Farm Road Rehabilitation Project: A Boost for St. Elizabeth Farmers
The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining has been working tirelessly to improve the lives of farmers in St. Elizabeth. The latest initiative is the farm road rehabilitation project, which aims to provide a safer and more efficient means of transportation for farmers in the parish.
A New Era for St. Elizabeth Farmers
Dionne Blake, a farmer from Cornwall Top, is one of the beneficiaries of this project. She was presented with a donkey called "Prosperity" by Minister of State in the Ministry of Science, Energy, Telecommunications and Transport, Hon. J.C. Hutchinson. The donkey is expected to help her carry produce and other items to and from her farm.
"I can get up in the morning now put on my fancy slippers and my feet don’t get dirty. Before, I would have had to be dodging potholes and stones, and jumping all over the road, now I don’t have to do that," Ms. Blake said. "Now I can skip a little, and even run if I feel like it, because I have a nice road."
The Project’s Progress
The project is being implemented in two phases. The first phase, which was recently completed, saw the rehabilitation of a segment of the farm road in Cornwall Top. The second phase is expected to be completed soon. The project is being done under the National Farm Road Rehabilitation Programme, which aims to improve the infrastructure of farm roads across the island.
The Impact of the Project
The rehabilitation of the farm road has made a significant impact on Ms. Blake’s daily life. She no longer has to worry about the condition of the road, which means she can focus on her agricultural activities. "Thank you for ensuring that me and my family have better road conditions and for making sure that my younger children can come up and enjoy the road as well. The other children that are going out in the mornings, I know that they are so happy to know that when they get ready for school, they can go out with the assurance that they will not get muddy," she said.
Minister’s Commendation
Minister Green commended Ms. Blake for her persistence, noting that the roadway was earmarked for rehabilitation prior to her bringing the matter to national attention. "Sometimes, we have an opportunity and we allow it to pass. I remember the story quite well, how far Dionne came from just to speak to the Prime Minister and to say to the Prime Minister that this is what she needs. She never asked for more than she needed, she asked for exactly what she needed to help her in her agricultural enterprise," he said.
Conclusion
The farm road rehabilitation project is a testament to the government’s commitment to improving the lives of farmers in St. Elizabeth. The project is expected to benefit the entire community, providing a safer and more efficient means of transportation for farmers.
FAQs
Q: What is the purpose of the farm road rehabilitation project?
A: The project aims to improve the infrastructure of farm roads across the island, providing a safer and more efficient means of transportation for farmers.
Q: Who is the target audience for the project?
A: The target audience is farmers in St. Elizabeth, particularly in the parish of Cornwall Top.
Q: What is the scope of the project?
A: The project is being implemented in two phases, with the first phase recently completed and the second phase expected to be completed soon.
Q: What is the budget for the project?
A: More than $800 million has been allocated to rehabilitate 61 farm roads across the island over the next year.
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