Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Floyd Green, on April 9 commissioned into service two 6,000-gallon water trucks valued at $35 million to provide irrigation water to farmers in several farming communities in south St. Elizabeth.

Noting that drought conditions have been a major concern of farmers in south St. Elizabeth, many of whom have produced  large quantities of  melons, cantaloupes and condiments without access to  irrigation water, Minister Green said the new trucks would increase water supply to the farmers and provide significant savings for farmers.

“These two trucks will increase the capacity of the NIC (National Irrigation Commission) by 100% in relation to the amount of water that we can truck weekly,” said the Agriculture Minister, who was speaking at a launch held at the NIC’s office in Watchwell, St. Elizabeth, on April 9.

The new trucks, he said, will increase supply capacity; improve service time for water delivery; and expand the reach to farmers in areas such as Top Hill, Southfield, Congo Hole, Seaview, Santa Cruz, Middlesex, Slipe, Burnt Savannah, Mountainside, Billy’s Bay, Treasure Beach and Sandy Bank.

This expanded supply of water, Minister Green said, would allow for more farmers to have access to irrigation water and would make a significant difference in the farmers’ return on investment as well as lower their cost of production.

The trucking of water is part of a wider drive by the Ministry in the southern St. Elizabeth belt to south Manchester to bring water to farmers to include the Essex Valley Agricultural Development Project where work is under way and the Pedro Plains Irrigation Scheme where a feasibility study has been completed and financing is being actively pursued with the French government.

Additionally, loading bays are to be expanded by the NIC to include separate stations to accommodate smaller vans/trucks to reduce their turnaround time and cost.

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