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Government to scour the world for cheap fertiliser
The Government is contemplating drastic measures to mitigate the effects of the sharp increase in the price of fertiliser on the local agriculture sector.
Faced with a growing number of complaints from farmers that the price increase is having a devastating effect on the sector, the Ministry of Agriculture says it is seriously looking at several proposals.
Among the proposals is for the Ministry to begin importing fertilisers in direct competition with local importers.
Agriculture Minister, Roger Clarke, says this should help push down prices.
“The Government cannot just sit by and watch that free fall as it were. So what I am looking at whatever possibility anywhere in the world to look at the prices to look if there is any availability of fertilizers at an inexpensive rate and that is what we are looking at now,” said Mr. Clarke.
“We’re looking at places like Venezuela and where ever else. We are told that it is a world wide shortage but we want to look at all angles. It is a very serious problem. The agriculture sector is threatened at this time,” he said.
The price of fertiliser has increased by nearly 100 per cent in the past twelve months due to a shortage on the world market.
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Printed from http://www.radiojamaica.com copyright 2007
The Government is contemplating drastic measures to mitigate the effects of the sharp increase in the price of fertiliser on the local agriculture sector.
Faced with a growing number of complaints from farmers that the price increase is having a devastating effect on the sector, the Ministry of Agriculture says it is seriously looking at several proposals.
Among the proposals is for the Ministry to begin importing fertilisers in direct competition with local importers.
Agriculture Minister, Roger Clarke, says this should help push down prices.
“The Government cannot just sit by and watch that free fall as it were. So what I am looking at whatever possibility anywhere in the world to look at the prices to look if there is any availability of fertilizers at an inexpensive rate and that is what we are looking at now,” said Mr. Clarke.
“We’re looking at places like Venezuela and where ever else. We are told that it is a world wide shortage but we want to look at all angles. It is a very serious problem. The agriculture sector is threatened at this time,” he said.
The price of fertiliser has increased by nearly 100 per cent in the past twelve months due to a shortage on the world market.
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Printed from http://www.radiojamaica.com copyright 2007
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