John Myers Jr., Agriculture Coordinator

Lloyd Bernard from Georges Valley, St. Elizabeth is an avid dairy farmer. Despite his many challenges, he still makes daily treks to the field to feed his cattle, because he knows that he will be rewarded with plenty of milk to drink and to sell. - Photos by Ian Allen/Staff Photographer

West Indian Sea Island Cotton is the most expensive cotton in the world. But not enough of the cotton, which is grown only in the Caribbean, is available to satisfy demand.

However, there is now a coordinated effort underway to expand production of the premium-branded cotton in an attempt to gain a greater share of the burgeoning market internationally.

The Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS) and the Jamaica Agricultural Development Foundation (JADF) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which would allow for the provision of financial and technical support to farmers interested in producing West Indian Sea Island Cotton, which fetches US$10 per pound. The document was signed last Thursday at the JAS headquarters, downtown Kingston.

"Sea Island Cotton has a strong, yet delicate blended fibre and unique quality which far outweighs that of other competitors in Egypt, China and the United States," Senator Grant stressed as he explained the significant value of the cotton that is grown only in Jamaica and a few other countries in the Caribbean.

Countless benefits

"Both the Jamaica Agricultural Society and the Jamaica Agricultural Development Foundation are cognisant that countless benefits are to be gained from Sea Island Cotton and are willing to partner in ensuring the protection and sustenance of this industry," he added.

Jamaica is the largest cultivator of West Indian Sea Island Cotton with over 600 acres presently, followed by Barbados with 214 acres. But this is far less than what the market demands. West Indian Sea Island Cotton represents about one per cent of world demand with the chief export markets being Japan, the United States and Switzerland. The current demand for cotton is estimated at three million tonnes per year, with Japan alone demanding over two million tonnes.

As a result the JAS, in partnership with the JADF, is moving to boost production to at least 1,000 acres. There are about 17 farmers growing West Indian Sea Island Cotton, mainly in the parishes of Clarendon, St. Catherine, Portland and St. Mary. West Indian Sea Island Cotton exports in 2002 were valued at $27 million, but that is expected to jump to $100 million this year.

Senator Grant explained that the aim is to find additional farmers to grow cotton, with each new farmer growing at least five acres.

Necessary financing

He said the JADF would provide the necessary financing at single digit interest rate to farmers who would also require no collateral. The loan would be given under a crop-lean agreement - an arrangement where the farmer would commit to paying a set amount upon the sale of the crop over several years. It costs an average $86,000 to produce an acre of West Indian Sea Island Cotton, with an estimated return of between 12 and 35 per cent, the JAS president said. Farmers would also receive assistance from the JADF in preparing a budget and would be given the necessary inputs required to grow the crop.

Edgar Watson, general manager for finance and investment at the JADF, noted that growing West Indian Sea Island Cotton would provide farmers with the opportunity of diversifying their crop production and earnings, especially sugar cane farmers who have large acreages of land. He, however, stressed that it was not an alternative to growing sugar cane.

Growing West Indian Sea Island Cotton is a very labour-intensive venture, as cotton has to be reaped manually. Many feel that this might be a deterrent to prospective farmers. It takes up to three persons per acre to harvest the crop and weed the fields during peak period. It would require as many as 130 persons for a 50-acre field.

Allan Rickards, a board member of the JAS who was also present at the signing of the document, pointed out that the intensive labour needs might be a hindrance to the success of the crop, citing the case in Barbados where he said many cotton fields are left unreaped because of problems with finding adequate labour.

Notwithstanding, Senator Grant pointed out that "the Jamaica Agricultural Development Fund has worked assiduously to ensure the sustainability and productivity of this crop and has assisted many growers in gaining stable employment and increased revenue."

Feedback: john.myers@gleanerjm.com