Gov’t to assist farmers

The government said it would be allocating $25 million to assist 100 farmers who are involved in its fruit tree crop programme.



The money will go towards seedlings and preparation of about 220 hectares of land.



State Minister in the Ministry of Agriculture, J C Hutchinson, during his sectoral debate presentation yesterday, said the government plans to provide non traditional seedlings such as june plum, guava, naseberry, ackee, sweet sop, apple and cashew.



Mr. Hutchinson said the seedlings will be provided free of cost and that farmers will be given 25,000 per acre up to five acres to assist with imputs and preparation of the land.



He said there is a large market for these fruits both locally and internationally and that Jamaica should capitalise on these markets.



Mr. Hutchinson said the country imports approximately $20.5 million worth of juice concentrate annually.