Cocoa Production In Jamaica On The Upswing

KINGSTON, Jamaica CMC – Jamaica produced more cocoa during the period 2011-12 as compared to the same period the previous year, according to figures released by the Cocoa Industry Board (CIB).

It said that an estimated 476.5 metric tons of cocoa, valued at J$150.6 million (One Jamaica dollar = US$0.01 cents) had been produced during that crop year, as against the 2010/2011 figure of 216.5 metric tons.

CIB co-ordinator for Extension Services, Dunstan Gaynor, said the Board is now developing new initiatives to increase production and that 7,000 farmers were now engaged in farming 8,800 acres of cocoa across the island.

Last year, the industry benefitted from an injection of Euro 375,000 (One Euro =US$1.29 cents) through the Rural Re-engineering Cocoa Rural Economy through Agro-processing, Eco-Tourism and Entrepreneurship (RECREATE) project.

Funding for the project was provided by the European Union (EU) early in the last decade when the World Trade Organization (WTO) removed the preferential treatment for African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) bananas.

Jamaica presently exports cocoa to Japan, Switzerland, Holland, France and the United States of America and Gaynor said the EIB was particularly grateful to a number of organizations such as the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) and the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS) for the present healthy state of the industry.

“The involvement of young people is also crucial to the sector. Each school with an on-going agricultural program and adequate land will be assisted to set up a one-half to one acre of cocoa demonstration plot. Special attention will also be given to 4-H Clubs,” Gaynor said.

He said the 4-H centres with existing cocoa plots would be assisted in rehabilitating their farms and those without would be assisted in establishing one-acre plot.

“We intend, in the short to medium term, to increase plant density from the present average of 250 to 400 plants per acre; improve cultural practices by providing training to farmers and other players, so as to improve productivity and to ensure that adequate and timely compensation is made to farmers and other players in the industry,” Gaynor said

The cocoa plant takes five to seven years to come into full bearing, but has a life span of 30 years. It is one of the easiest crops to grow, reap and market and is only second to the forest in protecting the soil from erosion.