IAEA - International Atomic Energy Agency

05/11/2021 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 05/11/2021 06:09

Nuclear Techniques Help to Revive Ginger Production in Jamaica

Jamaica, once known as the world's leading producer of ginger, has fallen from the ranks and become a victim of widespread diseases affecting ginger cultivation. Ginger production has steadily declined on the Caribbean island over the last 20 years, affecting farmers' income and livelihood.

'Some farmers are losing more than half of their harvests due to diseases affecting large swaths of land cultivated with ginger,' said Ruth Simpson, an agricultural consultant for the Environmental Health Fund Project, a national organization working to support the environment in Jamaica.

The IAEA, in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), is supporting Jamaica by developing new ginger varieties, tolerant to prevailing diseases. While the IAEA and FAO have supported experts all over the world in breeding over two dozen different crops, it is the first time that nuclear techniques are used to improve ginger. With these techniques, high-quality ginger varieties are being developed to increase the prices farmers can fetch locally and for their exports on the international market.