sorrel
AS MAJOR attempts to revive sorrel for Christmas increase, one local company has taken a major step to pump energy and renewed commitment into the business of sorrel cultivation, with a view to sustaining the sorrel juice market.
Trade Winds Citrus Limited, makers of Tru-Juice fruit juices, which includes a sorrel/ginger drink, has provided assistance for farmers, some of whom are employees, to cultivate enough sorrel to meet the demand over the Christmas season and into the New Year.
BOG WALK FARMERS
The company is providing incentives for the farmers in Bog Walk, St. Catherine, by giving them access to fertile land, technical expertise and seedlings to cultivate over 20 acres of the Mexican and Bashment sorrel. In return, Trade Winds Citrus buys the produce from the farmers at a guaranteed price.
The project got under way in June on 25 acres of land owned by Trade Winds Citrus, with individual farmers or groups of farmers getting half-acre plots to cultivate. Planting was done up to mid-September and the final crop reaped early December. The farmers received free seedlings and were able to obtain fertiliser through a credit arrangement with the company.
FIVE TONS REAPED
To date, more than five tons of sorrel have been reaped. The project, however, experienced a major setback with the heavy rainfall, which devastated two-thirds of the crop as well as a root disease which affected the plant.
"The project has been going very well because it ensures that we have the quantity we need to produce our sorrel drink," said Lawrence Bowie, Trade Winds Citrus' agricultural manager.
Overall, he said the farmers have been enthusiastic about the project, especially because they benefit from a guaranteed price for their produce. He said the project augurs well for the future of agriculture and in highlighting the potential for the cultivation of sorrel on a commercial basis.
Justin Robinson, one of the participating farmers, views the project as a major business opportunity. During the citrus planting season he would not normally be engaged in active farming except for a small amount of backyard gardening. However, when he learnt of the project, he quickly got involved and teamed up with four other farmers to prepare two acres. Today, Mr. Robinson is smiling and looking forward to the next year.
"We see it as a good venture for small farmers as it not only provides income for farmers and increases the stock of sorrel in the parish, but it also ensures sustainability of the juice production," said Andrew Carty, parish manager for the Rural Agricultural development Authority (RADA) in St. Catherine.
