Guyana. The island joins other countries like Guyana and Trinidad that are encouraging investment in local food production.