Lead Stories

Rasbert Turner, Gleaner Writer

The Jamaica Cocoa Farmers Association (JCFA) has received training in how to dry cocoa beans using a solar-drying system. The association's farmers have also been given tips on growing good habits to help them maximise their yield.

According to JCFA treasurer Hugh Johnson, the United States Agency for International Develop-ment has injected well-needed funds to help with the installation of 50 solar-drying facilities islandwide as well as the implementation of the training programme.

The installation of the drying facilities is scheduled to be completed by next year.

"We in St Catherine have the first of this type of system," Johnson said. He also noted that the association received US$200,000 for the project.

The Kitson Town-based drying facility is constructed with local wood and has bamboo flooring.

It is used for drying the cocoa beans naturally.

In the drying process, the beans are plucked, then placed in a bio-fermentation box made of wood.

After being left in the box for 48 hours, the beans are moved to the drier, then bagged.

Johnson said there is a great market for Jamaican cocoa.

"It is one of the eight in the world to be sought as a 'fine flavoured' cocoa, " he noted.

Johnson said the project forms part of a Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries/USAID programme aimed at empowering farmers.

Some farmers who now supply the facility with cocoa say they are happy for the project.

"Yes, we can make some money from the cocoa now. For years, we just watch it (the cocoa) feed rats and birds," said George Brown, a farmer.

"Another farmer, Linval Goodhall, said: "From I was a child, cocoa has been a part of me, but mi did get fed up as we watched it go to waste."

COCOA FACTS

• The world market price for cocoa is about J$35,000 per tonne.
• St Catherine is home to approximately 15 per cent of the island's cocoa growers.
• There are about 600 cocoa farmers registered with the Jamaica Cocoa Farmers Association.