NATIONAL NUTRACEUTICAL INDUSTRY FEATURE ......NATIONAL NUTRACEUTICAL INDUSTRY FEATURE• MONDAY,...

NATIONAL NUTRACEUTICAL INDUSTRY FEATURE• MONDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2015 9

10 NATIONAL NUTRACEUTICAL INDUSTRY FEATURE• MONDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2015

THE MINISTRY of Science, Technology,Energy and Mining fully endorses theinvolvement of our young farmers in

the development of a viable nutraceuticalindustry in Jamaica and the recent consumma-tion of a memorandum of understanding(MOU) between the Jamaica 4 H Clubs andthe National Commission on Science andTechnology (NCST) is a practical expressionof our commitment and support.

The MOU resulted from the mandategiven to the NCST by the prime ministerand chairman of the National Commissionto pursue the orderly development of aNational Nutraceutical Industry in Jamaica.This industry would embrace the culturalvalues, traditional knowledge and practicesof our people while promoting the applica-tion of scientific methods, the use of appro-priate technology and adherence to interna-tionally accepted standards and industrybest practices.

A major activity under the MOU involves

the training of 1,000 young nutraceuticalfarmers, in batches of 30-35 trainees. Thepilot project involved the training of 31youth, designed to develop their capacity togrow and process nutraceutical plants into

viable products, incorporating good agricul-tural and manufacturing practices.

TRAINING PROGRAMME

The training programme is a pilot to amuch more extensive programme developedby the Biotechnology Centre at the Universi-ty of the West Indies, Mona, to engage theJamaica 4-H Clubites in enhancing the appli-cation of science and technology in agricul-tural practices. The training was developedand delivered by the Scientific ResearchCouncil (SRC) and the Jamaica 4-H Clubs.

The participants were selected on the basisthat they were 18-35 years; have a back-ground/education in agriculture, interestedin growing nutraceutical crops, unemployedand own or have access to land.

The training took place over two weeks,from October 5-16, 2015 at the ScientificResearch Council and the Jamaica 4-H Clubstraining facilities in Rosehall, Linstead, StCatherine. Subsequent to the training, assis-

tance will be offered to propel them intoentrepreneurial ventures. This will involveproviding support in the cultivation of some100 acres of land accessible to the trainees.

The country can derive tremendous eco-nomic and social benefits from this sector,which is teeming with opportunity for large,small, medium and micro enterprises.

MAIN FOCUS

Unlike typical high production agriculturalfarming, nutraceutical farming focuses on effi-cacy, plant variability monitoring, non-toxicgrowing environments, proper wild craftingprinciples, safe storage and proper transportof materials, etc. These are critical aspects tosafeguarding the quality and safety of the endproducts and form the basis of supplements,herbal medicines and functional foods in thenutraceutical industry.

Now that the first cohort of youngnutraceutical farmers have been trained inthe pilot programme, the evaluation of theproject will guide the training of up to 1,000Jamaica 4-H Clubites across the island overthe next two years.

As Deputy Chairman of the NCST, andminister with portfolio responsibility forScience and Technology I have embraced theinitiative and has offered support in the pro-vision of 30 tablets uploaded with the trainingmaterial.

PHILLIP PAULWELLMinister of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining & Deputy Chairman, NCST

Empowering our youngnutraceutical farmers


ON JULY 24, 2015 when theJamaica 4H clubs embarkedon this journey through the

signing of a memorandum of under-standing with the National Commis-sion on Science and Technology(NCST), we endeavoured to look atsome of the following:

� design and implementation ofprojects using an applied scienceand technology approach

� provision of lands and green-house space for the production ofnutraceutical plants

� the 4-H Clubs in partnershipwith the University of the WestIndies (UWI) will establish a PlantPropagation and Tissue Culture Labat our Salisbury Plain in St Andrew

� provide analysis of productionand projects, which will inform thedevelopment and improvement ofpolicies.

We are well under way as these31 individuals prepare to take thenext step to nutraceutical success.

I thank our partners, the NCST,the Scientific Research Counciland the UWI as we continue topromote the mix of agriculture,science and technology.

In 2000 when I became chair-man of the Jamaica 4-H Clubs, ourmembership was 18,000. Today,our membership is at 94,054 withmore than 1,110 clubs and 3,000leaders. As a result of this specificprogramme and others, we arereducing the average age of ourfarmers progressively, from in thehigh 60’s, 25 years ago to the high40’s now.

This is a significant achieve-ment in the agricultural sector.Though the Jamaica 4-H Clubs,the Ministry of Agriculture andFisheries and the Government ofJamaica have invested over thelast five years, more than one bil-lion dollars through budgetingsupport.

