The ‘Pakaraima Flavours’ tomato ketchup and salad dressing are now available at all Bounty Supermarket outlets.

‘Pakaraima Flavours’ is a product produced by Pakaraima Flavours Incorporated (PFI) at the Paramakatoi Food Processing, Training and Research Facility in Region Eight (Potaro/Siparuni). The facility produces sun-dried tomatoes that are further processed into tomato salad dressing and ketchup.

Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous People’s Affairs, Valerie Garrido-Lowe told the Department of Public Information (DPI)  that the factory has thus far produced some 3,000 bottles of tomato ketchup and salad dressing respectively.

She explained that the total amount was produced from a crop of 7,000

pounds of tomatoes which was reaped by the local farmers in Paramakatoi.

The project was designed by Minister Garrido-Lowe, along with support from Professor Suresh Narine, Director of the Institute of Applied Science and Technology (IAST). Consultations were also held with the residents of Paramakatoi, Bamboo Creek, and Mountain Foot.

Initially, the IAST recommended solar drying for the preservation of crops right within the region, in order to avoid spoilage when being transported for long periods. The next step was to identify a crop that did not require significant capital expenditure to cultivate and would be amenable to drying.

Tomatoes were then selected because of the high popularity of sundried tomatoes and condiments made from them in Caribbean, North American and European markets. The National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) then prepared 5,000 seedlings for the first trial.

It was found that the varieties thrive well in the region, but there exists a need to further educate farmers on the proper timing for the transplanting of the seedlings. A series of workshops were held to educate farmers so that the efficiencies of production can be further improved.

Subsequently, the Paramakatoi Food Processing, Training and Research Facility was established. The facility includes a solar drying department and a dormitory. PFI processes and packages the sun-dried tomatoes for sale, whilst a portion is used to produce tomato ketchup and salad dressings at the IAST.

Today, the project is deemed one of the most thriving economic community ventures by the Indigenous peoples of the North Pakaraima.

(DPI)