More fertiliser to be imported
Published:Tuesday | December 30, 2008 | 8:33 AM
The government is planning to import more fertiliser to meet the demand for the commodity at cheaper prices.
About 25,000 tonnes of fertiliser have been imported since October.
Minister of Agriculture, Dr Christopher Tufton, says based on the response from farmers, the ministry is making arrangements for another shipment of the commodity to arrive in the island early next year.
He says discussions are being conducted among relevant stakeholders, such as the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce, to source another batch of the farming input.
The Jamaica Sugar Cane Grower’s Association said in a statement yesterday that, cane farmers have benefited greatly as a result of the Government’s intervention against increasing fertiliser prices.
The association also says cane farmers are very pleased with the quality of the imported blend.
Newport-Fersan Jamaica Limited, the sole local manufacturer of inorganic fertiliser, has been criticised by the Government for its skyrocketing prices.
Dr Tufton says the manufacturer has within weeks dropped its prices.