Rebecca had a great idea for creating a fish farms. She says fishing is a growing industry why not start farming fish with all the ponds in the area.

St.Bess has the potential for new idustries and fishing could be of economic potential in that area.Some years ago I visited the the fishfarm in the Elem area and I was pleasantly surprise to see that it was doing extremely well. It was the largest freshwater fishfarm in the Caribbean at that time. I was impressed with the high technology that is used in growing and processing the fish for export. I would strongly suggest that anyone with interset in this area vist the fishfarm at Elem.

I have seen where the Mexicans put pieces of pumpkin, cassava (Yuca) cocoa,plantain in a package and export to the U.S where there is a lucrative market among Hispanics and other people from the Caribbean. Besides, fruits such as guinep,tamarind and our local plums are always in demand abroad. I think there are many areas that could be developed into industries to create economic growth for the area.

There's a community of potters who do both handbuilt and wheelthrown work like large Spanish style 16th cen. urns in Bromfield, just outside of Black River. They use Southwest US/primitive style wood-fired oxidation kilns and do both glazed and unglazed work. Ironically, they work
in terracotta imported from Canada/US since it
easier than processing local clays which aren't suited for firing/consistency.

Since the pottery's already set up, an enterprising individual or group of individuals
might do well working as the distribution arm of the existing pottery -- working to transport/sell goods to hotel shops in Negril and the North Coast
where only the high-priced WASSI pottery just
outside Ochie exists (most other potters are solo workers who show in Kingston).

This would take reliable transport and working capital, rather than trying to build from the
ground up, a far more difficult task.

I just read a decorating article that features welcome mats(doormats). Some mats often found in large stores(e.g. Target in USA)are made of sisal from the cacti plant. The other is coir that's made from the coconut tree. TB has the climate and topography to support the growth of both and therefore could develop the manufacturing of these mats which are often used in North America.

Just to amplify on what Native has said in their second paragraph.

I have been thinking that the farmers of the Pedro Plains and the South Coast should form a co-operative to brand, package and distribute their products. This strategy has been used many times. Both Land-o-Lakes dairy products and Ocean Spray cranberry operate as co-ops in the States. These are both well known brands and almost household names. A brand name like "Paradise Produce" could be associated with the agriculture of the South Coast. In addition, the sorting, packaging and distribution center could provide several dozen other people with good, steady employment. Maybe more if the concept were able to really grow.

I believe the two greatest challenges would be to get the farmers to agree in the first place and to maintain the consistent quality necessary to support the premium pricing of the "brand".

Just a thought.

Peyton, excellent thought! Ocean spray is more than a household brand name evidenced by the fact that we can purchase their goods in JA. Now, I wonder how do we(collectively) get some of these ideas to materialize. There have been several excellent industrial ideas put forth on this thread. I think it would be interesting if we could poll the people of the south coast or TB area, choose one idea, create a business plan, raise funds(if necessary) and try.To quote a JA proverb "nutin beat a faila but a trya".

GREAT MINES.i love you guys Theone,Native,Tivertonhouse,Hooked on TB ,Peyton & Alice great thinking.God say knock & it shall be open.you guys have done it.lots people have the money, but not the thinking .at this point i will put my penny worth in the bucket.ORGANIC PRODUCE .i live on a island ,that dont produce anything ,everything has to be imported.organic produce cast arm & leg ,eg three lemon $1.99 which equal US $2.50 .our water source ,desalt(sea).jamaicans have alot to give thanks for ,most of the fruits & vegetables are chemial free . i also recive a bit of information the water supply .we no longer get water from Ponside ,i were told that they have a well in the newell area that supply TB .