Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries Dr Christopher Tufton says the recent expansion of the warehouse at the Ministry’s Export Complex, at the Norman Manley International Airport, is an attempt to take full advantage of Jamaica’s earning potential in the export market.

Noting that the agricultural sector produced $106 billion worth of goods last year, representing a 12 per cent increase over the previous year, Dr Tufton said the industry had tremendous scope and the potential to provide even more for markets beyond local shores.

The Minister was speaking yesterday at the official commissioning of the warehouse, which was recently expanded from 4,000 square feet to over 7,000 square feet, at a cost of some $75 million.

“Part of the mission of the government, and certainly this Ministry, is to expand what we have. Our mission is to grow more, to create more opportunities for our farmers, and to ensure that we feed more consumers, and those consumers have to go beyond Jamaica, because there is a limit to the marketplace here in Jamaica,” Dr. Tufton said.

He pointed out that for some of the critical crops produced locally, for example root crops, sauces and hot peppers, Jamaica has produced more than the local market can absorb in its current form.

“One of the big challenges therefore, is that we have to look at the range of markets that are available to us, and to see how we expand to supply those who may want and have the purchasing power to support what we have to offer,” he said.

Dr Tufton argued that if agriculture is to be expanded further, so that farmers can earn more, “we are going to have to find markets that extend well beyond our own local environment.”

He said it is in this context that the government decided to expand the capacity of the Ministry’s Export Complex.

The complex, over the last five years, has exported some 23 million kilograms of agricultural produce, and has earned close to $105 million in user fees, he informed.

The Ministry’s Plant Quarantine/Produce Inspection Branch took over management of the complex in 2001.

The Export Complex is a phytosanitary inspection, certification and treatment facility, complemented by cargo handling and preparation capabilities along with old storage facilities.

Export Complex Manager, Sylvester Christie, noted that the complex was established using the concept of a “one stop” export facility for agricultural exports. As such, it houses all the relevant agencies involved in the process of exporting agricultural produce. These include, Customs, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Inspectorate and management staff of the Ministry along with the Airlines (AJAS and Air Jamaica).

The complex began its operations in 1983 as a fumigation facility and has since undergone several phases of expansion and development. The most recent phase of expansion has been the completion of 3,200 square feet of additional warehouse space and a covered walkway leading into the administrative building, which was completed in July 2010.