Montego Bay, May 11, 2019 – Jamaica – Some 300 farmers who cultivate approximately 150 acres of land in Southfield and Bull Savannah in St. Elizabeth have benefited from drip irrigation tools and equipment valued at over $69 million.
During
a ceremony at the Bethel Bible Camp in the Malvern Chase District of Southfield
on Thursday (May 9), each farmer was presented with 0.5 acres of drip
irrigation hoses and fittings, two 1,000-gallon water storage tanks as well as
harvesting crates.
The Jamaica
Social Investment Fund (JSIF) provided $63.4 million for the equipment under
its ‘Basic Needs Trust Fund’ which is financed through a grant from the Caribbean
Development Bank, with the two farmers’ groups contributing $5.54 million.
Minister
of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Audley Shaw, in his
remarks at the handover ceremony, expressed gratitude to JSIF and hailed the
farmers for “putting their own resources into innovative initiatives that will
contribute to their own livelihoods”.
He
said that the Government is serious about the development of agriculture
infrastructure in Jamaica as a critical pathway for expanding production and
productivity in the sector.
“Agricultural
production requires not just hard labour, investment and inputs but also
necessary infrastructure such as roads, drains, storage facilities and
irrigation,” Mr. Shaw pointed out.
“It is
for that reason that the Ministry, through the Rural Agriculture Development
authority (RADA), will continue the rehabilitation of approximately 1,000
kilometres of farm roads throughout the island and, already, $752 million has
been allocated in this year’s budget to achieve this,” he noted.
Minister
without Portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister, Hon. Mike Henry, for his
part, lauded the contribution of JSIF to the agricultural sector through
various projects and initiatives aimed at alleviating the challenges of global
warming and climate change. He said that
these efforts will continue.
The
irrigation systems will provide increased access to and efficient use of water
to boost productivity and consistency in farm yields, thereby contributing to
domestic food security.
Approximately
1,000 persons are expected to benefit, including higglers and purveyors, who
supply produce to the municipal markets, supermarkets and the hotel sector.
Contact: Okoye Henry
Release: JIS
Photo Caption: Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Audley Shaw (right), cuts the ribbon to mark the handover of drip irrigation equipment to farmers from Southfield and Bull Savannah in St. Elizabeth, at the Bethel Bible Camp in Southfield on Thursday (May 9). Looking on (from left) are Minister without Portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister, Hon. Mike Henry; President of the Southfield Farmers’ Benevolent Society, Imogene Smith; Bull Savanna Benevolent Society’s executive, Tracey Powell; and Managing Director of the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF), Omar Sweeney.
Okoye
Henry Photos