Newport-Fersan launches new pesticide products in Jamaica

Through its partnership with India-based Parijat Industries, agricultural input supplier Newport-Fersan (Jamaica) Limited (NFJ) has added three new pesticides to its product catalogue that it will market to local farmers.

Launched August 31, at the Golf View Hotel in Mandeville, Manchester, the three new NFJ products are Sucka, Spectra 31.5% and Enigma 70%WP. They will complement the company's already existing portfolio of pesticides — FerStrike, Clear-Weh, and Eradicate.

The Newport-Fersan team pose for a photo at the launch of its three new pesticides at the Golf View Hotel in Mandeville, Manchester.

According to NFJ Managing Director Dennis Valdez, the launch of the new pesticides build on the company's precise nutrient management approach in which it uses soil sampling as the means to converse with farmers and provide them with the appropriate fertiliser for their farming activities, as well as bringing new technology into the Jamaican market.

"Speaking about technology and partnership, today is a very special day as we are unveiling and officially launching our line of pesticides, products with the right active ingredients, essential for optimum production and productivity," he stated.

"We have already seen where the products such as Ferstrike, Clear-weh, if used as prescribed, will effectively combats pests, allow you to achieve higher yields whilst not breaking the bank," Valdez continued.

The managing director added that the pricing of the products is critical as input costs have reached record highs. Moreover, he said it aligns with the company's push to improving the self-sufficiency and sustainability of Jamaica's agriculture sector by providing quality fertiliser and other chemical inputs.

NFJ has partnered with Parijat Industries for the manufacturing of pesticides. The India-based agrochemicals manufacturer sells to 70 countries across the world and has approximately 500 registered trademarks globally to include insecticides, herbicides and fungicides.

A product description from NFJ indicate that the Parijat Industries-manufactured pesticides are the result of extensive research and development trials.

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, up to 40 per cent of crop production globally is lost to plant pests and diseases. Losses from plant diseases amount to US$220 million per annum, while the cost to manage invasive insects is estimated around US$70 billion.

And the effects of global warming could make things worse, scientists have said, as the increase in overall temperature makes soils ideal for insects.

Speaking on behalf of the minister of agriculture and fisheries at the launch, Kevin Condappa noted, "Here in Jamaica, pest outbreaks continue to plague the sector, the most recent being the Frosty Pod Rot disease in cocoa which impacted over 2,428 hectares of cocoa and the livelihood."

He, however, expressed confidence that the new NFJ products will help to protect farmers' crops from destruction by pests "that not only reduce the quality but also the quantity of agricultural products".

While expressing appreciation to NFJ as partner of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Condappa said the partnerships supports the Grow Smart, Eat Smart strategy which aims to promote healthy plants, which are necessary to ensure food sufficiency, security and safety.

"Today, with the launch of these new products, Newport-Fersan is bringing products to the market that is intended to bolster the agricultural value chain. It is our wish that these products will help to boost the production levels of farmers and contribute to our commitment to ensure that as a nation we are food secure," Condappa added.