RADA Conducting Survey among Farmers to Tackle Drought

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), Mr. Lenworth Fulton, says the agency is now conducting a national survey to determine the number of farmers who are interested in practising water harvesting techniques,  beyond just having a “black tank” on their farm.

Addressing farmers in Southfield, St. Elizabeth, recently, Mr. Fulton explained that the project forms part of RADA’s efforts to ease the woes faced by farmers during the annual dry periods.

Mr. Fulton said RADA is proposing that the farmers harvest water by establishing ponds on their farms, a project which has already been piloted among 23 green house farmers in the last year and a half.

He pointed out that the ponds will ensure that in the most severe drought, water will be available for at least up to 100 days.

The  CEO  said the nation’s 230,000 farmers have been affected by drought annually, and harvesting water through the construction of ponds could be a long term solution.

Meanwhile, Mr. Fulton is urging farmers and Extension Officers attached to RADA to begin  using modern technology to improve the level of communication between them.

He  said  that the 200 RADA Extension Officers will not be able to reach all farmers on a consistent basis, and the use of smart phones, internet and other social media platforms will ensure that information is passed on at a faster pace.