A promise of access to heavy-duty equipment and tools at reduced costs, as well as proper roads, have been made to farmers by Agriculture Minister Karl Samuda.

“We have to assist by providing you with modern equipment to be used on your farms. That way you can go much faster and produce better crops without a debt over your head,” Samuda, who also has responsibility for industry, commerce, and fisheries, said in response to a question from a farmer attending the Jamaica Agricultural Society’s (JAS’s) 121st Annual General Meeting at Denbigh Showground in Clarendon on Wednesday.

Under the initiative, small tools will be available for use for free. Minister Samuda and JAS President Senator Norman Grant are to meet to finalise the details.

More than 400 farmers from communities across the island attended the meeting, at which the minister also assured that the Government is taking steps to ensure that the farmers have proper roads to transport their goods.

According to Minister Samuda, all road contracts that were approved prior to the Government taking office in February this year will be completed. He also said he has ordered an assessment of farm roads to ensure that the worst ones are addressed.

“Through the help of the JAS and RADA (Rural Agricultural Development Authority), which will go and survey and give us an accurate account of those roads that are now worse off, we will try our best to bring a remedy to most of those roads that are causing you grief,” he said, adding that more than $200 million will be spent on upgrading farm roads this year.