JAMAICA – Coffee farmers confident of industry’s future

MILAN – During a meeting of representatives of the cooperatives and personnel from the Coffee Industry Board (Cib), Jamaican coffee farmers have expressed confidence in the industry s viability.

“What we need to do is become more creative and more efficient in our production. Reducing the cost of production, will improve our bottom-line,” said General Manager of Baronhall Estate, Douet Reid, at the meeting at the Kendal Conference Centre, Manchester recently. Manager for Promotions Services at the National People s Cooperative Bank, Donville Lawrence, said the sustainability of the sector was a major focus of the PC Bank. “Over the last year, the National PC Bank has been lending to the sector, as we view the success of the coffee industry as our success. To our farmers, we remain committed to providing loans at the affordable rate of 10% for new or expanding businesses, and acquisition of farm vehicles,”  he said.

The Central St. Catherine Coffee Cooperative walked away with the Cib’s trophy for the most outstanding cooperative for 2008/2009. Frankfield Growers Cooperative Society copped the prize for most improved. The awards were instituted five years ago by the Cib to encourage development of sustainable business ventures.