KINGSTON, Jamaica — Coffee farmers are to benefit from the distribution of an additional 8,000 seedlings this January, says Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining Minister Floyd Green.

The move, he said, is part of a broader coffee restoration and expansion programme, which includes support for short-term cash crops to provide farmers with immediate income while waiting for their coffee plants to mature.

The objective is to not only boost coffee production but to ensure that farmers can sustain their livelihood during challenging periods.

Green was speaking at the recent launch of the Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee Festival 2025 at Devon House in Kingston.

He hailed the coffee farmers for their resilience and tenacity in navigating the challenges of drought, hurricane and heavy rains last year.

He highlighted the ministry’s ongoing support to the industry, including the allocation of $100 million to improve access to coffee farms by repairing eight key farm roads.

“We have already started four of those roads,” he said, citing expenditure of $46 million, so far, on road works in Hall’s Delight in rural St Andrew, among other areas.

In addition to infrastructure improvements, the Government has spearheaded recovery efforts through partnerships with the Jamaica Agricultural Commodities Regulatory Authority (JACRA).

“We have distributed 12,000 seedlings, over 300 bags of fertiliser and provided essential tools to help our farmers rebuild,” said Green.

He noted that the Government’s commitment to supporting the coffee industry remains steadfast, with proactive measures paving the way for sustainable growth and resilience in one of Jamaica’s most iconic agricultural sectors.

“One of the things that people associate with Jamaica and with our greatness is our coffee,” said Green.

“Jamaica’s Blue Mountain coffee is among the highest-priced coffee in the world, which is a testament to the 5,000 registered coffee farmers who work under very difficult conditions,” he pointed out.

To further enhance quality assurance, upgrades to coffee warehouses have been implemented, including new metal shelving and numerical cupping assessments.

This ensures that the premium quality of Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee is maintained for export markets.

The Minister reported an increase in production from 240,000 boxes in 2021 to 285,000 boxes in 2023, despite setbacks due to weather, and pests, among other things.

He stressed the importance of fair pricing for coffee farmers.

“Agriculture is a business… [and] we will be recommending to the market what we see as a fair price for the coffee,” he said, urging stakeholders involved in purchasing and exporting Jamaican coffee to recognise and support the hard work of local farmers.

-JIS