SENATOR NORMAN W. GRANT OD, JPChairman, Jamaica 4 H Clubs, Board of Directors and Vice-chairman 4-H Global Network Board

Congratulations on behalf of the National NutraceuticalIndustry Steering Committee to Mr Norman Wright, manag-ing director, Perishables Jamaica, for graduating the MSc inComplementary and Alternative Medicine programme at theUniversity of Technology, Jamaica!

CONGRATULATIONS!Next step tonutraceutical success


SPEECH

THE JAMAICA 4-H Clubsand the National Commis-sion on Science and Tech-

nology (NCST) have partnered toproduce the first batch of qualifiedYoung Nutraceutical Farmers inJamaica.

As a result of their new-found skills,these youngsters can now enter theindustry, not only as agriculturalists,but also the newest cadre of nutraceu-tical entrepreneurs.

This programme came out of amemorandum of understandingsigned between the NCST and the

Jamaica 4-H Clubs in July of thisyear. For the design and implemen-tation of this programme, special

commendation must be given tothe University of the West Indies,the Scientific Research Council,members of staff of the 4-H Clubs,and the NCST. Training of the par-ticipants lasted two weeks.

The 31 participants were exposedto various modules, including:

� Plant-tissue culture production� Basic bio-based laboratory skills� Extraction of essential oils� Food safety systems� Good agricultural practices� The value chain management

The participants’ training was

enhanced by the incorporation oftablets provided by the Ministry ofScience, Technology, and Energyand Mining.

NEXT PHASE

We now prepare for the nextphase of the programme, whichincludes the sourcing and the provi-sion of seedlings and basic inputs tobegin cultivation on nutraceuticalcrops to the participants.

As executive director, I expressthanks to the partner agencies formaking this programme a reality.The Jamaica 4-H Clubs has been

boosting its entrepreneurial train-ing component to assist our youth.This programme is just another tocontinue our impact on theJamaican economy.

I urge the graduates to continuewhat they have started. This is anew dimension that is expected tobear fruit for them. I look forwardto seeing their progress and growthreports and your continued growthin the nutraceutical industry.

DR RONALD BLAKEExecutive DirectorJamaica 4-H Clubs

WOW! IT was twoweeks, but it felt likeyears! Through the hustleand bustle, we havemanaged to grasp it alland I’m now proud tosay we are now our ownentrepreneurs, leaders,herbalists, agriculturists.We are now neurtraceu-tically trained!

During our first week,we were trained by agroup of professionals atthe Scientific ResearchCouncil. Can youbelieve we made our own soap?Never in our wildest dreams, butwe did!

We got hands on with tissue cul-ture where plants are grown in labsat the early stages of their plantlife.

Following this, we made our ownbody butter, which I know theladies enjoyed because we want tolook young forever. We also pro-duced essential oils.

PROCESSING PLANT

At the processing plant waswhere the real fun began.

We processed our own foodproducts such as guava jelly, and ohyes, it was good.

We then went further into theextraction stage of the lemon grass,which is also the main ingredient insome products such as body lotion,body wash and essential oils.

After this, we were exposed todehydration of foods, packaging andstoring, which we all know is essen-tial in the process of manufacturing!

The week’s activities also included

the making of wine and I know guysenjoyed that topic the most!

At the end of week one, the taskwas on. We were nowtrained to be our ownbosses in starting andbuilding our businessesso that we can con-tribute to our societyand economy in a pos-itive way.

For our secondweek which was atthe 4-H Centre atRose Hall, Linstead,St Catherine. Webegan crop produc-tion, which is, ofcourse, very vital.

We were trained in how to culti-vate our lands, what crops to plantand in which season, but our mainfocus was on ginger and turmericindustries which are growing fast inour economy.

They were endless and weenjoyed every bit of and it.

We were selected from across theisland with different backgroundsand personalities. We ate, sang,chatted and laughed together. Webonded as a family with one thingin common: We believed in our-selves, the training, and that wecould make a difference.

We are here as living proof for allto see and to share in our dream.

As I close, I must say a big thankyou, on behalf of my fellow gradu-ates, to all who made this possible.

I will now end with a quote byBob Marley:

“Don’t gain the world and lose yoursoul, wisdom is better than silver orgold.”

PETROVA KENWOODValedictorian

Newest cadre of nutraceutical entrepreneurs

We made it! GRADUATION HIGHLIGHTS

Nakia McDonald (second left) being presented with a tablet by Phillip Paulwell, minister of sci-ence, technology, energy and mining; along with Senator Norman Grant (second right), chair-man of the Jamaica 4H Clubs; and Professor Errol Morrison (right), director general, NationalCommission on Science and Technology. Looking on is Dr Ronald Blake, executive director ofJamaica 4-H Clubs.

