Increased export earnings from hot pepper are among the projected outcomes from the soon-to-be concluded ‘Improving Phytosanitary, Food Safety and Market Access Opportunities along the Hot Pepper Value Chain in Jamaica project.
The project aims to support increased compliance to sanitary and phytosanitary standards for production and export of Jamaica’s hot pepper to the European Union (EU), United Kingdom (UK), Canada and Regional markets.
The project, which commenced May 2022, is scheduled to be completed July 31, 2025. It is being implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Government through the Bureau of Standards Jamaica (BSJ), in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining.
Funding is provided through the Standards and Trade Development Facility (STDF), a global partnership that supports developing countries to comply with international sanitary and phytosanitary requirements.
Parishes involved in the project are Clarendon, St. Ann, St. Mary, St. Elizabeth and St. Catherine.
The project identified key resource gaps through a sector-wide assessment and is addressing these with targeted support to strengthen pest monitoring and plant health systems.
The handover of items to stakeholders on Monday (April 28) at the Kingston offices of the BSJ, marks a major step in helping stakeholders adopt more resilient practices and meet international standards, ensuring greater access to both local and export markets.
Source: JIS