Cocoa farmers in Grenada have appealed to Junior Agriculture Minister Roland Bhola for assistance in the fight against rodents creating further headache for the fragile industry.

The farmers spoke of an increase in the rat population and they complain about the rodents eating the little left of the cocoa crops that survived hurricanes Ivan and Emily.

Cocoa farmers made their concerns known during the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Grenada Cocoa Association (GCA) held last Friday at Bain's Hall in Grenville, St. Andrew.

The Ministry of Agriculture has admitted that there has been an emergence of some pests in the country in the aftermath of hurricane Ivan. The farmers also called for a stipend to be given to them due to the fact that they have no disposable income because of the damage to their crops and field after two hurricanes.

They spoke out against the huge sums paid by government to workers employed with the debushing programme on the nation's road. According to the farmers, they are unable to attract labourers to work on their lands because they cannot match the amount paid by government to these workers.

In addressing farmers, Bhola said government is committed to developing a commercially oriented and viable industry, one that is internationally competitive for exporters of cocoa, manufacturers of value-added products for domestic and export markets and for stronger linkages with tourism.

The Minister of State in the Ministry of Agriculture noted that the industry should be one that generates income, contribute to foreign exchange and improve the standard of living for cocoa farmers.

Bhola was high in praise for the board, management and staff of the cocoa association, as well as farmers for creating an enabling environment to reposition and reinvigorate the cocoa industry. He pointed out that 2003/04 has seen the industry enter a new era in that key indicators such as farmer price, cost of operations, outsourcing and restructuring clearly demonstrate the association's determination to move the industry forward.

According to the government minister, the past two years was memorable in many respects in that it marked the first increase in production since 1996 and the return to profit for two consecutive years.

He noted that the ravaging effects of hurricane Ivan not only nullified cocoa production and sales, but the industry also suffered a 60% loss of tree stock, which will have implications on future income.