Create Agricultural Development Bond – Senator Grant

President of the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS), Senator Norman Grant has proposed that a 30- year US$250 million bond be established for investment in agriculture and rural development.
He made the suggestion on Saturday (July 5) at the opening ceremony of the 54th Denbigh Agricultural and Industrial show, at the Denbigh Showground in May Pen, Clarendon.
According to Senator Grant, the monies could be used to expand the rural infrastructure of the economy, by building factories and irrigation systems, and rehabilitating and constructing farm roads.
“We need to find a way to sustain our road network, which means that we might have to look at a rural toll,” he noted.
Continuing, he maintained that the toll system would benefit the economy as farmers would be able to get their produce from their field to the market, hassle free.
“Once rural farmers are able to get to their fields and to the market in good time, we can continue the expansion of the economy and rural communities,” he reiterated.
Saturday’s event saw a display of agricultural produce and livestock from all parishes across the island, and was attended by representatives from Caribbean countries including Bermuda, Trinidad and Tobago, and St. Maarten, as well as the United States of America, and Canada.
The 2006 Denbigh Agricultural and Industrial Show is being held from August 5 to Monday, August 7 under the theme: ‘Advancing Rural Development through Agriculture’.