By George Henry, Gleaner Writer,SPALDINGS, Clarendon:
THERE IS a move afoot to have the Jamaica Coffee Federation, which represents the 16 low-land coffee co-operatives islandwide, amalgamated with the Jamaica Cocoa Federation.
Secretary/manager of the Jamaica Coffee Federation, William Morgan, told The Gleaner that for some time now the coffee federation has been dormant and in an effort to bring new life to the ailing organisation the move was being made to have an amalgamation with the cocoa federation.
Mr. Morgan noted that it was his view that coffee farmers, especially, were conscious enough of the existence of the Jamaica Coffee Federation, and this he attributed to the inactivity of his group.
He stated that due to the inactivity of the Jamaica Coffee Federation, coffee farmers have not had any representation on the Coffee Industry Board, hence members are not so much aware as to what was happening in the coffee industry.
"With this new thrust that we want to put into the federation, when the amalgamation process is complete, we can go to the powers that be with one voice, speaking on behalf of coffee and cocoa at the same time."
Mr. Morgan said it was his hope that by the end of the year the amalgamation would be in place. However, according to him, before that can be a reality the organisations would have to hold a meeting each, followed by a meeting of the amalgamated society, where directors of the larger group would be elected to steer the new organisation.
UNDER ONE UMBRELLA
The veteran coffee farmer, who has a wealth of experience in the coffee industry, said it was important to have both groups operating under one umbrella, as it would be more beneficial administratively.
He stated that, if they were combined, farmers would only be paying one administration to carry on the work of both federations and the shortage of well-needed funds would be eased.
Mr. Morgan pointed out that the coffee and cocoa federations were being funded from a cess deducted by the Coffee Industry and the Cocoa Industry boards, from the payment of each box of coffee and cocoa supplied to them by co-operatives, which receive the produce from the farmers.
He said the cess collected currently was very small, but the federations could not lobby for an increase until the federations were on the type of footing that would bring better service to them.
The cess collected from each box of coffee is currently at $1.50, but Mr. Morgan was unable to say what was the cess on each box of cocoa.
He went on to say that the shortage of funds in the federations was due mainly to a low production in especially coffee in especially the low land area. However, according to Mr. Morgan, all effort would be made to assist in the boost in the production of both crops when the new organisation is come into being.
In the meantime, Mr. Morgan said coffee production islandwide could be easily boosted, because there is sufficient land available for production. He, however, noted that efforts would have to be made in getting more young people in the sector.
The coffee federation secretary/manager added that if young persons were to enter the sector, the price being offered for coffee would have to be improved.
"The price currently being offered is running out the older farmers in the sector. Whatever they are getting now from the crop cannot sustain them. And young people are not going to come in at the current rate. As a matter of fact, 75 per cent of the farmers who are now in the coffee business are going to move away from its production if the price is not improved. But I still believe there is a future for coffee and cocoa," said Mr. Morgan.
Both the coffee and cocoa federations make representation on behalf of their memberships in the areas of marketing, pricing and production. They also offer training to farmers in both crops. However, not much has been done in recent times in the area of training, due to a lack of funds, said Mr. Morgan.
