Coffee farmers say grant funding needed to revive industry

 

Hit with losses estimated at $1 billion from the devastating effects of Hurricane Melissa, President of the Jamaica Coffee Farmers Association, Donald Salmon, says nothing short of grant funding will revive the industry.

 

The Blue Mountain Coffee belt runs across St. Andrew, Portland and St. Thomas.

 

Mr. Salmon says, in some areas, farmers are still unable to reach their farms since the passage of the hurricane.

 

He adds that many coffee farmers are either squatters, have no titles, or are very small and capital-starved.

 

The local coffee industry last week received 5,000 bags of fertiliser and other key agricultural inputs valued at $35 million from the Jamaica Agricultural Commodities Regulatory Authority (JACRA).

 

The handover on December 17 to farmers at JACRA's headquarters in Kingston formed part of a $120-million contribution by the government and the regulatory body for targeted intervention to address one of the most immediate needs in the recovery process, including nutrient restoration and productivity support at the farm level.

 

But, while expressing appreciation for the donation, Mr. Salmon says farmers need cash in their hands.

 

"We are seeking grant funding for farmers. And the government has given us assistance with fertiliser and such. While it is a very good gesture... it is not enough. We need more assistance," he insisted.

 

Asked how the farmers have been getting by without the necessary support, Mr. Salmon admitted that many have had to "do a lot of different things and farmers have to move out to get work in other areas". 

 

Mr. Salmon, who was speaking on TVJ's Smile Jamaica on Tuesday, said coffee, like other agricultural commodities, is in a bad state, and requires serious government intervention to remain viable.

 

"Agriculture is in trouble. We need to find a way to resuscitate that, to get the industry back on track. Sugar is in problem; banana; all the various products. It's difficult. It's not a quick fix. [We need] government intervention and training, research, cutting edge technology, and all hands on deck," he stressed.