Speaking at the annual general meetings of the Christiana Potato Growers' and Jamaica Goat Farmers' Associations, in Manchester and St Catherine, respectively, on Thursday, Clarke noted that there had been significantly high volumes of potato and goat meat imports, within the last few years.

Addressing delegates at the Christiana Potato Growers' Co-operative offices, Clarke said that while imports remained high, the farmers' efforts had been pivotal in halving Jamaica's import bill for the staple between 2008 and 2010.

"You have allowed us to decrease our import bill for Irish potatoes from US$4 million in 2008 to US$2.6 million in 2010. (Further), you have been able to satisfy much more than a half of the demand for fresh Irish potatoes in 2010 and 2011 from local production. This is a commendable achievement. What this means is that our consuming public is now being fed with more fresh, locally produced varieties that are of the highest standards and quality," the minister pointed out.

While applauding the "significant strides" being made in improving production and productivity, Clarke cited the need for valued-added production, which he described as "one important piece of the puzzle that we are missing." He lamented that Jamaica was importing a wide range of value-added products, such as chips, wedges, and fries, pointing to some US$15.1 million of imports in 2010.

"It cannot be that we are spending valuable US dollars on the importation of by-products that can be produced locally. If we are to advance the gains made in this sub-sector, then a concerted effort must be made to reverse this trend. I am therefore encouraging all potato growers to organise themselves into functional groups that are effective and those that will seek to take production from its primary state to other processed products that are required by our hotel chains, fast-food outlets, and other consumers," he emphasised.

The minister is also inviting private-sector input. He pointed out that while the Government has a role to play in ensuring that the necessary policies are enacted to guarantee that the value chain continues, the private sector must "see the wisdom and the income potential," in taking operations from primary production through to value-added activities.