With many farmers expressing an unwavering support for the Govern-ment's imported fertiliser, arrange-ments are being made for another shipment of the commodity to arrive in the island early next year.

Minister of Agriculture Dr Christopher Tufton told The Gleaner that discussions were being conducted among relevant stakeholders, such as the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce, to source another batch of the farming input.

"The current stock of fertiliser runs out about January," Tufton said.

About 25,000 tonnes of the commodity was previously imported, with the first batch of 500 tonnes docking at the wharves in late October.

Farmers' response

"Based on responses from farmers, we are definitely considering importing more fertiliser," he said.

The Jamaica Sugar Cane Growers' Association said in a statement issued yesterday that as a result of the Government's intervention against increasing fertiliser prices, cane planters can look forward to the upcoming crop season with one less problem.

"What is more, the quality of the imported fertiliser blends has not only been attested to by the local certifying agency, but has received the overwhelming approval of farmers who have utilised the input," the statement read.

The sugar workers' group, chaired by Allan Rickards, commended the Government and said the decision taken was timely as, over the year, fertiliser prices jumped by more than 200 per cent.

Newport-Fersan Jamaica Limited, the sole local manufacturer of inorganic fertiliser, has been criticised by the Government for its skyrocketing prices.

Tufton said, however, that the manufacturer has within weeks dropped its prices.

He also said that dialogue is ongoing with Newport-Fersan on pricing and acquisition of the input.