Local Farmers have again been assured that they will benefit from a discount on the landed price of fertilizer on the pending shipment, this assurance came from the Minister of Agriculture, Hon. Saboto Caesar.
A release from the Ministry of Agriculture said the Russia-Ukraine conflict has caused a significant increase in the price of fertilizer globally. The Ministry noted that the local Agricultural Input Warehouse has subsidised the cost of fertilizer for farmers for several years, in an effort to reduce the cost of production in the agriculture sector.
It Ministry assured that the Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines will be providing a further subsidy to ensure that the cost of fertilizer remains affordable. It outlined the difference between the current landed cost and selling price for “ordinary manure” (NPK), Urea, Vegetable Fertilizer and Sulphate of Ammonia.
| NPK | UREA | VEGETABLE FERTILIZER | SULPHATE OF AMMONIA |
| Landed Cost $149.59 | Landed Cost $177.67 | Landed Cost $125.73 | Landed Cost $95.73 |
| Selling Price $95.00 | Selling Price $105.00 | Selling Price $105.00 | Selling Price $75.00 |
| Discount $54.59 (36%) | Discount $72.67 (41%) | Discount $30.73 (24%) | Discount $20.73 (22%) |
The Ministry of Agriculture further noted that, owing to the changes in prices on the global fertilizer market, the Government’s subsidy will be addressed on a shipment-by-shipment basis. It added that Farmers of St. Vincent and the Grenadines have benefited from direct Government interventions over the last three years. It pointed out that these initiatives include: Tractor Services; Seeds and seedlings; Fertilizer Support; Marketing, (through the Love Box); and Farm Infrastructure Rehabilitation.
The next fertilizer shipment is expected to arrive in St. Vincent and the Grenadines before the end of this month.
SOURCE: National Broadcast Corporation (NBC)
