Shelly-Ann Thompson, Staff Reporter

Agriculture stakeholders are expressing concern over the distribution of $30 million in loan assistance to small farmers, which should have been distributed in April.

In January, Agriculture Minister Dr Christopher Tufton, while announcing a $70-million subsidy on the price of fertiliser, said $30 million would be provided to farmers to boost livestock production. At the time, he said the allocation for the livestock industry - primarily for chicken rearing - would be used as an incentive to encourage farmers across the country to improve production.

Yesterday, Henry Rainford, chief executive officer of the Jamaica Livestock Association, said he did not know of any farmers who had received assistance through the programme.

"I would like them to tell me which farmer they gave it to," Rainford told The Gleaner.

"(I'm) not saying none has been received, but I don't know about any."

No idea

Senator Norman Grant, president of the Jamaica Agricultural Society, said he did not know where the programme had reached.

Balfeano Duffus, general secretary of the Beef and Dairy Producers' Association, also said he did not know of any member of his association who had accessed the loan.

Donovan Stanberry, permanent secretary in the agriculture ministry, said funds were turned over to the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) before the end of the financial year.

Stanberry said RADA would have worked with members of Parliament to identify suitable candidates for the incentive.

"That money left the ministry long ago to RADA," said Stanberry. "We don't make commitments and don't keep them."

But Al Powell, executive director of RADA, said yesterday that he was unable to recall the particular allocation being provided to the agency from the ministry.

Powell said he was out of office and would today check the agency's books to provide clarity on the issue.

He said the $30 million might have been provided to RADA prior to his appointment to the agency in February. His predecessor, Albert Shand, could not be reached for comment.

No interference

Yesterday, Stanberry said the ministry did not interfere with the distribution of the allocation to farmers.

Rainford said if distribution was made to farmers, a list of names should have been provided to the ministry.

"This should be done for accountability and proper monitoring of these projects," he said.

shelly-ann.thompson@gleanerjm.com