Miracle fruit.

Last week, we began a series on exotic fruit trees that can be grown locally. We featured: macadamia nuts, cashews and purple passion fruit. This week, we continue the series with a closer look at pond apple, miracle fruit and Barbados gooseberry.

A visit to the Rural Agricultural Development Agency's (RADA) display at the annual Denbigh Agricultural show earlier this month revealed a variety of exotic fruit trees that can be grown right here in Jamaica. So, our question is, why are we not planting more of these fruit trees for domestic and export markets? Have we not seen what can be done through the output from Tru Juice, or do we want to continue importing concentrate?

According to Locksley Waites, fruit tree crop coordinator at RADA, there is just not enough land in the hands of small farmers. To establish a successful orchard, one would need large acreages for at least 20 years because many of the crops take up to 10 years to begin showing profitable returns. Others begin bearing as early as 18 months after planting, with proper care.

But in spite of efforts to get more lands into the hands of ordinary citizens, there is still a far way to go. Since 2000, some 1,500 hectares of fruit trees have been planted and more than 400,000 plants and seedlings have been delivered.

Waites also told Food that RADA has a resuscitation programme under which householders are encouraged to cut back and train their fruit trees to be no taller than 15 feet. "Trees should be trained to grow laterally. All householders have to do is call an extension officer who will make the necessary arrangements to come and trim trees at no cost to them.

Pond Apple

This fruit tree loves the sunshine and grows faster when circomposed, budded or grafted. It will produce fruit in two to five years after planting and the fruit can be used to make juices, jams and jellies. One large juice manufacturer was so impressed with the juice after blending a sample of the fruit, he said he wished there was a 10-acre plot waiting to be reaped immediately.

Miracle Fruit

You have to taste this little red berry, that looks like ripe coffee, to believe how well it works. It will miraculously leave a sweet taste in your mouth after you have eaten something sour/tart. International research is now being done on its ability to control diabetes. The tree can tolerate most Jamaican climatic conditions and it can grow successfully in pots, too; it will get to the size of an average garden cherry tree when mature.

Barbados Gooseberry

This is from the cactus family and does well in St Catherine. It thrives in dry conditions and is perfect as an ornamental crop for the garden or as a nice snack fruit for children. It is also good in pies, tarts and preserves.

Contact RADA at: Hope Gardens, Kingston 6, or telephone: 977-1158-62 or Lockley Waites at: 468-9066 or Dennis Brown at: 577-9575. Email: executive@abisjamaica.com.jm.

Next week, we will look at: calamondin, kumquat and longan.

barbara.ellington@gleanerjm.com

Barbados gooseberry

Pond apple