FEB 07

The state-controlled Marketing and National Importing Board (MNIB) has moved closer to bringing into reality an idea it had in the pipeline for the past two years.

In the next two months, the board will begin the process of dehydration of fruits, meats, herbs and flowers for the local and external markets. The MNIB last Friday commissioned its Fruit and Vegetable Drier at the River Road Pack House in St. George's.

The drier, costing $EC100,000.00 was donated to the board by the Republic of China on Taiwan (ROC). Several persons with assistance from the ROC Technical Mission and the Produce Chemist Laboratory at Tanteen have already received training in the processing of dried fruit products.

The plant will be engaged in drying fruits like mangoes, carambola, papaya, banana and ginger and herbs such as rosemary, basil, cilantro, big thyme and pepper, along with flowers for dry arrangement among others.

Chairman of the Board of Directors of MNIB, Dr. Dunstan Campbell who addressed the ceremony, said that there are several benefits to be derived for Grenada as a result of getting involved in the dehydration of fruits.

Dr. Campbell pointed out that an analysis of the industry indicated that more than 7 million pounds or about 20% of the total amount of crops produced on the island go to waste annually which result in revenue losses of over $EC3 million.

He told the gathering that the new investment will see a reduction in the amount of produce that go to waste in the country due to over supply, as well as ensuring that there is an extended availability of products in the dehydrated form during the dry season.

He also said that the MNIB will now be able to introduce a new line of products and to work with farmers for the emergence of new business ventures through the growing of more items that can be dehydrated.

According to Campbell, the island can look forward to an increase in business activities for persons involved in the designing of packaging material and labels.

Resident ambassador of the Republic of China (ROC) on Taiwan, Allan Lii-Shang-Jiang spoke of the importance of the Drier to the local agriculture industry.

He noted that it will assist in the dehydrating of herbs, vegetables, fruits, and candied fruits among others. The Taiwanese diplomat disclosed that on average the machine is able to produce 400 lbs of candied jujube, 350 lbs of candied carambola each week and around EC$4.500 to $5000 worth of candied fruit products.

He felt that the dehydrator will in the long run promote the production and consumption of dehydrated fruits and other products and provide a good source of income for the farmers on the island.

Parliamentary Representative for the Town of St. George, Peter David was on hand to turn the switch of the drier to demonstrate to the public that the Fruit Drier is ready to be put into use.

Also present at the ceremony were Education and Labour Minister, Claris Charles, General Manager of the MNIB, Fitzroy James along with several senior staffers of the board.