Government Investment in Agriculture Paying Off
By: , August 4, 2014The Key Point:
The Facts
- Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller, who was addressing the Denbigh Agricultural, Industrial and Food Show in May Pen, Clarendon on Sunday, August 3, said that the sector has recovered from the effects of the 2012 hurricane.
- She said that despite the prevailing drought, the sector grew by 20 per cent in the first quarter of 2014 and by a further 9.1 per cent in the second quarter.
The Full Story
Government’s investment in the recovery of the agriculture sector after the devastating effects of Hurricane Sandy, has paid off, with production surpassing pre-hurricane levels.
Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller, who was addressing the Denbigh Agricultural, Industrial and Food Show in May Pen, Clarendon on Sunday, August 3, said that the sector has recovered from the effects of the 2012 hurricane.
She said that despite the prevailing drought, the sector grew by 20 per cent in the first quarter of 2014 and by a further 9.1 per cent in the second quarter. “This demonstrates that the over $5 billion that this Government has spent in installing irrigation infrastructure all over the island is paying great dividends. It is money, which has been well spent,” she stated.
Turning to measures to alleviate the drought conditions, the Prime Minister informed that the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development is to provide $15 million to truck water to three of the most affected parishes, for domestic and agricultural use. These are St. Elizabeth, Manchester and Clarendon.
Also, the Ministry is to develop an emergency response plan to complement the initiatives being implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Water, Land, Environment and Climate Change.
Mrs. Simpson Miller further informed that the Government will continue to implement systems to mitigate and adapt to climate change and a further $64 million has been budgeted for this financial year to promote such efforts.
The Prime Minister also used the occasion to appeal to farmers to desist from using the slash and burn technique to clear land for planting. She said that the ongoing drought has highlighted the danger of the practice.
“These fires get out of control and have been detrimental to farms, livestock and regrettably, result in loss of lives. I want to urge our farmers to stop this practice of lighting fires to clear land. It is just not worth it,” she stated.