As reported in last Wednesday’s edition of the Amandala, the citrus growers of Belize met in Dangriga several days ago, and failed to arrive at a definite fee to be charged per box of fruits delivered to the factory in 2007. A motion to ask for $0.08 per box of oranges, and $0.05 per box of grapefruits carried the day, but because the growers did not realize a quorum (25% of general membership), the matter was deferred until a date to be set.
We have been unable to contact CGA boss, Mrs. Bridget Cullerton (out of office until Wednesday), and CGA Chairman Frank Redmond could not be reached either, but a reliable source has informed us that the Management Committee of CGA has backtracked on a prior decision to allow free deliveries of fruits until the Citrus Control Board (CCB) has convened and set an interim fee (until the next Special General Meeting). The original plan was that when the CCB set a fee, then farmers would be charged (asked to pay) retroactively.
We are made to understand that the CCB has not yet convened, and the Management Committee (of CGA) has decided to go ahead and ask farmers to pay 8 cents per box of oranges, and 5 cents per box of grapefruits… until farmers meet later this month, or next, to finalize the fee for the year.
The question being asked by some serious growers at this time is how will CGA (Office Staff) and its research arm, CREI (Citrus Research & Education Institute) survive if 8 cents and 5 cents are approved as the fees for the year. Chairman Frank Redmond pointed out that the benefits realized from a strong CGA pays many times over for the fee charged. Former CGA Board member, Mr. Denzil Jenkins, pointed out at the last Special General Meeting that the Florida citrus industry charges much more than the $0.13 per box of oranges, and the $0.10 per box of grapefruits that the CGA Management Committee had requested for 2007.
What is desperately needed in the citrus industry just about now, is more discussion. At the Special General Meeting, Mr. Tony Zabaneh suggested that the citrus growers should be meeting at least every quarter. He is one hundred percent right. Farmers have to understand the importance of research, and the cost of doing it. Farmers must understand the importance of extension services, and the cost of carrying it out. Farmers must learn more about the business of their industry. As Mr. Jenkins pointed out, the citrus industry affects every Belizean. It is in all our interests that citrus growers understand the full ramifications of the decisions that they are making today.