Minister Announces Additional $50 Million for Drought Intervention Programme

Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Hon. Floyd Green, has announced an additional $50 million for the drought-intervention programme, targeting water storage and drip irrigation systems.

He made the announcement during a media briefing at the Ministry’s Office in Kingston, on Tuesday (September 22).

The Minister noted that the additional support is intended to improve water efficiency as rainfall resumes. “The rain is coming but we want to ensure that farmers are using the water efficiently,” he said.

“We’re going to be again procuring some storage tanks, some drip irrigation systems, placing greater emphasis on water application, sustainable production, better use of the water resources, as we look to expand production to ensure that we have a Christmas where our food security is truly secure,” the Minister continued.

He said the Government is also expanding irrigation infrastructure, noting that irrigation systems in Parnassus, Clarendon, have provided water to 700 acres.

Meanwhile, the Essex Valley irrigation programme in St. Elizabeth is nearing completion, with the first farmers expected to receive water by the end of September.

He described the project as the largest investment in irrigation undertaken in Jamaica and the Caribbean.

“The Essex Valley system will really help us in relation to our food security matrix,” he said.

More than 150 farmers have already expressed interest and applied to receive water through the system, with 40 having applied and paid for the service and expected to be among the first beneficiaries.

The Government has also provided $5 million in targeted support to benevolent societies in the area, including fertiliser, seeds, water and tractor services for land preparation, “so that when the water comes, they are able to plant,” the Minister said.

He said the Government is also seeking to expand production among farmers who have access to water, by helping them to increase the acreage they cultivate.

“We have farmers now doing 10 acres. We’re going to say to that farmer, how can we help you to move that to 15 or 20?” he said.

Mr. Green also highlighted the Amity Hall/Bridge Pen project in St. Catherine, where 200 acres of land are being cleared for agricultural production, and 22 leases have already been distributed to entrepreneurs.

“We’re doing the land clearance for them, free of cost, so that once the water starts to flow, which we expect will happen in a few weeks, they will be able to again start planting as we focus on the Christmas period,” he continued.