Work ongoing to improve catchment capacity of farmers

By Halshane Burke    

 

Agriculture Minister Floyd Green says work is taking place to improve the catchment capacity of farmers.

 

Mr. Green says this forms part of the ministry's effort to improve the farmers' ability to withstand the current dry spell.

 

He says the ministry has worked with 45 farmers to develop catchment areas and provide them with pond liners.

 

"That work has helped about a thousand farmers in enhancing their water management practices and their agricultural sustainability. Additionally, we've targeted about six areas, highly productive zones, that we're building retention, catchment areas. We have earmarked over $8 million to that drive. We have completed one already in Hinds Town. We're doing some work in Lucky Pen in St. Mary to ensure that when the rain does come, that our farmers are better able to capture that water and to use that water for their agricultural enterprise," said the minister, who was speaking during Wednesday's post Cabinet press briefing.