Marlene McPherson, Gleaner Writer
George Douglas. - PHOTO BY MARLENE MCPHERSON
St. Thomas:
THE LACK of a regular water supply has got George Douglas vocal in advocating for the commodity in the farming community of Albion, St. Thomas. As the president for the west Albion branch of the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS) since 2002, he continues to agitate for changes.
This farmer started 13 years ago producing sorrel, East Indian mangoes, cash crops, bananas, hybrid ackee and rearing a few goats. The hybrid ackees grow in abundance on the farm which, Mr. Douglas informed, started producing after two years of growth.
But while the farmer has achieved some success, one of his major problems is sourcing a continuous supply of water. He lamented that to pay water bill every month will 'not work out' and pointed out that the water canal connection from Norris to Albion has been destroyed. He reasoned that there is hope, however, as the canal was being worked on now and he anticipates that it will be in a working condition by April.
OTHER PROBLEMS
Recently, Mr. Douglas said he received a tank which holds 1,000 gallons of water and a drip hose from the Domestic Food Crop programme being administered by the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), which he is in the process of setting up.
Mr. Douglas pointed out that the issue of praedial larceny and the need for better marketing of goods were the other problems affecting farming. He also took issue with the 'Buy Jamaica. Eat Jamaica' campaign.
"Buy Jamaica campaign is a good programme, but it makes no sense for this programme if the market is flooded with imports," he charged. "I am glad that plans are in place to help farmers with praedial larceny," said Mr. Douglas.
