Against the background of several increases in the price of fertiliser since December 2006 - ranging from 57-75 per cent - the Ministry of Agriculture and Lands is currently holding a series of consultations in the hope of unearthing the cause of the rapid increases and to possibly locate a cheaper source.

Minister of agriculture, Dr. Christopher Tufton, has initiated consultations with various stakeholders in the agricultural sector, including the sole local fertiliser manufacturer, Newport Ferson (Jamaica) Ltd, which are expected to continue until early next week.

According to a release from the ministry, Dr. Tufton is concerned that the recent surge in fertilizer price will militate against the sector's competitiveness.

"The continued price escalation, coupled with the fact that there is only one local manufacturer is said to be causing a great deal of anxiety within the farming community," said the release.

"The ministry, therefore, feels committed to giving the public a clear understanding of the causes of these increases and we are looking at all the possible angles in an effort to arrive at a formula to make the price of fertiliser affordable to the farmers of this country," it added.

Consequently, the ministry said it has also sought to determine the extent to which the increase in raw material prices and the manufacturers' and distributors' markups have influenced the price increases.