TUFTON

Minister of Agriculture and Lands, Dr. Christopher Tufton, has announced that, within another few weeks, banana exporters are to receive loans that have been facilitated by the Development Bank of Jamaica (DBJ).

Prime Minister Bruce Golding had announced at the Jamaica Labour Party annual conference, two Sundays ago, that the government has stepped in to save 850 jobs in the banana export sector.

The Government has signed off as the guarantor of the loan that was sought by the Banana Export Company (BECCO) from DBJ to assist the industry that has been affected by the past three hurricanes and was faced with the possibility of the export sector shutting down.

Shortly after meeting with banana farmers in Highgate, St. Mary, on Wednesday, Dr. Tufton told The Gleaner that BECCO, the export company, has received the loan of US$4 million.

"The loan will be available in another week or so. So all of that is in full swing so the 800 workers who would have been laid off is no longer the case," said Dr. Tufton, before heading off to Portland where the tour of agricultural facilities of the eastern parishes concluded.

Bitter complaints

However, at the farmers' meeting in Highgate, the small banana growers complained bitterly about the lack of support from the Government within the industry.

Some farmers quarrelled that they have to travel across parishes, such as from St. James to Portland, to purchase agricultural supplies like spray oil.

"What I am concerned about immediately are the small farmers. What are we going to do for them, how are we going to work with them to ensure that they have a good programme," said Dr. Tufton, noting that technical support would be of utmost importance.