EU to the rescue again - More grant funds for the banana sector while cocoa industry gets big boost

Christopher Serju,Gleaner Writer

The banana sector is set to receive another major financial injection from the European Union (EU), but the amount of money has not yet been decided on.

The announcement was made last week by Helen Jenkinson, chargé d'affaires of the EU.

"Be assured, it will be a decent amount," Jenkinson said at the official launch of the EU-funded Project Care and the Cocoa Sector Revitalisation Project at Jamaica Producers' St Mary banana estates in Annotto Bay.

Jenkinson later told The Sunday Gleaner that Jamaica was among 15 countries set to benefit from the new programme, whose details were still being worked out.

Pressed as to the amount of money to be made available, Jenkinson said it would be significant, but she declined to name a figure, or the time of disbursement.

Jenkinson urged the St Mary farmers to organise themselves to benefit.

"These are grants, not loans," the EU representative emphasised. "The money is there, so give us a call. We are more than willing to help," she indicated, adding that the EU was also willing to provide assistance with the requisite proposal writing.

She said the EU's assistance was directed mainly towards supporting the Government's poverty-reduction strategy and development polices.

Overhaul needed

The chargé d'affaires of the EU used the opportunity to urge the administration to overhaul the regulatory framework of the cocoa industry to make it more globally competitive.

She also challenged the Cocoa Industry Board to become more market-driven instead of remaining centralised.

Commending the board for maintaining high standards, Jenkinson urged it to take on the challenge of catering to the lucrative niche markets, such as organic cocoa, which is heavily sought after in the United States and Europe.

"The Government also has a major role to play to ensure that the regulatory framework will attract investors; de facto monopolies on the buyer's side should be avoided; public research/extension services must meet the needs of the beneficiaries, and farmers should be able to earn a fair price for their cocoa beans.

"Above all, the Government should ensure that the reputation of Jamaican cocoa for its fine flavour is maintained. On that note, I would like to congratulate Jamaica on being amongst the top eight fine-flavoured cocoas internationally," Jenkinson declared.

Towards a better future

According to Jenkinson: "It is imperative that the Jamaica Government take action to revitalise the industry now if is to keep abreast of the global developments, and ensure a continued share of the market for fine-flavoured cocoa. We really hope that the EU contribution will help the sector as a whole to move towards a better future."

Approximately J$125 million, or just over €1million, has been allocated for two projects, with $54 million going to Project CARE (Catapulting Agriculture into Rural Enterprises), a joint venture with the Jamaica Producers Group and the Forest Conservancy.

At least 400 acres of agricultural land in St Mary will be utilised to support the establishment of new entrepreneurial, growth-oriented agro-enterprises, in an effort to provide sustainable development, employment and land use in the traditional export banana-pro-ducing communities of the parish. Started in January, the project is slated to end in December 2011.

The second project, Sustainable Entrepreneurial Farming through Revitalisation of the Cocoa Sector will target 650 small farmers in the parishes of St Mary, Portland and St Thomas over two years.

The $71 million initiative - a joint venture involving the Cocoa Industry Board, HEART Trust/NTA and the University of Trinidad and Tobago - will seek to improve cocoa production by at least 50 per cent in the first instance through the rehabilitation of 1,250 acres of abandoned cocoa and banana fields.

This will be accomplished by the replanting of cocoa and the use of new technologies.

"The money will go a far way in putting farmers back to work and creating employment opportunities in rural parishes," Agriculture Minister Christopher Tufton said at the launch.

Helen Jenkinson, chargé d'affaires of the European Union, yesterday announced that her organisation would be providing more financial support for the local agricultural industry.