November 22, 2012

The Jamaica Broilers Group's production of the first crop of corn for local animal feed, harvesting of which was completed on Wednesday (Nov 14), was described as revolutionary by the country's Agriculture Minister Roger Clarke.

The crop was grown in a pilot project on 100 acres of land at Spring Village, St. Catherine.

"What I have seen here today is revolutionary as far as corn production in this country is concerned and is another example of the continuous fighting spirit of JBG," said Clarke who was present at the harvesting.

"I was here when the seeds were planted and I am encouraged by the results so far," the Agriculture Minister added.

The Minister had a bird's eye view of the corn field, located near the Best Dressed Chicken Processing Plant, while travelling in a John Deere harvester, the first of its kind in Jamaica.

A release from the company quoted Vice President for Marketing – Feeds and Agricultural Supplies at JBG, Conley Salmon as saying that "despite the recent heavy flood rains and Hurricane Sandy, we were able to achieve acceptable yields for the first crop and there are plans to expand the acreage under production by about 20% for the next plantingseason."

Project manager Norman Williams said the grow-out and sun-drying period of the current crop took four months and the land is to be prepared immediately for replanting.

"At this point we are testing a variety of corn in order to ascertain the type with the highest yield which can be grown cost effectively," he said.

Using the successful business model for its poultry operations, Jamaica Broilers plans to invite contract farmers to grow corn and supply the Group for its production of animal feed under the Hi-Pro brand.

Jamaica Broilers Group has launched the national corn project in an effort to save foreign exchange used to import the grain, the cost of which has climbed to a record high in recent months.

The Ministry of Agriculture has committed to partnering with JBG to utilise suitable unused farm land to get this initiative to a critical mass.