Videos

"AGRI-LIFE IS THE NEW MCTV series people debuting nowon FACEBOOKJAMAICAN SORREL PICKING MACHINE NEW!After the visit of a Mexican team of engineers to Jamaica to demonstrate the operation of a Sorrel Harvesting Machine, the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) received contact information for a local innovator, who had designed his own version of a sorrel picking machine.Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries (MOAF) Roger Clarke visited Oral Turner the local inventor on December 22 - 2012 - to assess the credibility of the machine that has been local built.The local version of the Sorrel Harvesting Machine is a uniquely simple and efficient piece of equipment, which operates differently from it's Mexican counterpart.Harvested sorrel (not twigs) go into machine, which separate the seed chamber from the flower.Sorrel plants can be harvested over a period of time (the Mexican machine requires the harvesting of twigs, which is usually a one time harvesting and not suitable for the ‘Bashment’ varietyThe drum position of the machine, can be adjusted to accommodate the size of the sorrel plant while the Mexican machine could not separate flowers and seed consistentlyThe RADA team visited the innovator in Comma Pen, St. Elizabeth, last Tuesday, February 5 -2013.RADA found that the innovators are well ahead with the registration of intellectual property rights locally as well as are working along with the Jamaica Bureau of Standards for the design to be accepted.The University of Technology has been approached and is working with the local innovator on the concept of the final version for the drum design.Although, Mr. Turner has developed a marketing plan, right now he is seeking assistance in acquiring funds for completion of a major part of the machine; which is the rotating drum with blades.The objective is; to make machines available locally for sale... to processors and farmers.One of the options, is to make picking points, where farmers can deliver sorrel for picking at a cost.Right now one pick can pick two bags of sorrel for entire day ($1,500.00/day).This machine pictured here can do it probably in a hour."