JAMAICA grew 24 per cent more crops during the first quarter of 2011 compared to the same period last year, announced the Ministry of Agriculture today.

The total of 147,378 tonnes of produce is the highest figure to be recorded in any single quarter since 1999. When combined with export commodities (sugar, coffee, banana, cocoa) the overall sector grew 14 per cent.

“Vegetables increased by 20,000 tonnes, an upturn of some 55 per cent. The increase was fuelled by spikes in lettuce production by 118.1 per cent; string bean 97 per cent; tomato 83 per cent; cabbage 80 percent; pak choi 73 per cent; cucumber 67 per cent; carrot 38 per cent; and pumpkin 36 per cent," said agriculture minister Christopher Tufton.

Other areas which experienced high absolute increases were condiments 34.5 per cent; tubers 21 per cent; fruits 19 per cent; and potato 13 per cent.

Tufton added that Jamaica should experience continued growth throughout the second quarter, barring no unforeseen eventualities.

Coffee production rose by 52 per cent moved from 1,352 tonnes in 2010 to 2,053 tonnes in 2011 despite problems reaping the crop caused by damaged roads.

Benefitting from better weather conditions and an improved market situation, cocoa production made a significant recovery during the first quarter. Production moved from 67 tonnes in 2010 to 189 tonnes in 2011. This is an increase of some 182 per cent.

All parishes recorded increased production with Clarendon recording figures of 39 per cent; St Ann 38 per cent; St Elizabeth 33 per cent followed by Hanover and Manchester both having increases of 32.1 per cent respectively.

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