Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Christopher Tufton, is expected to meet today with local distributors of fertilisers to work out an amicable agreement for the sourcing of the product.

Donovan Stanberry, Permanent Secretary at the ministry, told The Gleaner yesterday that there have been unconfirmed reports of another increase in the cost of fertilisers.

Last July, the cost of fertilisers increased for the third time in 12 months.

Subsequent to that increase, the ministry announced that a cheaper source of fertiliser out of Venezuela was being explored.

Currently, farmers are paying an estimated $2,000 per bag (112 pounds) for fertiliser.

Mr. Stanberry said that hopefully, coming out of today's meeting with fertiliser distributor Newport-Fersan, a satisfactory agreement will be reached.

Reasonable price

"The meeting is to see how we can come up with a reasonable price for fertiliser to farmers as thus far the increases have been alarming," he said.

Meanwhile, the Permanent Secretary said fertilisers are still being distributed to farmers who were affected by the passage of Hurricane Dean that lashed the country on August 19.

Approximately 2,500 tonnes of fertiliser are being distributed, separate and apart from the initiative to seek cheaper prices for fertiliser.