J$29 million earmarked to fight coffee borer

In an effort to rescue the Jamaican coffee industry, the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries is providing J$29 million in emergency aid to combat the infestation of farms affected by the coffee berry borer.



The funds will also go towards improving nutrition, the Ministry said in a statement.



Of the total, J$9 million is to be used to address the berry borer pest and the remaining J$20 million will be applied to purchasing inputs such as chemicals and fertilizer to boost production.



The coffee berry borer, the most harmful pest to coffee crops worldwide, is posing a serious challenge to Jamaica’s farms, the Ministry said.



If it is not contained, farmers could lose between a third and 50 per cent of their production, and the sector more than J$430 million if left unchecked.



The Ministry approved the funds in view of the challenges facing the coffee industry, according to portfolio Minister Roger Clarke.



He noted that while the J$20 million contribution was an important shot in the arm in terms of nutrition for the coffee crop, that would have to be supported by supplies from the licensed coffee dealers and farmers in order to have a meaningful effect on quality and quantity of the 2012/13 crop.



The Minister estimated that the grant would impact about 4,000 farmers and would contribute towards a 30 and 40 per cent improvement in the 2012/2013 crop year.



Fertilizer will only be distributed to farmers who have registered with the Coffee Industry Board and who have delivered coffee within the last 24 months.



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