St James farmers eye banana boom

Mark Titus, Gleaner Writer

WESTERN BUREAU:Despite the impact of declining production levels and adverse weather patterns, chairman of the All-Island Banana Farmers' Association (AIBFA), Grethel Sessing, is convinced that production of the fruit can return to viability in the parish of St James.

St James is one of six traditional banana-growing parishes. The others are St Catherine, St Thomas, St Mary, Portland, and Clarendon.

"There is a very lucrative local market beckoning, and our job is to provide the support that our farmers need to increase productivity and, at the same time, improve the quality," Sessing told Western Focus.

"St James council has been affected by some disorganisation, but that is now behind us, and we are trying to ensure that adequate supplies of material - such as fertilisers and spray for disease control - are obtained by the farmers in that area."

400 FARMERS ACROSS PARISH

The parish of St James has more than 400 banana farmers, mainly located in the southern belt in communities such as Kensington, Maroon Town, Flagstaff, Garlands, Horse Guards, Amity Hall, and Catadupa.

But the farmers failure to stay on top of trends and new techniques in farming has resulted in them playing catch up to their colleagues from St Mary and Portland.

According to the Rural Agricultural Development Authority, more than 1,000 acres of fully grown bananas in St James were severely affected by Tropical Storm Gustav in 2008. Preliminary losses had been estimated at $64 million, with Kensington, Maroon Town, Flagstaff, Garlands, Horse Guards, Amity Hall, and Catadupa being the hardest hit.

The AIBGA has reportedly signed a memorandum of understanding/partnership with local banana chips processors, who have agreed to take the fruit at an agreed economically viable price, while the Banana Board will provide administrative support for the project. The People's Co-operative banks will make loans available.

Another priority for the association is to establish a structured marketing programme for small farmers. The European Union is willing to provide funding to kick-start the much-needed marketing project.