Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. J.C. Hutchinson, addresses a ceremony for the handing over of a tractor to the Colbeck Water Users Association in Old Harbour, St. Catherine. The presentation was made on June 27, 2016 at the National Irrigation Commission's (NIC) office in the area.
The Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries has presented a tractor to onion farmers in Colbeck, St. Catherine which will enable them to cultivate larger pieces of land and increase their crop yields.
Minister without Portfolio, Hon. J.C. Hutchinson, handed over the New Holland TD 90 tractor during a ceremony in the community on July 27, making good on a commitment to provide assistance.
The Minister noted that during a visit to the community two months ago to launch the Onion Development Programme, expressions for land preparation tools were made by the farmers, who make up the Colbeck Water Users Association.
Mr. Hutchinson said the tractor would enable them to increase crop production by almost 100 per cent.
“The tractor is important. We will find that production and productivity will be increased greatly,” he said.
Member of the Colbeck Water Users Association, Earl Finnikin, expressed gratitude for the tractor. He said the equipment will be put to good use.
The Colbeck Water Users Association, which comprises over 70 vibrant farmers, acquired the Colbeck lands from the early 1980s.
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