Westmoreland's agri production improves

WESTMORELAND PRODUCED 51,000 tonnes of crops from 2,860 hectares of land in the 2000/01 financial year, a three per cent increase in production over the previous year.

Westmoreland's parish agricultural manager at the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), Conrad Tharkur, said the increased production was influenced by good weather conditions and the provision of farm inputs under several government assisted programmes.

"The application of improved technology as it relates to cultural practices and the planting of better yielding varieties also reflected positively on production. Which is an indication that our farmers are now practising what they are taught through our numerous farm visits and training sessions," he said.

Some 250 farmers have received help in acquiring chickens, feed, fertiliser, tools and farm implements through the Social and Economic Support Programme (SESP). Another 431 farmers got fertilisers, seeds and help in preparing their lands, under the drought assistance programme.

Mr. Tharkur said the Westmoreland branch of RADA had set itself a target to establish 10 hectares of soursop under the Tree Crop Planting Project, but had been successful in planting only 7.6 hectares.

The goal was 10 hectares by the end of the first quarter of the financial year.

Under the Domestic Food Crop Programme, 76.4 hectares of crops, including dasheen, plantain, hot pepper, coco, pumpkin and sweet potato, were planted.

The RADA officer said crops valuing about $9 million have been reaped under the programme.

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