MANDEVILLE, Manchester — Bauxite/alumina company JISCO Alpart Jamaica is moving to assist farmers in its mining areas in Manchester, according to a news release circulated here.

The release said a partnership with the Manchester Plateau Community Council and the Alpart Community Council, through its business arm Essex Valley Community & Associates, is assisting 165 farmers with an agricultural stimulus programme worth $1 million.

The support for farmers “is in the form of fertilisers, seeds, broiler chicks, feeds, weedicides, pesticides, among other farming-related material”.

JISCO Alpart said the programme is in its second year. Last year the value of the sponsorship was $660,000.

“JISCO Alpart Jamaica will assess the programme and make improvements, as the company recognises the importance of agriculture in its plateau mining Area,” the release said.

It said operations in the Manchester Plateau mining area cover 32 communities, which are heavily dependent on agriculture. The company said it also supports agriculture through the Rose Hill Water Project with 19 greenhouses which are currently in production. This is in partnership with the Jamaica Bauxite Institute and the Jamaica Social Investment Fund through its World Bank-funded Rural Economic Development Initiative.

“In addition, a demonstration plot for Irish potatoes was recently installed alongside the Rose Hill water project, which should see 22 additional farmers benefiting. This is being done in partnership with the Rural Agricultural Development Authority,” JISCO Alpart release said.