Top achiever in the trainingprogramme, Sherene Green,being presented with a cer-tificate for Most OutstandingStudent by Minister PhillipPaulwell.

Phillip Paulwell (left), minister of science, technology, energyand mining and deputy chair of the National Commission onScience and Technology (NCST); and Professor ErrolMorrison, director general of NCST.


NCU steeped in medicinal herbs researchNORTHERN CARIBBEAN University (NCU)

has been engaged in research activities on avariety of medicinal plants. The botanical plot

on the main campus in Mandeville contains variousplants of medicinal value, which include sorrel, aloevera, lemon grass, moringa, miracle fruit, mint, tree oflife, turmeric and ginger.

Traditionally, sorrel (Hibiscus sabdariffa) has beenserved as a favourite drink for Jamaicans during thefestive season. However, in recent years, it is pro-duced all year round and is now commonly found indifferent food products, including syrup, jam, juiceand wine. Our investigations have revealed thatsorrel has high nutritional and medicinal properties,which include antioxidant and anti-cancer proper-ties. It is also an immune system builder, increasinggood cholesterol.

THE MIRACLE FRUIT

NCU researchers have also focused on anotherplant of nutraceutical value, the miracle fruit (Synsepa-lumdulcificum). The leaves of the miracle fruit are highin protein content, while both leaves and berries arehigh in flavonoids and terpenoids. They express bene-ficial bioactivities, including antioxidant, anti-cancer,anti-inflammatory, anti-allergenic, anti-anginal andantimicrobial properties in humans. The miracle fruitcould be harnessed as a natural antibiotic against life-

threatening microbes like Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Alsonotable is our study on the anti-cancer properties ofginger.

Professor Vincent Wright (left), dean, Collegeof Natural and Applied Sciences, Allied Healthand Nursing, at the Northern CaribbeanUniversity, shares information on moringa withhis colleague, Professor Samson Omoregie,acting chair, Department of Biology, Chemistryand Environmental Sciences.

FOR CENTURIES, scientificresearch has played an impor-tant role in the generation ofnew knowledge, new technolo-gies and the training of skilledindividuals. One such area isnatural products research whichhas been the backbone of thenutraceutical, cosmetic andpharmaceutical industries.

Today, this process continuesand has been expanded at theUniversity of Technology, Jamaica(UTech) with primary focus onresearch, conservation advocacyand education. To this end, theNatural Products Research Labo-ratory (NPRL) was created at theuniversity with grant fundingfrom the Global EnvironmentalFacility/Small Grants Pro-gramme/United Nations Develop-ment Fund and the Environmen-tal Foundation of Jamaica.

The laboratory’s aims:

Natural Products ResearchLaboratory at the Universityof Technology, Jamaica

PLEASE SEE RESEARCH, 14


SRC enabling developmentof nutraceutical industryTHE GLOBAL nutraceutical

industry is estimated atUS$270 billion and is consid-

ered one of the fastest-growing sec-tors worldwide and is projected to beworth US$600 billion with the open-ing of the Asian markets. Nutraceuti-cals are products when consumed orused, results in specific health bene-fits. Awareness of this industry hasbeen heightened over the years driv-en by the needs of the consumers forhealth, wellness and longevity.

One hundred and sixty plants havebeen declared as having medicinalproperties worldwide, of which 80 areendemic to Jamaica. The ScientificResearch Council (SRC) is cognisantof Jamaica’s rich biodiversity, execut-ing testing on more than 100 locallygrown plants. The results indicatedhigh antioxidant activity in more than40 per cent of the plants traditionallyused in folk medicine.

The SRC conducts tests for intrinsicqualities associated with nutraceuti-cals, such as antioxidants, ant-inflam-

matory and antimicrobial activity inplants and products. Antioxidantpotency is an indicator of the prod-uct’s ability to combat aging activity;inflammatory is directly related to painand joint fatigue and antimicrobial isassociated with wound healing. Addi-tionally, the SRC engages in the devel-

opment of functional beverages, thefilling of capsules as supplements andpersonal care products.

PARTNERSHIP

The SRC committed to the devel-opment of the nutraceutical industry,recently partnered with the NationalCommission on Science and Tech-nology and the Jamaica 4-H Clubs totrain 31 youths, ages 18-35, fromacross the island to grow medicinalplants. This augers well for thenation in terms of its ability to pro-vide raw material to support thenutraceutical market;create employ-ment and generate wealth throughmass cultivation and employment.

Jamaica can secure the health ben-efits promised by nutraceuticals.With greater involvement of peoplefrom all sector of the society, we canwithout a doubt secure a place in theglobal Health and Wellness Market.

