Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud and a team met with farmers of Buxton/Friendship on Tuesday to discuss the ministry’s plans to revitalise large-scale farming in the area by undertaking drainage and irrigation and road works.
Persaud, along with Region Four Chairman Clement Corlette, Neigh-bourhood Democratic Council Chairman Randolph Blair and other officials from the ministry engaged cane, non-traditional and livestock farmers at Buxton and nearby villages at the Buxton Market.
The ministry is involved in land-clearing projects in Buxton/Friendship communities which will enable farmers to return to the land, a Government Information Agency (GINA) press release said.
Because the lands have been abandoned for years and the area does not have a proper drainage system, it is prone to flooding and as such the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board opened seven contracts for major drainage works. The contracts will see the expediting of mechanical excavation of drainage canals in Friendship at east sideline at a cost of $9.1M; west sideline at a cost of $9.1M; and middle walk canal at a cost of $8.8M.
Plans are also in train to excavate canals in Buxton at east sideline at a cost of $9.1M, the west sideline drainage canal, at a cost of $8.8M and middle walk canal to the tune of $9.1M. In addition the revetment within the Buxton pump basin will be built at an approximate cost of $4M.
During interactions farmers said the clearing of canals is necessary. One cane farmer noted that he was forced to abandon his crop because the clogged canal made it difficult for the punt to traverse the area. Persaud also highlighted several other infrastructure works being expedited in the Buxton/ Friendship area including the construction of Abrams/Watson Street, Friendship and Middle Road, Buxton.
Read full article here: Large scale farming plans for Buxton-Friendship
