Seed Technology Centre to be Established at Bodles Research Station in St. Catherine

A Seed Technology Centre is to be established at the Bodles Agricultural Research Station in St Catherine.

The Centre will serve as a repository of local genes and germplasm pool and a cutting-edge seed-processing facility aimed at optimising the swift extraction, treatment, and drying of seeds for use by farmers.

Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Hon. Floyd Green, made the disclosure during his contribution to the 2024/25 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on Tuesday (May 21).

Mr. Green informed that through a Pilot Programme for Climate Resilience (PPCR), managed by the Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI) and implemented by the University of the West Indies (UWI), the Ministry has secured a state-of-the-art, high-volume commercial seed dryer.

“Additionally, this year we are securing a seed steriliser for our Plant Quarantine and Inspection Branch. What this means [is] when farmers import their seeds, we will now have the ability to sterilise those seeds to reduce or eliminate any introduction of seed-borne pests at our airports,” he explained.

Meanwhile, Minister Green informed that this year, the Government will be commencing the process of establishing a Seed and Nursery Certification Unit. This, he said, will stand as a driver for regulating the seed and nursery sector.

Mr. Green further indicated that the Unit’s establishment forms part of plans to ensure that the seeds provided in the market meet the requisite standards for production and productivity.

He thanked the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations for its assistance, “as we look to promulgate the necessary seed regulations to guide the industry”.