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Corey Robinson
Thursday, April 07, 2011
JAMAICA Agricultural Society (JAS) President Glendon Harris has expressed concerns about the large-scale importation of banana chips into the island, and the challenges the practice is creating for local farmers.
Harris, speaking at the launch of Farmers' Month at the JAS's office in downtown Kingston, said local banana farmers were struggling to find market for their fruits.
Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS) President Glendon Harris (right) addressing journalists at yesterday’s launch of Farmers’ Month at the JAS’s headquarters in downtown Kingston. Also pictured is the society’s vice-president, Senator Norman Grant. (Photo: Karl McLarty)
Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS) President Glendon Harris (right) addressing journalists at yesterday’s launch of Farmers’ Month at the JAS’s headquarters in downtown Kingston. Also pictured is the society’s vice-president, Senator Norman Grant. (Photo: Karl McLarty)
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"Currently, banana chips imported into the island are flooding the market, while 35,000 farmers who normally cultivate bananas are struggling to find the market for their produce," said Harris.
"We want to make it abundantly clear that in enhancing the farmers of Jamaica, the rural communities, this practice of importing banana chips that can be produced successfully here should be looked into and ensure that we consider the social and economic values of having those produce not coming in, especially in the quantity that they are coming in," he said.
According to Harris, one banana chips producer closed its doors this week after being unable to find a market for the snacks.
But while declining to give names, he said that at least one company imports on average one container load of the snacks each week. This, he said, was slowly stifling the livelihood of Jamaica's farmers.
"Support for the farmers of Jamaica is therefore critical," said Harris, noting that the JAS will continue embarking on training, group dynamics endeavours and agricultural shows to improve the prosperity of local farmers.
First celebrated in 1983, the aim of Farmers' Month is to highlight the farmers' contribution to the country's economic development.
This year's activities will include a farmers' fun day and church service in Hanover on April 25 and 17 respectively, as well as a church service and awards banquet in Kingston on April 24.
The activities will culminate with a farmers' health and wellness fair at the Denbigh showground in May Pen, Clarendon, on April 30. This activity will commence at 11:00 am.
Thursday, April 07, 2011
JAMAICA Agricultural Society (JAS) President Glendon Harris has expressed concerns about the large-scale importation of banana chips into the island, and the challenges the practice is creating for local farmers.
Harris, speaking at the launch of Farmers' Month at the JAS's office in downtown Kingston, said local banana farmers were struggling to find market for their fruits.
Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS) President Glendon Harris (right) addressing journalists at yesterday’s launch of Farmers’ Month at the JAS’s headquarters in downtown Kingston. Also pictured is the society’s vice-president, Senator Norman Grant. (Photo: Karl McLarty)
Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS) President Glendon Harris (right) addressing journalists at yesterday’s launch of Farmers’ Month at the JAS’s headquarters in downtown Kingston. Also pictured is the society’s vice-president, Senator Norman Grant. (Photo: Karl McLarty)#slideshowtoggler, #slideshowtoggler a, #slideshowtoggler img { filter: none ! important; }
1/1 "Currently, banana chips imported into the island are flooding the market, while 35,000 farmers who normally cultivate bananas are struggling to find the market for their produce," said Harris.
"We want to make it abundantly clear that in enhancing the farmers of Jamaica, the rural communities, this practice of importing banana chips that can be produced successfully here should be looked into and ensure that we consider the social and economic values of having those produce not coming in, especially in the quantity that they are coming in," he said.
According to Harris, one banana chips producer closed its doors this week after being unable to find a market for the snacks.
But while declining to give names, he said that at least one company imports on average one container load of the snacks each week. This, he said, was slowly stifling the livelihood of Jamaica's farmers.
"Support for the farmers of Jamaica is therefore critical," said Harris, noting that the JAS will continue embarking on training, group dynamics endeavours and agricultural shows to improve the prosperity of local farmers.
First celebrated in 1983, the aim of Farmers' Month is to highlight the farmers' contribution to the country's economic development.
This year's activities will include a farmers' fun day and church service in Hanover on April 25 and 17 respectively, as well as a church service and awards banquet in Kingston on April 24.
The activities will culminate with a farmers' health and wellness fair at the Denbigh showground in May Pen, Clarendon, on April 30. This activity will commence at 11:00 am.
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