Jamaica
The Land of Wood and Water
Why Jamaica?
Jamaica is derived from the original Taino word Xaymaca, meaning “land of wood and water”. The country’s river-formed alluvial plains, flat land and fertile soils allow for easy cultivation. Jamaica has a long tradition of farming and agricultural production is an important contributor to the country’s economy and employment. Consequently, the country has a strong infrastructure to support its production.
Bamboo bioproducts aim to transform approximately 25,000 acres of idle lands into prosperous, sustainable bamboo farmland. This will include Government of Jamaica lands in partnership with the Sugar Company of Jamaica and privately owned lands to plant, farm, and harvest one million metric tonnes of green bamboo annually. We are further working to source bamboo from small holdings by way of an organised cooperative scheme that will create cottage industries and stimulate entrepreneurships.
A strategically located logistical hub
Kingston Harbour in Jamaica is the seventh-largest natural harbour in the world. It is an almost landlocked area of water approximately 16 kilometres (9.9 mi) long by 3.2 kilometres (2.0 mi) wide.
Montego Bay, set on Jamaica’s north coast close to BBP’s mill site, is a major award-winning cruise ship port. It is now being strategically equipped as a feeder port to handle containers as well as cruisers.
Jamaica has bamboo
It is believed bamboo was introduced into Jamaica from “Hispaniola” in the 18th Century (Long 1972; Powell 1972), although opinions differ on whether it was the early (Storer 1958) or late 18th century (Anonymous 1910; Jamaica Agricultural Society 1954).
