GEORGE HENRY, STAR Writer

Ginger farmers in sections of upper Clarendon have reported that praedial thieves have been wreaking havoc in their fields by stealing ginger that is yet to mature.

According to the farmers, two weeks ago, thieves went into their fields and pulled several pounds of underdeveloped ginger, which would not be ready for harvesting until about November this year.

The ginger farmers, who are mostly from the Sanguinetti district in the parish, told THE WEEKEND STAR that they have invested a lot of money and time in the condiment and were seeking to help increase the production of the crop especially because it has experienced a significant decline over recent years because of a root rot disease.

One farmer who gave his name as Michael showed THE WEEKEND STAR some of the ginger which was pulled by praedial thieves. Michael said he and his fellow farmers are so disappointed, as they are still to come to grips with the crime, especially because all of them are planting the crop for the first time.

"We were aware that there has been a decline in the production of ginger over recent years and decided that we wanted to help in the increase, so that we can assist in supplying the local market and even help with the exporting of the crop," said the farmer.

He noted that the price of ginger has been going for between $150 per pound in the field and $200 per pound in the market. The farmer added that the price for which the crop is being purchased could be an encouragement for the praedial thieves to enter their fields to pull the young ginger. They were not able to say how much the damage done by the thieves has cost them so far because of the under-development of the ginger.

The farmers are calling on members of the public not to make any purchases from persons who might turn up to sell them ginger; as such a crop would not be of much use to consumers of the condemint. The farmers have vowed to be on the lookout for persons who might have intentions to return to their fields to once again carry out the criminal act.