Jamaica
The Land of Wood and Water
Why Jamaica?
Jamaica is derived from the original Taino word Xaymaca, meaning “land of wood and water”. The country’s river-formed alluvial plains, flat land and fertile soils allow for easy cultivation. Jamaica has a long tradition of farming and agricultural production is an important contributor to the country’s economy and employment. Consequently, the country has a strong infrastructure to support its production.
Bamboo bioproducts aim to transform approximately 7000 hectares of idle lands in western Jamaica into prosperous, sustainable bamboo farmland. Our farms will sustainably plant, farm, and harvest up to 1,000,000 tons of green bamboo per annum.
A strategically located logistical hub
Kingston Harbour in Jamaica is the seventh-largest natural harbour in the world. It is an almost landlocked area of water approximately 16 kilometres (9.9 mi) long by 3.2 kilometres (2.0 mi) wide.
Montego Bay, set on Jamaica’s north coast close to BBP’s mill site, is a major award-winning cruise ship port. It is now being strategically equipped as a feeder port to handle containers as well as cruisers.
Jamaica has bamboo
It is believed bamboo was introduced into Jamaica from “Hispaniola” in the 18th Century (Long 1972; Powell 1972), although opinions differ on whether it was the early (Storer 1958) or late 18th century (Anonymous 1910; Jamaica Agricultural Society 1954).
