Clive Bryan, Gleaner Writer

Some 90 small farms throughout Jamaica are being provided with reliable water sources under the Rural Agricultural Development Authority's (RADA) small-scale irrigation programme.

These farms, covering 56.4 hectares (about 140 acres), are spread across nine parishes. Head of the Irrigation Unit at RADA, Clover La Guerre, says that the irrigation systems boast the latest technology.

"The provision of reliable water supplies for farms is a key element in the drive to improve and expand production. This latest batch is being implemented at a cost of just over $2.5 million," she explains.

Several of these irrigation systems have already been completed at a cost of $500,000 for 14 farms covering just over 15 hectares (40 acres) in Westmoreland, St. Elizabeth, Manchester, Clarendon, St. Catherine, St. Thomas, Portland and St. Mary.

Reservoirs

The irrigation specialist says the construction of three reservoirs, costing $340,000 to serve 42 farms of 34 hectares (84 acres) at Johns Vale and Mason River, Clarendon, was currently in progress.

Another $1.7 million is being spent to construct more small-scale irrigation systems to serve 34 farms, covering 7.1 hectares (17.5 acres). All the farms produce food crops for both the domestic and export markets.

Ms. La Guerre says RADA is placing a lot of emphasis on irrigation to improve food security and at the same time help improve living standards in the various communities.