WESTERN BUREAU — The Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF) is to provide funding for the expansion of the bammy-making plant at Flower Hill, St James.

According to information officer at (JSIF), Christopher Surju, the work will involve the expansion of the delivery room, peeling and baking areas.

In addition to this, the changing area and bathroom facility will also be given a face-lift.

“Additionally, members of the management and staff of the bammy processing facility will receive training in waste disposal as well as marketing and management,” Surju said.

The Flower Hill bammy-making facility started its operation more than 12 years ago and caters for the local and foreign markets.

Over the last five years the enterprise, which employs 10 women, has recorded an average turnover of approximately $2 million per year, and the venture has produced nearly two million bammies in the last 12 years.

It is believed that on completion of the expansion project, production at the facility and the number of persons employed will increase significantly.

In addition to this, the number of hectares of land under cassava cultivation in Flower Hill and surrounding communities is expected to increase from 10 to 20 hectares.

At present some 50 farmers are engaged in the production of cassava for the Flower Hill venture.

Meanwhile, deputy parish manager at the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), Donald Robinson, has welcomed the planned expansion of the Flower Hill bammy factory.

RADA provides technical assistance as well as seedlings to the farmers in the Flower Hill area who are involved in producing cassava for the factory.

Robinson noted that the building which houses the facility is very small and has become very congested as it was not designed to accommodate a modern food processing enterprise which is consistent with today’s sanitary and food safety standards.

Last May, notices were served on the plant by the Public Health Department to undertake certain improvements or face the threat of being closed. The department is contending that the plant is not insect-proof and the sanitary conveniences are to be removed to the rear of the building. These problems, however, will be rectified under the expansion programme.

Robinson said there are also plans to expand the local and export market for the product.

“At the moment, we are exporting to the United States of America but we are now looking at markets in the Caribbean, Great Britain and Canada,” he said.