Clive Bryan, Gleaner Writer
MORANT, Clarendon:
All farmers on the 120-acre Morant property in Clarendon now have access to an adequate supply of water for farming.
This farming community is now buzzing with activity as farmers prepare to take advantage of a new irrigation system supplying water from the Morant River.
This small-scale irrigation system is one of four being installed by the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) at Morant; Spring Garden, Portland; Vineyard, St. Catherine and on four acres of mined out bauxite lands in St. Ann.
The project is funded to the tune of $16.28 million by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO). These systems will take farm water directly to 65 farms covering 85 acres.
The system at Morant is coming on stream just around the time of the onset of a dry period. It is driven by a diesel pump and plastic pipes are used to transport the water to the farms.
LATEST TECHNOLOGY
Head of the Irrigation Unit at RADA, Clover LaGuerre says the small scale irrigation projects will use the latest technology in irrigation to improve food security and living standards in the targeted communities.
With the irrigation system in place, it means that the farmers no longer have to depend on rainfall; and so are in a better position to avoid crop failure in periods of drought.
Ms. LaGuerre points out that the project at Morant will serve about 40 farmers on 40 acres of land, but says the new system is capable of serving the entire 120 acres on the property. All farmers on the Morant property now have access to adequate water.
They have also been provided with a tractor, plough, harrow and bed shaper as well as with planting materials, fertiliser and chemicals. The farmers produce vegetables and some amount of orchard crops.
RADA, which is providing technical assistance to the farmers involved in the programme, will be providing training in leadership, crop production, pest and disease management, cost production, post-harvest handling, principles of irrigation operation and small equipment maintenance.
