Scorched hillside in the Westphalia region of the Blue Mountains. Image contributed.
The Jamaica Agricultural Commodities Regulatory Authority, JACRA, is urging farmers and other agriculture stakeholders to exercise extreme caution when handling fires.
Acting senior director in the coffee division, Patrick Pitterson, spoke with our news centre on Friday.
Pitterson’s comments follow last Wednesday’s devastating fire in the Westphalia region of the Blue Mountains, a major coffee-producing area in eastern Jamaica.
JACRA says several coffee farmers suffered extensive losses in the blaze, with some losing entire sections of their farms, while others also sustained damage to their homes.
It says the loss is particularly significant given the length of time required for coffee plants to reach production. Coffee can take three to four years to come into fruition.
JACRA says the impact is made worse by the loss of other crops on which the farmers depended in-between coffee harvesting periods.
Pitterson lists some precautions to take throughout the dry season.
Patrick Pitterson, acting senior director in the coffee division at JACRA.
