THE JAMAICA Broilers Group has increased by 10 per cent, the rate at which it will be paying its contract chicken farmers, in addition to introducing a plan to pay them a week earlier that has been the norm.
According to a release issued on the company's behalf, the increase, as well as the modified payment plan, was expected to assist poultry farmers who have been experiencing cash flow problems.
Details of the revised plans were outlined by Pamella Russell, field operations manager for Jamaica Broilers' Best Dressed Poultry Division, during a meeting with the farmers in Old Harbour, St. Catherine, last week.
Mrs. Russell said the modified payment plan was arrived at after extensive discussions with the farmers. "What we have ended up with creates a more favourable situation for both the organisation and our contract farmers as we all seek to cope with rapidly changing market conditions," she said.
Among other things, a two-tiered bonus payment will be introduced in the form of an "incremental throughput premium" for farmers who upgraded their facilities in keeping with the requirements of the
company, to allow for greater efficiencies.
She also said quarterly payments would be made to company's major input costs to ensure the farmers were fully aware of the real costs.
