High expectations for arrowroot harvesting in 2016

Optimism is high in the Ministry of Agriculture about the 2016 arrowroot crop.

Minister of Agriculture Saboto Caesar, in a release, said an increase in production of the crop is expected in 2016, continuing the trend from 2012, where price increase has fuelled an increase in production.{{more}}

Harvesting for arrowroot is scheduled to begin on January 4, 2016.

“The Arrowroot Association has more than tripled the production of starch in the past three years,” the Minister stated.

Caesar further noted that the refurbishing of the arrowroot factory at Owia and the expansion of the drying facility will be high on the agenda for the coming year.

He, however, noted that one of the drawbacks in 2015 was the small size of the drying house, which in 2016 will witness a refurbishment.

The Arrowroot Industry Association is also proposing several restructuring activities, including the operation of the cassava factory at Orange Hill.