Ten million dollars ($10 million) drought mitigation support for the farmers

Senator Norman Grant, President of the Jamaica Agricultural Society says; The Jamaica Agricultural Society welcomes the announcement by the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon Derrick Keller, in Parliament on Tuesday May 19th of the ten million dollars ($10 million) drought mitigation support for the farmers and the agricultural sectors. The provision of tanks, irrigation items and the trucking of water will go a far way in helping to relieve some of the challenges faced by the farmers in the short run. The JAS will continue to work with the Ministry of Agriculture and the Government in the development of long term drought mitigation measures and ensure all seasons sustainable production level which is critical to the country‘s development.” Senator Grant says further, last year’s prolong period of drought lasting from May to September 2014 affected over 18,000 farmers and cost the agricultural sector $1 billion in crop lost. The Minister’s intervention at this time will ensure that there is not a re-occurrence of last year’s adverse effect as a result of the drought.” End Quote