Clarendon cocoa farmers disgruntled over outstanding payments
KINGTSON, Jamaica — Disgruntled cocoa farmers from Smithville in Clarendon today renewed their calls for what they say are long overdue outstanding payments for produce delivered to the Cocoa Industry Board (CIB).
The farmers, who claim that they have not been paid in excess of two months by the CIB, said they are tired of the excuses.
However, manager of the CIB Leroy Grey told OBSERVER ONLINE that everything was in place for the farmers to receive their payments tomorrow, Wednesday, July 30.
“The long wait has to do with the entire process, from collecting the cocoa from farmers, to processing them for export,” said Grey.
The farmers will however receive only a portion of the outstanding amount with the balance scheduled to be paid sometime next week.
“The limited amount and slow inflow of revenue from sales have also impacted the payment period,” Grey explained.
The ongoing problem started two years ago and was highlighted in the Jamaica Observer in March last year.
Nicholas Martin and Suzette Bonas