For the third time since the start of the year, local fertiliser producers Newport-Fersan has announced a cut in its prices.

Effective yesterday, the company shaved almost four per cent off the price of six of its popular fertiliser blends.

According to Newport-Fersan, it is keeping its promise to farmers "to give them space to continue farming and help the country produce our way out of the recession".

Keith Harrisingh, who was recently appointed sales manager at Newport-Fersan, said the price cut was another initiative by the company to assist the local farming community.

He said Newport-Fersan is also stepping up its technical assistance to farmers to ensure the most efficient use of our fertilisers.

Profitable return

"Cutting prices is one aspect in facilitating a profitable return on farmers' investments as our input costs fall," Harrisingh said.

According to him, other major initiatives by Newport-Fersan (Jamaica) Limited include increased promotion of greenhouse techno-logy that will allow local farmers to produce high-end crops such as winter vegetables, and passing on expertise gained in other parts of the region in rice cultivation.

"If our farmers are to rise to the challenge of feeding the nation and producing our way out of the current economic challenges, they must be assisted by the most scientific and productive processes that are both cost-effective and efficient," Harrisingh said.