Developing an export herb industry - The Jamaican Model: a viable and sustainable means of development

RESUMO

An export herb industry would promote and facilitate the production and industrialization of medicinal and other herbs for an export market, which is estimated to be worth US$ 58 billion and growing at 15 percent annually. This will have far-reaching impact on many sectors such as health, agriculture, tourism, manufacturing, finance, foreign affairs and trade. The pursuit of this industry involves R&D, production, industrialization and commrcialization of the selected herbs. Import substitution of approximately US$ 2.5 million is also involved. Jamaica has the ability and sustainable advantages to ensure the success of this project. Several of 120 major medicinal plants in the world can grow here. Jamaica also has a large unemployed rural labour force, which could produce primary and value added products. The public sector will support R&D capacity for this project. The socio-economic benefits are significant and widespread. This represents an opportunity to attract our youth into agriculture and reduce rural poverty. It can minimize the dislocation of small farmers, threatened byliberalization, and removal of preferential free trade of outputs in which they are not likely to develop competitiveness in the medium term. This project will shift labour from producing illegal drugs into the production of high value medicinal herbs. The production and export of herbs will not require production subsidies. This industry will enhance the product and improve the affordability of local health care