The grass, known by many as a key ingredient in "bush" tea, can be used in personal care products, household products, pet care and animal feed as well as in food and beverages, according to the Scientific Research Council (SRC).
Many of these products use the essential oil found in the grass.
"The demand for essential oils has grown significantly to correspond with the growth in the health and wellness industry," says the SRC. "An entrepreneur can gross $4.8 million from a one acre farm annually".
But despite the global demand for lemon grass essential oil and the relative ease with which the plant grows in Jamaica, it is not produced commercially.
Banyan Creations, makers of personal care products and candles, imports about 65 per cent of the lemon grass oil used annually, said production supervisor, Latoya Lawrence.
"But this happens because the local supply is inadequate," she said."
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