CLIFF RILEY, PHDExecutive Director, SRC

1) To conduct basic phar-macological, biomedical andphytochemical investigationsof Jamaican plants with spe-cial emphasis on endemic andendangered plants of theCockpit Country.

2) To expose the innatevalue of these species therebypromoting conservation andprotection.

3) To foster discovery andscientific interests among sec-ondary students throughactive engagement.

4) To train the next gener-ation of undergraduate andgraduate students to thehighest international levelswithin the field.

An MPhil/PhD in Chem-istry programme in the Facul-ty of Science and Sport atUTech, Jamaica, wasdesigned to enable graduatestudents to work in the

NPRL and obtain higherdegrees of significant localand international value.Through hands-on experi-ence, state of the art instru-mentation and techniques,all stakeholders will be ableto benefit from the resultsobtained at the NRPL.

The outcomes of this vitalproject have been reinforcedby collaborations with the Sci-entific Research Council; Min-istry of Agriculture and Fish-eries; Natural Product Insti-tute; Department of Chem-istry at the University of theWest Indies, Mona; McNeeseState University, and other rel-evant institutions.

DR ANDREW S. LAMMDirector, Centre for Science-based Research, Entrepreneurship and Continuing Studies;Principal Investigator: Natural Products Research Laboratory, University of Technology, Jamaica.

RESEARCHCONTINUED FROM 13


Scientific research endorsingJamaica’s cultural knowledge

TIMELESS HERBAL Care isa new, dynamic Jamaicancompany dedicated

to combining present dayscience, technology andinnovation with the tradi-tional knowledge and cre-ativity of our people todevelop an alternativehealth and wellnessindustry, using nutraceu-ticals and pharmaceuti-cals known worldwide totreat and prevent illnesses.

A major policy of Timeless is topractise (meaningful community-development) with the decentralisa-tion operations so that farmers andrural residents benefit financially intheir communities, experience,increased employment, opportuni-ties that will spawn new businessesor expand others, thereby, stemmingthe rural-urban drift problem. Thefirst two products – Dr Williams’Original Tonic Wine and Restora-tive and a Pain Rub, that Timeless isbringing to market, were in factdeveloped by Jamaicans, one indeep rural Jamaica.

Timeless is proud to be the firstcompany in Jamaica to receive a

licence to cultivate ganjafor medicinal purposesand will play a major rolein the development ofthe medicinal ganjaindustry. In this regard wehave partnered with anumber of local farmers,businesspersons, foreigninterests, The Universityof The West Indies and

other entities.Timeless has roots in the ganja

industry, as our CEO, Mr HawthorneWatson, is a pioneer researcher onganja, proposed a structure forCannabitriol, a cannabinoid found inJamaican ganja.

We recognise the overarchingresponsibility of the National Com-mission on Science and Technologyand look forward to a long, fruitful,and mutually beneficial relationship,as together we seek to positionJamaicans for greater socio-economicdevelopment.

COURTNEY BETTYChief Executive Officer

Who shall dispensemedicinal cannabis?JAMAICA is seized with the possibilitiesof Cannabisresearch for nutraceutical,pharmaceutical and cosmoceutical pur-poses. The University of Technology,Jamaica, Jamaica’s National University,was granted a licence in May2015 by the Government ofJamaicato further explore thetherapeutic potential of theplant. Through our School ofPharmacy,trains students todevelop stable and safe healthproducts.We train comple-mentary and alternative med-icines experts and herbologistswho may have interest in thetherapeutic uses of Cannabis.VALUE OF CANNABIS RESEARCH LICENCEThe Cannabis research licence assisted usto forge an agreement with Steep HillJamaica to strengthen Cannabis testingcapacities. We have trained over 600pharmacists about the emerging science inCannabis testing. Our partner, GanjaLLC, is finalizing its experimentalgrows.The next stages of the University’svalue chain is about to unfold based onappropriate niches that exist.IMPORTANT SOCIAL EXPERIMENTWe pose the question, “Who shall dispense

Cannabis?” because of loose and disconcerting

use of legally protected terms in the current

Cannabis debate. The gap between

nutraceutical and pharmaceutical classifi-

cation is fraught with pot-

holes in most cases.Depend-

ing on the classifications,

well intended amendments

that decriminalized ganja

use and opened up the

space for medicinal research

may result in the reduction

of emphasis on dispensing

and counseling in the con-

text of a Jamaica in which

ganja use is endemic. This would be a

most undesirable outcome. Such consid-

erations have contributed to the balanced

and tightly controlled approach that

UTech, Ja has adopted in the use of its

licence. We are conscious that in an

important social experiment that requires

responsible thinking and action is under-

way.DR ELLEN GRIZZLEThe University of Technology,Jamaica

16 THE GLEANER’S FLAIR MAGAZINE • MONDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2015

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