Agriculture Minister Floyd Green is condemning the purported politicisation of the coffee sector by Opposition Leader Mark Golding, categorically stating that overpromising and under-delivering serve neither the interests of the farmers nor the nation’s coffee industry.

Green is cautioning against making unsubstantiated claims that undermine the collaborative efforts underway to support Jamaica’s coffee farmers.

In dismissing Golding’s assertions of neglect, the minister countered that plans to revolutionise coffee farming in Portland are in progress,  

According to the minister, a comprehensive programme to enhance road networks, separate from the Ministry of Agriculture’s efforts to rehabilitate farm roads, is scheduled for implementation.

The Government has pledged additional funding for this initiative, acknowledging the crucial role that efficient transportation routes play in facilitating the movement of coffee produce from farms to markets.

“It’s important for us to acknowledge that the challenges faced by the coffee sector have existed for the past four decades and as such, trying to attribute the challenges to one political party is absolutely wrong and inaccurate. These issues existed during the time of the Opposition, and the Government is moving to actively address these issues. But more importantly, it is crucial for us to move beyond partisan rhetoric and to work collaboratively to find sustainable solutions on behalf of our coffee sector and its farmers,” said Green.

“Some of the work that we have been doing in relation to providing some input support for coffee farmers and also utilising our farm road programmes to address some of the critical thoroughfares have been helping and we have seen growth in our coffee sector. In fact, in 2023, we produced 288,196 boxes of coffee, which is a 16.4 per cent increase compared to the previous year,” he continued. 

Green argued that the Government is dedicated to advocating for mechanisms that guarantee fair prices for farmers’ produce, thus improving their livelihoods and sustaining their commitment to the craft.

“We are acutely looking at the issue of equitable compensation for coffee farmers and it will require an all-hands-on-deck approach; the private sector, working along with the farmers and working with [the] Government. And this is something that we are serious about as we implement our Coffee Restoration and Expansion Programme (CREP) to improve the lives and livelihoods of our coffee farmers,” Green added.

The minister mused that the promises made by Mark Golding are beyond the capacity of the People’s National Party (PNP) leader to fulfill.