Essex Valley Irrigation Programme gets $70 Million

The Government has allocated $70 million to the Essex Valley Irrigation Infrastructure Development Programme, which aims to assist in the achievement of food security and the modernisation of the agricultural sector.

This is contained in the 2017-18 Estimates of Expenditures now before the House of Representatives.

The objectives of this project, being implemented by the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, will be achieved through the construction of wells and the development of associated agricultural infrastructure in the arable Essex Valley in St. Elizabeth.

The allocation will be used for the development of lands and irrigation infrastructure, construction of access roads and a pump house, and to undertake well drilling.

The project runs from April 2017 to March 2020 and is being funded by the Caribbean Development Bank.