The National Irrigation Commission Limited (NIC) is rolling out several infrastructure projects aimed at increasing access to reliable water for farmers while strengthening agricultural production and food security across Jamaica.
Director of Engineering and Technical Services at the NIC, Rohan Stewart, said the Commission is actively drilling new wells to identify and develop additional water sources that will support irrigation expansion.
“We’re doing this to improve our water production and better support our customers. Before developing an irrigation system, we must first determine how much water is available, then design systems that can meet farmers’ needs,” Stewart explained during a recent JIS ‘Think Tank’.
Among the major initiatives underway are the Pedro Plains Irrigation Expansion Project in St. Elizabeth, the Lower Leyton Agricultural Development Project in Portland, and the Hinds Town Agricultural Development Project in St. Ann.
The NIC is also expanding existing irrigation networks in Clarendon, including the Freetown area and Fall Basket Road in Rhymesbury, where more farmers will soon gain access to a reliable water supply.
“There are already farmers in these areas. What they need is a dependable water supply, and that’s exactly what we intend to provide,” Stewart said.
He noted that the projects form part of the Commission’s broader strategy to improve climate resilience while safeguarding Jamaica’s agricultural sector and food security.
In St. Elizabeth, the NIC also continues to maintain approximately 157 kilometres of drainage channels across Upper and Lower Morass, Santa Cruz and Holland. The Commission is acquiring additional equipment to improve drain maintenance, ensuring farmland remains productive.
Stewart stressed that properly maintained drainage systems are essential to keeping water levels under control and allowing farming activities to continue without disruption
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