Soufriere wipes out fledgling ackee cultivation- Agriculture Minister

Minister of Agriculture, Saboto Caesar has revealed that this country’s efforts to diversify agricultural crops faced a set back as it relates to ackee cultivation.

The Minister spoke of this in Parliament last Thursday, July 13, while responding to a question from opposition Senator, Israel Bruce.

Senator Bruce wanted the minister to update the nation on the distribution of planting materials to produce ackee.

He also wanted to know how many acres of land are cultivated with ackee, and the training given to local farmers about this crop.

In his response, Minister Caesar said following the decline of the banana industry, his ministry came up with a well planned diversification strategy.

This included, the cultivation of ackee and 5,226 ackee plants were distributed to farmers between 2019 and 2021.

The trees were planted on seven acres of land in both North Leeward and North Windward.

The Minister explained that all the ackee plants fell victim to the heavy ash fall during the April 2021 eruption of La Soufriere Volcano, and subsequently.

Both the North Leeward and North Windward communities are in the volcanic red hazard zone.

Minister Caesar said the Sandals Resort which will be opened here soon, had already stated it’s intention to purchase ackee from local growers.

He added that the areas where the ackee was planted were well suited for the cultivation of this crop.