Jamaica advances hot pepper export project

The ‘Improving Phytosanitary, Food Safety and Market Access Opportunities along the Hot Pepper Value Chain in Jamaica’ project is nearing its conclusion. This initiative aims to enhance compliance with sanitary and phytosanitary standards for Jamaica’s hot pepper exports to the European Union, the United Kingdom, Canada, and regional markets.

Commencing in May 2022 and set to conclude on July 31, 2025, the project is a collaborative effort between the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the Jamaican government, and the Bureau of Standards Jamaica (BSJ), with support from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining. Funding is provided by the Standards and Trade Development Facility (STDF), a global partnership aiding developing countries in meeting international sanitary and phytosanitary standards.

The initiative involves the parishes of Clarendon, St Ann, St Mary, St Elizabeth, and St Catherine. An assessment identified resource gaps, leading to targeted support to enhance pest monitoring and plant health systems.

On April 28, a handover of items to stakeholders took place at the Kingston offices of the BSJ. This event marks a step towards helping stakeholders adopt resilient practices and meet international standards, thus improving access to local and export markets.

Pablo Jenkins, Project Donor Representative from the STDF, stated, “By enabling countries to meet STDF requirements, international trade and agricultural products such as hot peppers can become a crucial driver for development and fostering economic growth.”

Efforts are focused on improving the technical and resource capacity of local producers, inspection, and regulatory bodies involved in sanitary and phytosanitary management. This aims to increase stakeholder capacity to adopt standards along the hot pepper value chain, boost hot pepper production, and enhance export potential and market access.

Farmers, extension officers, and quarantine regulators have received critical inputs. Hot pepper farmers were provided with surveillance and monitoring tools to improve pest detection and field management. The Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) is equipped with similar tools for better extension support services. The Plant Quarantine and Produce Inspection Branch (PQPI) received inspection and monitoring devices for precision in pest identification and field diagnostics. Items distributed include 40 high-quality magnifying glasses, 15 respirators, 30 cartridges, 40 yellow sticky traps, and 40 blue sticky traps.

Source: Loop

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