US sees potential in Jamaican agriculture

The US Agency for International Development (USAID) has pegged Jamaica's agricultural sector as a "real bright spot" and potential growth area for the country at this time.

According to the USAID mission director Karen Hilliard, while the sector has been viewed as the Cinderella of the Jamaican economy based on its contribution to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in recent times, it has "great potential".

"Even though agriculture accounted historically for around 7% of GDP, and that's not a lot these days, it takes on increasing significance as around 20-25% of Jamaicans are employed in the sector," Hilliard said.

She noted that the sector is booming in Jamaica despite the financial crisis and the worldwide recession.

She also said that there were also huge export opportunities to be created if the sector was supported at the right levels, further noting that the use of greenhouse technology will further advance the sector.