SPALDINGS
THE PRODUCTION of hot peppers in North West Clarendon is said to be on the increase, as not only are more farmers upping their production of the spice, but also that more are entering as new farmers.
Checks by Farmers Weekly on Thursday, have shown that since the formation of the North West Clarendon Hot Pepper Association, towards the end of last year, more farmers, especially those who are involved in the production of Scotch Bonnet peppers have increased their acreages and the association is now getting more to supply to its buyers.
President of the Association, John Givans, who is one of a group of persons who were instrumental in getting the association started, said the membership has seen an increase by over 450 per cent. "When the association was established last year, it started with 52 farmers from across 27 communities and now, the number has increased significantly," said Mr. Givans.
He pointed out that since the announcement of the formation of the association, membership in terms of the number of farmers it represents has moved to 286 and that figure is expected to increase over the next two to three months.
Asked if the association was not producing too much peppers at this time, Mr. Givans said the group has never experienced a glut since its formation and that it did not expect to experience any at this time, as the demand for the produce was great.
He added that with the demand for the produce high at this time, the association sometimes experienced difficulty fulfilling some orders received.
The president stated that several markets have been identified locally for the sale of peppers, including the Walkerswood Spice Company at Walkerswood in St. Ann as well as several higglers, who purchased the produce to sell to their customers.
He also pointed out that the association now has plans to acquire an old market facility at Thompson Town, Clarendon, where a nursery could be established for pepper seedlings, an office for the association could be set up and a depot for the storing of the product.
These plans, according to Mr. Givans, are in keeping with the demand of the product; the number of farmers entering the production of the crop, as well as future plans to enter the overseas market.
He said, now that the dry spell that farmers had been experiencing over the past three to four months is broken, it is expected that more peppers will be produced, hence the demand for the product would be satisfied.
Some of the communities that formed the Pepper Association include Smithville, Myersfield, Bowensgate, Richmond Park, Victoria, Lodge and Thompson Town. The North West Clarendon Pepper Association President is encouraging more farmers to be a part of the association, especially young persons, who are interested in making a livelihood for themselves.
George Henry
