Agricultural Project Launched For Former Monymusk Workers

The Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries on Thursday (February 20) launched the agricultural component of a socio-economic programme designed to assist former sugar workers of the Clarendon-based Monymusk Sugar Factory. The project, a collaborative effort with the Ministry, the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), the National Irrigation Commission Limited, the Agro-Investment Corporation and the HEART Trust/NTSA, was launched in keeping with the Government’s plans to provide them with an alternative means of livelihood. Addressing the launch of the project in Hermitage in the parish, Minister of State in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Floyd Green, said an enterprise team is expected to deliver a report at the end of March on expressions of interest into the operations of the Monymusk Sugar Factory. “Based on the findings, at least one or two of those expressions of interests sounds like they want to explore sugar and the value-added process and we expect that the enterprise team will tell us which areas the government is looking to pursue and the way forward,” he said. A total of 15 displaced sugar workers are to benefit under the first phase of the project, which is aimed at subdividing 164 acres of land into smaller tracts of land, between two and five acres, to grow crops. Meanwhile, Mr. Green reiterated that an Agricultural Assistant Programme will be introduced, which will see a community member receiving training in agricultural practices and working closely with farmers and extension officers from the RADA. He noted that an agricultural assistant will also be placed in the area to assist the farmers. Mr. Green also pointed out that the capacity of the Praedial Larceny Prevention Coordination Unit of the Ministry will be strengthened with the addition of 30 district constables. Agricultural wardens are also to be introduced. These are persons from the community and are empowered under various agricultural acts to police certain areas. -30-