Major Irrigation Scheme For Pedro Plains, St. Elizabeth

The sum of $304 million has been budgeted for the 2022/23 financial year to conduct activities for a major irrigation scheme, which will see water lifted from the Black River to the Pedro Plains of southern St. Elizabeth.

Agriculture and Fisheries Minister, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., said the sum will also cover the cost for conducting surveys and cadastral mapping for the project area.

Upon completion, the project will increase the availability of water to more than 4,000 farmers in the Pedro plains.

At a post Sectoral Debate media briefing on May 18, at the Ministry, Old Hope Road, and online, Minister Charles Jr. said the project is a response to calls for greater investment in the sector.

“Irrigation has been an issue, along with farm roads and general infrastructure, that has needed significant investment over time. [This is integral to achieving] growth in the sector. We are building the framework to achieve the results we want. Agriculture is the key to Jamaica’s sustainable growth,” the Minister said.

Other irrigation projects being implemented include the Yallahs West Agricultural Development Project, valued at $39 million, and the Lucky Hill Pen Agricultural Development Project, $51 million.

Funding for the projects has been approved and implementation is slated to start in the 2022/23 financial year.

To bolster the expansion of irrigation infrastructure, funding has also been approved by the Government and Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF) in the sum of $198 million to be pumped into the Mango, Ebony Park and the Plantain Garden River agro-parks. This covers approximately 155 hectares (384 acres) of land.