Uses of the Product
Genuine St. Vincent Arrowroot is without smell, taste or allergenic properties. It is manufactured under natural conditions without any chemical additives. In its natural form it is in high demand as a cooking thickener of gravies, and sauces. The product is used for inclusion in spice packs sold at supermarkets and groceries and finds a place in drug stores as cure for stomach ailments.

By products of the arrowroot-starch manufacturing process such as madungo is a highly priced local product with tremendous market/sale possibilities, yet to be fully exploited. Waste products such as the 'coarse bittee', 'fine bittee' and fruit water can be processed and promoted as potential outputs of the manufacturing process.

History
St. Vincent and the Grenadines has a long history of arrowroot production. The industry arose from humble beginnings as the food and medicine of the Carib and Garifuna peoples to the status of a major export of St. Vincent during the period 1900 to 1965. It became an important commodity in colonial trade in the 1930's. As the sugar industry declined in the nineteenth century, cultivation of arrowroot was developed to fill the void. Since then, the acrerage declined steadily and the crop was eclipsed by competition from other crops, particularly banana. Evidence of its former glory is indicated by the ruins of the various magnificent 19th century factories located in every valley on St. Vincent's mainland.

In the past, the St. Vincent Arrowroot Industry played an important role in the economy of SVG, contributing close to 50% of the country's foreign export earnings and was the principal source of employment and income of the rural people from the 1930s to the 1960s. During the War Years, the Industry donated a spitfire fighter plane to the Colonial War efforts. By the end of the War, the industry contributed to the construction of the Peace Memorial Hall in recognition of local effort to the War.

Cultivation
The arrowroot plant Is very hardy and not very demanding in its requirements. St. Vincent, particularly the north-east coast, provides the ideal growing conditions for optimal yields; deep, well drained, slightly acidic so its and a hot humid climate. The main pest is the arrowroot leaf roller (Calpodes ethelius) which is kept under control by natural agents through an Integrated Pest Management Program of the Crop Protection Unit of the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries.

Stakeholders
Small farmers form the backbone of the industry are the major contributors to the cultivation. The number of farmers cultivating the crop in 1998 was estimated at 172 on approximately 200 acres of land in 26 farming communities.
In recent times, six major studies were commissioned to examine the causes of the industry decline and to provide recommendations for its improvement. Kairi Consultants Limited was contracted by the Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines (GoSVG) to undertake a feasibility study for the Expansion of the Arrowroot Industry in St. Vincent. The findings of the study provide strategic actions to be taken to improve the status of the Industry.
The Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines recognises the value of the agricultural food industrial sector for employment, income and poverty reduction.
New opportunities for free trade and access to world markets through the New World Order, provides traditional industries such as the Arrowroot starch industry with greatly enhanced opportunities to earn foreign exchange.

This article first appeared in The Ins & Outs of St. Vincent & the Grenadines. It is published courtesy of Miller Publishing Co. Ltd. Visit their website Ins & Outs of Barbados.