$145-m drought-mitigation plan

WITH meteorologists warning that higher temperatures and possible droughts are likely in the coming months because of the El Niño weather phenomenon, the Government is allocating $145 million to augment water catchment systems across the island.

Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining Floyd Green made the announcement Wednesday in the House of Representatives during his contribution to the 2026/27 Sectoral Debate.

He told the House that the Rural Agricultural Development Authority will intensify its drought-mitigation strategy during the financial year, adding that “we are going to be embarking on a $145-million mini-water catchment pond construction programme”.

“What this means is that in high-production zones, we’re going to be building out water catchment ponds and we’re targeting those parishes that are known for drought,” Green said.

In addition to the catchment tanks, he said the trucking of water will be utilised where needed. In this regard, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining will be purchasing an additional two water trucks for the National Irrigation Commission to service underserved areas.

Additionally, the ministry will be looking to rehabilitate catchment ponds and tanks and will also be distributing plastic and grass mulch because, according to Green, “we also have to change our planting patterns so that people are keeping the moisture in the soil”.

Farmers in the bread basket parish of St Elizabeth who have faced severe water shortages over the years have come to rely on mulching to keep their crops green during periods of drought.

Green said his ministry will also be providing drip irrigation systems and water tanks to affected farmers. He said his ministry has already started rolling out these interventions and that Members of Parliament will each be given an allocation to assist their farmers to cope with the oncoming drought.

“We want to start now before it is too late,” he remarked.

The minister told the House that addressing the drought was just part of the problem.

“Where will the water of the future come from? Yes, we’re in the land of wood and water, but water is always in demand and that is why the National Irrigation Commission will start this year to truly explore non-traditional water sources,” he said. “We’re going to be looking at desalination facilities to use that to provide irrigated water for our farmers. We’re also going to be looking at grey water-based technologies as we drive our long-term water resilience.“

As it relates to irrigation, Green said 6,000 hectares have been earmarked to be built out over the next five years, bringing Jamaica to over 50 per cent of arable land that has water. The latest projects include the Pedro Plains Irrigation Expansion System which will bring 4,000 hectares onboard, and four smaller projects that will serve 2,000 hectares.

“I want to assure the farmers in Essex Valley that we will be turning on their irrigation supply before the end of 2026,” Green boasted. He said the Hamity Hall and Bridge Pen System will also be turned on by the second quarter of 2027. He concluded, “We’re building a better Jamaica through irrigation.”

In this file photo, rows of tomatoes and peppers planted in a greenhouse are affected by drought-like conditions in Walkerswood, St Ann.

In this file photo, scotch bonnet peppers hang from a plant severely affected by drought-like conditions in St Ann.

GREEN…we’re going to be building out water catchment ponds and we’re targeting those parishes that are known for drought.