Fermenting and Processing Fruit in Jamaica

Alligator Pond Processors, a new agro-processing company, was elated when Ralph Bucca agreed to train them in fruit processing in January and February 2020, right before the annual fruit ripening season in Jamaica. Ralph has spent the past 13 years conducting workshops and has completed several Farmer-to-Farmer volunteer assignments worldwide as an Agro-Processing Specialist. He plans, organizes, trains and directs local populations on appropriate, affordable technology and various aspects of food processing and preservation techniques, with an end goal of food security.

For this assignment, Ralph visited the touristic rural town of Alligator Pond in the southwest of Jamaica for two weeks, where he provided guidance on the fermentation of tropical fruits to five different groups in the area. Local fruit producers had attempted to conduct fermentation in the past, but they lacked the basic knowledge needed to create successful products. Ralph brought over 40 years of experience, equipment and recipes to conduct his workshops in fruit processing. 

The volunteer held several training sessions at three different locations over the assignment period, and apart from training members of Alligator Pond Processors at their facility, he also trained groups from the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) at their office in Mandeville. Ralph said that “by the end of the training sessions, the hosts had good basic knowledge, skills and abilities to start fermentation. They were interested in learning, and I feel that they benefited greatly from the training.”

In addition, at Alligator Pond Processor's request, a solar food dryer was also constructed according to a design Ralph developed. He also gave recommendations on the infrastructural improvements needed for their facility, how to acquire more equipment for processing operations and how to handle finished processed products in terms of packaging and labeling.

“My assignments are always in developing countries, often in remote villages without electricity, which is why I focus on affordable low-tech solutions such as low-cost solar food dryers using simple hand tools. I also teach all aspects of food processing which include sanitation, preparation, drying, packaging and marketing. I teach non-electric methods of preservation which result in food security, because in many places food is grown and spoils quickly.

I expect the participants of this assignment to use their knowledge, skills and abilities to finish and market their products. I expect the solar food dryer to be completed and used. This was my first time in Jamaica, and I found the people friendly and helpful. I needed to adapt my skills and recipes to what was available in regards to fruits and equipment, and I would be willing to return during a season of plentiful fruits to further their skills."