2,000 COCOA FARMERS TO BENEFIT - Jamaica Observer - February 9, 2015

Michael Leckie (right), board member of the Jamaica Cocoa Farmers' Association greets Selena Kellier-Ledgister (left), manager for agriculture and fishing at Food For the Poor (FFP) after the organisation donated over US$4000 worth of farm tools to the association on Friday at FFP compound at Ellerslie Pen, Spanish Town, St Catherine. Sharing in the occasion (from left) are two St Catherine farmers, Cerrieca Williams and Leroy Campbell. (PHOTO: GARFIELD ROBINSON)

BY TANESHA MUNDLE Observer staff reporter mundlet@jamaicaobserver.com

TWO thousands cocoa farmers are set to benefit from the distribution of over US$4,000 worth of farm equipment, which was donated by Food For the Poor (FFP) last Friday.

The items which included, forks, tillers, rakes, machetes, and irrigation pumps were handed over to the Jamaica Cocoa Farmers Association (JCFA) during a ceremony at Food for the Poor compound, Ellerslie Pen, Spanish Town, St Catherine.

Selena Kellier-Ledgister, FFP manager for agriculture and fishing said that the donation represented and signified the organisation's continued support to help increase cocoa production in Jamaica.

She also noted that FFP was thinking of assisting the farmers in the future by investing in a nursery to bring more farmers into cocoa production.

"We are therefore interested in partnering with the Jamaica Cocoa Farmers' Association in areas such as the development of nurseries to resuscitate cocoa production and training in agro-business and best practices, especially in post- harvesting and processing," she said.

Board member of the JCFA, Michael Leckie, who accepted the gift on behalf of the association and the farmers, expressed gratitude to Food For the Poor for its kind gesture.

"This morning's handover of farm tools to the JCFA represents the second such gesture by this organisation that has distinguished itself as a friend for marginalised people in Jamaica, and small farmers in particular," he said.

"These tools will no doubt motivate them to continue to labour in the field, and to make their contribution to nation building and the achievement of Vision 2030, which is to make Jamaica the place of choice to live, work, raise families and do business," Leckie continued.

Meanwhile, Cerrieca Williams, St Catherine cocoa farmer, who was present at the handing-over expressed joy with the gift.

"I am elated with the gifts that we have got today, and I am sure that it will help us as farmers, not only me," she said.

According to Williams many cocoa farmers had given up on cocoa because of the price that they were being paid for the produce, but she said the association has helped to revitalise the industry and that the farmers were happier with the price that they now receive.

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