THE Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries will be expanding turmeric and ginger production as it seeks to expand the island’s spice industry.

Portfolio Minister, Roger Clarke, made the announcement yesterday during a tour of the ministry’s Export Division on Marcus Garvey Drive in Kingston.

“We will launch, in two weeks time, a project to put into production some 350 acres of turmeric and 150 acres of ginger. We will be putting in 10 acres of shade houses to deal with the planting material for the expansion,” he stated.

He said some 10 extension officers have been engaged as part of that operation.

Turmeric, which is the base for the curry spice, is currently cultivated in the parishes of St. Elizabeth, Hanover, St. James, St. Thomas and Portland. Ginger is mainly grown in Trelawny, Clarendon and Manchester.

The minister said that for this year’s crop, the Export Division will be employing more than 30 people in the preparation of ginger, including peeling.

He said by all indications, operations at the division are going well.

“You have diversified your markets, which is something that is commendable,” he said.

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