MANDEVILLE, Manchester – Zon International holdings has committed $1 billion to the Mandeville-based Northern Caribbean University, through a partnership which launched Jamaica’s newest nutraceutical product, Zon Teasan, on Monday during the university’s 20th Charter Day ceremony.

Former NCU president and vice-president of Zon International Holdings, Dr Trevor Gardner, announced the organisation’s commitment to NCU during the ceremony.

“This drive that we are going on today is committed to providing NCU with more than one billion Jamaican dollars,” he said.

The financial commitment to NCU is linked to planned sales of Zon Teasan, which was described on Monday as a nutrient-packed extract from a special strain of the locally- grown ginger plant.

The function was told that the extract from the McGhie Jamaica Cinnamon Ginger makes a refreshing and tasty herbal tea. It is said to be rich in antioxidant which is necessary to suppress cancer formation in the body.

It was claimed on Monday that the extract may also aid in the treatment of dysmenorrhea (menstrual cramps) and diabetes.

Cultivation of the plant is expected to utilise 40,000 acres of land and provide at least 160,000 jobs in the medium-to-long term.

Gardner said the financial commitment to NCU is being done in three areas.

“One is the agricultural programme and two is a cancer research institute here at NCU. Zon has also decided to develop an innovation farm where good ideas will be developed through the investment of millions,” he said.

He added: “There are three institutions that Zon is working with presently: The College of Agriculture Science and Education (CASE), the Jamaica 4-H and NCU. These institutions are in partnership with Zon.”

“Where medicine and health care is going today we are acknowledging that there is no question that conventional medicine is not doing the job and a significant number of medical personnel who give treatment are now saying we have got to bring a nutraceutical mix into the treatment of patients,” said Gardner.

He added: “Zon is providing opportunities for all students who are desirous of getting a good education, particularly in agriculture to be able to get assistance through the Learning and Earning Agricultural Programme (LEAP). Zon is saying to these students that if you are willing to work, then your passport through university up to the bachelor’s level is secured.”

NCU’s initial research on the ginger-like plant contributed to the development of the product, Zon Teasan and NCU President Dr Lincoln Edwards said it was a landmark in scientific research for the university.

“This is an important achievement for this institution which is marking its 20th anniversary of being awarded university status today [June 24], while celebrating its centennial year of direct service to the community of Manchester and central Jamaica,” said Edwards.

He added: “As the institution prepares to embark on another century, we are seized by the fact that as an institution of higher learning we must increase our footprint in the areas of research and development to improve the quality of the population of Jamaica and the other territories that we serve.”

Edwards said the partnership between NCU and Zon International Holdings is to launch an institutional and national transformation drive to fund the expansion and modernisation of the research capacity at the institution.

“The transformation drive, which is to be funded by proceeds from the sale of the Teasan for the first 18 months, will provide the university with significant injection to improve its medicinal research capabilities,” he said.

The collaboration is also expected to expand the institution’s agricultural activities to benefit surrounding communities as well as promote science, technology and innovation.

“The possibility also exists for NCU to enter the medical practitioners’ arena by establishing a naturopathic school and providing treatment using indigenous plants,” said Dr Edwards.