Farmers to be paid double for starch

The price paid to arrowroot farmers for the sale of starch has doubled.The increase, which took effect March 18, sees the price paid to farmers moving from EC$0.50 to EC $1.00 per pound.{{more}}

Agriculture Minister, Saboto Caesar told SEARCHLIGHT that the increase is as a result of “vigorous and continuous” negotiations between the arrowroot association in collaboration with the ministry of agriculture and overseas buyers.

“Over the last 14 months, I have worked very closely with the arrowroot association on two separate negotiations events.

Caesar said, during the first negotiation, they were able to secure a price from the buyer of US$6, to be paid to the arrowroot association, up from US$5 a pound.

“This year, the negotiations continued and we were able to secure another US$1, from $6 per pound to $7 per pound,” the minister explained.

“What this means is that last year, we were able to increase the price for rhizomes from EC$0.35 to $0.50 per pound to this year, from 50 cents per pound, doubling the price taking it up to one dollar EC per pound,” he added.

The minister also said that 80 cents is paid up front to farmers and the remaining 20 cents is “being worked out” to be paid as bonus.

A five-year rolling contract was signed on March 15 between the Arrowroot Industry Association and A.A. Saiya & Company, Inc for the exportation of 30,000 pounds of arrowroot starch to the United States at the price of US$7 per pound.

A.A. Saiya & Company, Inc are spice brokers and agents located in Hoboken, New Jersey.

Meanwhile, commendation was given the arrowroot farmers of the North Windward constituency for “not giving up”, even when industry was in its struggling stages.

“… But for the people of North Windward, there may not have been any arrowroot produced in St Vincent and the Grenadines for export,” Caesar stated.

The minister further noted that persons who are interested in writing on the history of the agricultural sector of St Vincent and the Grenadines should pay particular attention to recognising the herculean effort of the people of the constituency of North Windward for ensuring that the arrowroot industry stayed alive.

“Even though it is usually black listed as extremely labour intensive, which is a fact, they have stuck through the thick and through the thin, with this commodity and today they are now the beneficiaries of a significant price increase.” (AA)