THE?AGRICULTURAL?INCENTIVE?PROGRAMME has distributed over $1/2 millions to applicants, while 28 farmers are also driving duty-free vehicles because of the programme introduced during the 2010-2011 financial year.
Areas in which the farmers qualified include cotton, livestock and pasture development, farm security, retooling fishing, organic farming, poultry and livestock industries.
This was revealed by Charleston Lucas, acting deputy chief agricultural officer – Livestock Extention – during a prize-giving and awards ceremony for 4-H Clubs at the Sir Hugh Springer Auditorium recently.
Lucas, standing in for Minister of Agriculture Dr David Estwick said agriculture was being placed on a more competitive and sustainable path that would be attractive to the youth.
Predial larceny was again highlighted as a problem facing “stakeholders” in the sector, and to help in identifying legitimate producers, the Ministry of Agriculture implemented a comprehensive Farmers Registration Programme. This has also resulted in 350 farmers being registered during the financial year 2010-2011.
“Once the authentic farmers are recognised by the buyers, then it should be difficult for non-registered farmers to conduct business, thereby allowing the farmers to reap the rewards of their labour,” said Lucas. (JS)
