KINGSTON, Jamaica—Approximately 4,000 coffee farmers across the Blue Mountain will receive support through an investment of approximately $35 million by the Jamaica Agricultural Commodities Regulatory Authority (JACRA).

The investment comes in the form of clean planting material that will be distributed to farmers over the next few months – 8,000 bags of fertiliser, 15,000 coffee seedlings, 1,000 litres of herbicide, 500 kg of fungicide, and 500 litres of insecticide, plus plant stimulants.

According to Wayne Hunter, acting director-general for JACRA, the investment is well needed given the difficulties the coffee industry has faced in recent years.

“The coffee industry is one that has been plagued with issues of pests, harsh weather conditions, and praedial larceny over the years. Our coffee farmers need help to restore their farms to their peak conditions, and that is what we aim to do,” Hunter said.

“We want every farm operating at the recommended levels of production. That way, Jamaica is in a better position to supply an ever-growing demand. Coffee remains one of the most purchased commodities in the world, and we want our farmers and processors to benefit from the global trade,” he continued.

Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Mining, Floyd Green, echoed similar sentiments, adding that farmers should see the investment as a stepping stone to further their businesses.

“We know you have been through some challenging times; we know last year was one of the most challenging years in agriculture. But we also know that in order for you to rebound quickly and to bounce back even better than before, you need some support,” Green said.

“We want to help you set out on a new mission – and that mission is about increasing production and increasing productivity. And that is why we are here, not just to give you some inputs and say well done. But to ensure that when you get these inputs, you invest them in your agricultural enterprise and make it more productive so you can get more return on your investment,” Green added.

Hunter pledged that further support would be coming to not only coffee but also all the other commodities the authority regulates.

“JACRA has responsibilities for seven commodities, and for the rest of this year and into the next, we are ensuring that these industries are set on the right path for a better tomorrow,” he said.

“Today was coffee, but I can assure our pimento farmers, our ginger farmers, our nutmeg, turmeric, and cocoa farmers – help is on the way,” Hunter added.