Top Alston takes another dig at ginger

Farmers in Top Alston, Clarendon, are thankful for the greenhouse project that was funded by the Caribbean Development Bank and implemented by Environmental Foundation of Jamaica.

Herbert Freckleton, president of the farmers group, said that it has been making a big difference in the community.

Ginger, which was once a major crop in Top Alston, is the main produce in the climate-smart greenhouse. The problem of root rot disease in Top Alston, a predominantly farming community, has been compounded by the rhizome rat disease, which Freckleton said led to ginger crops being wiped out. Freckleton is hoping that the greenhouse experiment will revive the ginger production in the community. However, he said he will not know the outcome until late October into November, as the crop was planted in January.

The greenhouse, which is self-contained, is run by a solar system and is equipped with water harvesting.

While Freckleton awaits the long-term ginger crop, he said they have invested in cash crops such as pak choi, bell and hot peppers, and spinach.

"We put in some vegetable as short term to help us with finance, so that we can manage to help each other who are involved in the programme to get a little cash for the time being until the ginger come on stream," Freckleton said.

The farmers group president said that they have had no issue in finding market for their produce.