Clive Bryan, Gleaner Writer

Hot pepper, scallion, sorrel and tomato farmers in the eastern hills of St. Andrew are now expanding their farms as they begin to reap the benefits from a new business deal with a major agro processor.

The farmers operating out of Constitution Hill, Mavis Bank, St. Peters and Hall's Delight have established a new cooperative that has forged a deal to supply the Walkerswood Caribbean Foods (WCF) factory.

Chairman of the cooperative, Titus Minott, explained that already, 15 farmers have established 2.4 hectares of hot pepper and 35 new members were working at planting another 3.5 hectares.

Denton Alvaranga, the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) parish manager for St. Andrew, estimated a minimum yield of 10,000 kilogram per hectare from the farms. RADA has committed to providing full technical support to the group.

Bevene Martin, RADA extension officer for the Mavis Bank, area said 15,40 kg of hot peppers was supplied to Walkerswood between September last year and the beginning of August this year.

Mr. Minott said this earned the farmers just over $827,000, in addition to $38,220 earned from the sale of 579 kg of scallion to the factory.

Sales

The farmers have been able to maintain this level of supply to WCF and at the same time sell in the regular market where prices are usually higher than that received from factories.

"The assured market, agreed price and the quality of RADA's extension support are among the main factors driving the interests of the farmers," Mr. Alvaranga said.

Howard O'Hara, RADA's marketing officer, said the aim is to establish more WCF-type arrangements with other agro-processors, the hotels, supermarkets, etc."

In the meantime, the farmers continue to receive training in cost production, post-harvest techniques, and price management.