Coffee Farmers Upbeat about Future

Coffee farmers who attended a meeting of representatives of the co-operatives and personnel from the Coffee Industry Board (CIB), have expressed confidence in the industry’s viability.
“What we need to do is become more creative and more efficient in our production. Reducing the cost of production, will improve our bottom-line,” said General Manager of Baronhall Estate, Douet Reid, at the meeting at the Kendal Conference Centre, Manchester on Thursday (January 14).
Manager for Promotions Services at the National People’s Co-operative Bank, Donville Lawrence, said the sustainability of the sector was a major focus of the PC Bank.
“Over the last year, the National PC Bank has been lending to the sector, as we view the success of the coffee industry as our success. To our farmers, we remain committed to providing loans at the affordable rate of 10% for new or expanding businesses, and acquisition of farm vehicles,” he told the audience.

Secretary Manager of the Central St. Catherine Coffee Co-operative, Peachley Fisher (centre), accepting the CIB award for being the most outstanding coffee co-operative for 2008/09, from Research Officer at the CIB, Gail Nelson. Looking on is Chairman of the group, Gauntlet Reid.

The Central St. Catherine Coffee Co-operative walked away with the CIB’s trophy for the most outstanding co-operative for 2008/2009. Frankfield Growers Co-operative Society copped the prize for most improved.
The awards were instituted five years ago by the CIB to encourage development of sustainable business ventures. They were judged on the basis of quality of training offered to members, proper record keeping and increase in production.
Chairman of the Jamaica Agricultural Society’s (JAS) Cocoa and Coffee Federation, Rupert Scott, told JIS News that a number of issues raised at the meeting by the farmers will be followed up, to ensure that the co-operatives receive funding for development programmes.