Robert Montague (left), state minister with responsibility for local government, receives the councillor's handbook from Councillor Lee Clarke, deputy mayor and chairman of the Councillor's Handbook Committee, during the official launch of Local Government Month at Jamaica House yesterday. - Peta-Gaye Clachar/Photographer

A fund is now available for infirmaries across the island, which allows each resident a maximum of $200,000 to participate in his or her own farming activities.

According to Robert Montague, state minister with responsibility for local government, the provision of the fund could reduce costs, act as rehabilitation for the elderly, and contribute to nation building.

"I am of the view that the residents can be made to work as a means of rehabilitation as they help to feed themselves," he noted at the official launch of Local Government Month at Jamaica House yesterday.

Montague said the councillors should make use of the opportunity by applying for the fund, but must first go to the Rural Agricultural Development Authority.

The farming authority is expected to guide the infirmaries about best practices before funding can be dispensed.

Sustainable programme

"We want it to be a sustainable programme, we don't want this month you have a lot of callaloo and next month you don't have any, or this month you have a lot of eggs and next month you don't have any," said Montague.

The state minister also said local government was trying to cut energy costs at infirmaries as well.

"We are moving to a programme of installing solar-water heaters within our infirmaries and, where applicable, windmills, so that we can bring down the cost of energy and save some money, as that money can be used for other things," Montague declared.

Local Government Month's activities include town hall meetings, an appreciation service, a roll exchange exercise as well as various school visits.

The state minister said the idea of having a month of events was to highlight the activities of local government, in an effort to increase the awareness of the work that the department had been doing.

nadisha.hunter@gleanerjm.com