Farmers still receiving free irrigation water

The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining will continue to provide irrigation water to farmers across the island to alleviate drought conditions on farms, says portfolio minister Floyd Green.

He noted that approximately 110,000 gallons of water is being trucked per week, free of charge, with more than two million gallons supplied in August. Green said that the trucking is being facilitated by the National Irrigation Commission (NIC) with support from the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) and private truckers.

“The fact that we are now in drought, we have to put in our emergency systems. We have been tracking the water… free of cost to help them bring their crops to fruition,” he said. “We know it is a difficult time, but I want to assure the farmers that as much as possible, we are going to help.”