Dear Farmers, The following letter has been written against the background of questions being raised again in Jamaica's Parliament last week about the quality of fertiliser sold by our company.
Diamond-R Fertiliser once again would like to state that our fertiliser is of very good quality and plentiful nutritional value. It has been proven to be effective in achieving high yields for farmers who have already used it. We would like to thank those farmers who have previously stood up and spoken about the great production they have achieved from using our fertiliser. Our NPK fertiliser is not cheap (but it is cheaper than others on the market) and it produces results that are better than average. We would like to make a promise to all farmers - we will never compromise our quality!
For the people who remember the controversy over Diamond-R's fertiliser around the time of the by-elections, we would once again like to highlight that our fertiliser is safe, approved by all regulations of the United States (US) and further proved by two independent laboratory testing agencies in Jamaica, the Scientific Research Council and the Bureau of Standards. The very same batch as used by the farmers had been tested.
Our NPK fertiliser offers much nutritional value and is not deficient in any way; it is of very good quality. It does not exceed safe heavy-metal levels. We do not have metal toxicity. Our fertiliser is regulated and lab tested for any metals by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The fertiliser is safe for farming and there is no risk for soil contamination, water contamination or any other underground or above-ground contamination from the proper use of our fertiliser.
misunderstanding
We would like to apologise for any misunderstanding about our product. We did not anticipate that fertiliser made safe for farming consumption in the US with all the appropriate safeguards would be scrutinised so heavily. We lay no blame and are grateful for the opportunity to offer the appropriate, understandable and correct information about our product.
Records, documentation and certificates of authenticity have been provided.
In general, Diamond-R fertiliser is ideal for a wide range of crops used in backyard farming, green-house farming and large-scale land farming. We hope in the future, inappropriate conclusions are not derived without the complete engagement in due diligence. We are responsible to our customers and we make sure all appropriate measures are in place to guarantee safe and superior-quality fertiliser.
We use nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium (NPK) and AA granulite ingredients to manufacture highly potent NPK fertiliser blends. We are regulated by the EPA and Department of Environmental Protection. We carry NPK fertiliser and other types of fertiliser and agricultural products, as used in the US and other countries.
We also carry DAP, MOP, liquid, liquid irrigation, slow release, ammonium sulphate, urea and foliar fertilisers. We specialise in crop protection and pesticides. We also have forage and pasture grass seeds.
Diamond-R has great knowledge and experience in citrus farming and greenhouse farming. We are knowledgeable about the most up-to-date farming methods and the latest farming technologies. We carry products for organic farming and we will be introducing a wide-range of goods to the farming community through select distributors and supermarket stores.
Diamond-R Fertiliser Company has over 150 employees and has been in business since 1943. Our management model has proven to offer competitive pricing to our distributors partly because we do not use expensive sea shipping methods to gather our nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.
Most nutrient materials come to our blending (manufacturing) plants from Canada and certain parts of the US via railway. We purchase NPK regularly and as needed per the requirements of monthly orders from our distributors in the US and abroad. We have a very large buying power in excess of 250,000 tons per year which allows us to negotiate cheaper prices. Our automated blending facilities allow for efficient and accurate blending of fertiliser. We have nine facilities strategically located throughout Florida and many of our plants are in close proximity to shipping ports.
Our fertiliser comes in convenient 50-pound bags and is easy to use and easy to store.
sensible mechanism
We are humbly optimistic that our brand of fertiliser will be further embraced by the people of Jamaica as the efficacy, potency and safety of the fertiliser have been undeniably established. We also believe that our fertiliser can make a significant contribution to the 'Eat-what-we- grow-and-grow-what-we-eat' campaign first stated in the 1970s and repeated many times lately and over the years. The time has come.
If Jamaica is to become self-sufficient and a net exporter rather than a net importer of foods, a viable and sensible mechanism must be in place. There are many components involved and many factors to consider, a large-scale countrywide undertaking must be embraced to achieve that result. Affordable fertiliser can be a small piece of that puzzle and Diamond -R would be honoured to offer itself to play a role in contributing to the future potential for national food security.
Diamond-R Fertiliser is here to work and to serve. And although not the end-all, hopefully the cheaper price of our fertiliser will allow the farmers to afford more, which in turn will result in more fruit and vegetable growth. This will create more and more produce and hence a lower overall price to the Jamaican people.
Now, this may or may not be the only start or the only finish, but this method is reproducible and sustainable. Many countries follow this cost effective method to produce healthy fruits and vegetables. And our fertiliser is regulated by the strictest regulatory agency in the world.
Eat what we grow and grow what we eat!
ALEX KAMINSKY
Managing director
Diamond-R Fertiliser
(Caribbean)
diamondrja@verizon.net