Northern Caribbean University Partners with Jamaican Government on Potato Growing Biotech Venture

From ANN, February 22, 2017:   Northern Caribbean University officials have agreed to partner with the government of Jamaica on a biotech potato growing project aimed at slashing import costs.

Leaders of the Adventist university signed a memorandum of understanding with the government, the Jamaica Social Investment Fund and the Scientific Research Council on January 25.

The hope is that the project will produce potatoes grown in Jamaica and save $4 million spent on importing Irish potatoes.

The program is being funded with $141,500 and will use NCU’s biotechnology to allow for the cultivation of 800,000 Irish potato cutlets using micro tubers.

The cooperation will bring revenue to the university. The government is funding the purchase of additional necessary technology to produce NCU’s quota of 266,000 Irish tissue culture plantlets.

NCU enjoys a strong academic reputation in Jamaica. It is particularly recognized for the strength of its Natural and Applied Sciences, Allied Health and Nursing College. The institution’s student population numbers at about 6,000.

The Adventist News Network (ANN) is the official news service of the Adventist denomination.