Now in its start-up phase, the European Union-funded Rural Diversification Programme began operations in February of this year.

With the pending removal of preferential tariffs enjoyed by ACP banana-producing countries, the European Union has now provided funding in the amount of J$669 million for the implementation of a Rural Diversification Programme to be administered through the Ministry of Agriculture over a six-year period.

The signing of the agreement for the first allocation under this programme totaling J$146.9 took place on September 11, 2006.

Stakeholder Workshops
Prior to the signing of the agreement, the Ministry hosted a series of stakeholder workshops in Portland, St. Mary and St.Thomas, the traditional banana-producing areas, to sensitize persons involved in the industry to the options available for those who were no longer able to meet the increasingly stringent quality requirements for export to the European Union.

Under the Rural Diversification Progrmame, the Ministry will be promoting income-earning agricultural, as well as non-agricultural alternatives in the tourist and service sectors for displaced persons within the banana industry.

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Contact:

Miss Marjorie Stair
Overall Coordinator, European Union Banana Support Programme
Ministry of Agriculture
Hope Gardens, Kingston 6
Tel: (876)–927–1399 / (876)–927–1399
Fax: (876)–927–2450
Email: eubspoc@cwjamaica.com

Contact:

Mr. Leslie Grant
Rural Diversification Manager, EU Diversification Programme
Ministry of Agriculture
Hope Gardens, Kingston 6
Tel: (876)–702–4176 / (876)–970–3937–3938
Fax: (876)–927–2450
Email: eubsprdp@cwjamaica.com