Greenhouse being refurbished at Bodles Research Station

Ginger has long been a revered spice in Caribbean cuisine. In Jamaica, the spice was traditionally known to be of a very high quality, however, over the years, production decreased mainly due to the prevalence of the Ginger Rhizome Rot (GRR) Disease, affecting farmers in key growing areas.

Since 2016, FAO has been providing technical support to the Government of Jamaica in revitalizing the ginger industry through the development of a Ginger sector Value Chain Upgrading Strategy and Action Plan and is now partnering with the Research and Development Division of the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries (MICAF), Northern Caribbean University (NCU) and the Scientific Research Council (SRC) for the production-related component.

Key to improving ginger production and productivity is the availability of quality, certified clean planting material, free from the GRR disease. At the Bodles Research Station in St. Catherine, FAO is funding the refurbishing of a greenhouse for the mass propagation of certified clean ginger planting material. The greenhouse creates the conditions necessary for the process of weaning the tissue cultured planting material, followed by hardening of the tissue culture for the production of ginger plantlets. The entire process will allow for the rapid multiplication of plantlets, free from Ginger Rhizome Rot (GRR) disease, to be developed in nurseries before being distributed to farmers for cultivation. In addition to this process, FAO will facilitate training of personnel for the management of the greenhouse and for nursery operators.

The revamping of the greenhouse to facilitate the effectiveness and availability of clean planting material is a significant aspect in developing Jamaica’s ginger value chain and promoting greater market involvement. Renovation of the greenhouse is expected to be completed by the end of May 2018.

During the next phase of the project, extension workers from the Rural Agricultural Development Authority as well as selected ginger farmers will be trained in the use of biological and other methods to further limit the reoccurrence of the GRR disease and increase the production of clean, good quality and healthy ginger.