Modernisation Of Agricultural Sector To Benefit From $2.6B
By: , February 15, 2022The Full Story
More than $2.6 billion has been set aside to continue the Essex Valley Irrigation Infrastructure Development Programme.
Details of the provision are contained in the 2022/2023 Estimates of Expenditure, now before the House of Representatives.
The programme aims to assist in achieving food security and modernisation of the agricultural sector by increasing the area under formal irrigation in St. Elizabeth by 50 per cent and the yield of crops in Essex Valley to a minimum of 90 per cent of their potential yield.
This is to be achieved through the construction of wells and the development of associated agricultural infrastructure in the arable Essex Valley area.
Anticipated physical targets for the 2022/2023 period include installation of irrigation pipes, fittings and metres; supply and installation of pumps and equipment; supply and installation of renewable energy plant for irrigation; and development of the Essex Valley and Southern Plains Agricultural Development Projects area Operational Plan.
Community engagement and support for community-based organisations, including gender mainstreaming and support of vulnerable groups, will also be done under the project.
Achievements up to December 2021 include drilling of eight wells (five have produced water); cadastral survey, socio-economic baseline survey, and climate vulnerability assessment were also done.
In addition, energy audits of National Irrigation Commission (NIC) and the Agro – Investment Corporation (AIC) were conducted.
A Global GAP Assessment, as well as training and certification of farm assurers, and a tariff study of NIC, plus design of an agricultural building and irrigation network have been completed.
Capacity building for climate resilience and crop modelling are 90 per cent complete.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries is spearheading the project. Joint funding for the programme is being provided by the Government of Jamaica and the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB).
Its original duration of April 2017 to March 2020 has been extended to March 2022 and is slated to continue to June 2023.