CONTRIBUTING MORE than $100 million last year to the country's economy, the Cocoa Industry Board (CIB) says there is potential for additional earnings on the world market and, as such, has implored more farmers to grow the bean.

Naburn Nelson, manager of the CIB, said the crop is a viable product on the world market, due to its many derivatives.

"What we really need is massive rehabilitation with proper agricultural practices," he stressed.

Some 1,400 tonnes of cocoa are needed by the country to meet world demands, but less than half of that amount is being fulfilled.

Lance Jones, manager of Richmond Cocoa Fermentary in St Mary, said more than 95 per cent of locally produced cocoa is exported.

Nelson was vocal about the potential of the industry when Agriculture Minister Dr Christopher Tufton, toured farm com-munities in the parish last Wednesday.

Push production increase

In 2007, cocoa production raked in roughly $130 million, although there was a decline of 33.2 per cent in production, according to the Statistical Institute of Jamaica.

The most cocoa ever produced was 2,700 tonnes in the 1980s.

"To meet the demand, we must increase production," said Nelson.

Jones added: "Jamaica cocoa powder is mixed with other cocoa powder, from other places, to increase the spice of the cocoa."

The Government's intervention is being sought to rehabilitate Mount Rose farm inSt Mary. The more than 400-acre farm is underutilised, said Nelson.

"We need to get it under production," said Nelson.

To encourage more farmers into the industry, the CIB last October increased the price paid per box (56 pounds) for the bean. A box of cocoa was increased to $1,340 from $650.

Another increase looms, as board members are scheduled to meet in a few weeks to discuss the issue.