More Pond Liners for Farmers

The Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF) will be providing $13 million to acquire additional pond liners for farmers.

Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Hon. Floyd Green, made the disclosure in a Statement to the House of Representatives on February 4.

The pond liners will help to prevent water from leaking out of catchment areas used by farmers during droughts.

Mr. Green also informed that as a direct result of discussions he had with Food For the Poor, they have committed to providing 100 small water pumps, which will be distributed to farmers in targeted production areas.

“This critical support we will start the distribution over the next two weeks,” Mr. Green said.

The Minister informed that the detailed rollout plan, developed in collaboration with the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), National Irrigation Commission (NIC), and Agro-Investment Corporation (AIC), will ensure that help reaches the right hands at the right time.

Beyond providing immediate relief from the dry conditions, Mr. Green said the Ministry has made significant investments in long-term water security for farmers.

“We are already better able to face this year’s dry period because of the work we did last year. Over the past year, we have constructed and enhanced 11 catchment and retention ponds in key agricultural areas, including Perth Town in Trelawny, Malvern in St. Elizabeth, John’s Vale in Clarendon and Williamsfield in Manchester, where we expanded the facility with pond liners,” he noted.

In Hindstown, St. Ann, in addition to the newly constructed catchment pond, the Ministry has expanded existing catchment areas and fixed leakages, further strengthening water storage capacity for farmers.

“We have also almost completed a brand-new catchment pond in New Pen, St. Mary,” Mr. Green said.

In addition to this, the Ministry has distributed 171 irrigation kits and 178 water tanks to farmers to enhance water management and agricultural productivity.