Clive Bryan, Gleaner Writer

The activities of the St. Mary Milk Marketing Group that was established by the Eastern Jamaica Agricultural Support Project (EJASP) is now at a standstill.

Most of the 38 small dairy farmers in the group have all but lost interest as the promised daily collection of milk has not beentaking place.

According to the president of the group, Keith Needham, a new truck bought by EJASP late last year to transport cow's milk produced by members of the group, was currently parked at the parish office of the St. Mary Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA).

New truck for transport

"If milk was being collected the farmers would show more interest and would expand because the farmers would be earning some money," Mr. Needham says.

Mr. Needham says the farmers have an agreement to supply fresh milk to Nestl? Jamaica, but the new truck was not being used to collect and transport milk to the company's collection station in Guys Hill, St. Mary. The agreement between the farmers and Nestl? includes arrangements for transportation, price, payment schedule and the collection of a cess towards future maintenance of the truck.

The St. Mary RADA parish manager, Victor Edwards confirmed the breakdown of the agreement with the group, but did not offer details of the reasons for the breakdown.

As a result, some members, including the president, have been selling their cows. The group of farmers has also been targeted by praedial thieves.

Frustrating

Mr. Needham describes the situation as frustrating because it was becoming increasingly difficult to revive interest as more members sell their cows. He said it costs about $8,000 for a dairy calf and as much as $30,000 for a heifer. Mr. Needham , however, is optimistic that Nestl? was still interested in the arrangement as he said there have been queries from a representative of the company up to January.

The milk marketing group, which last met in October 2006, had outlined plans to expand its operations to include small dairy farmers in neighbouring districts in St. Ann and St. Catherine. However, the future of the group now seems uncertain.