KINGSTON, Jamaica — People’s National Party (PNP) President Mark Golding on Monday promised support for farmers and taxi operators as he campaigned in Clarendon Northern alongside his party’s candidate Wavell Hinds.

Golding, speaking to residents on the tour, shared his plans for an Agricultural Development Fund, which he said would mirror the success of the Tourism Enhancement Fund in boosting Jamaica’s farming sector.

“The People’s National Party has a lot in store to support the farmers, to invest in farming. We’re going to be establishing the Agricultural Development Fund to do for agriculture what the Tourism Enhancement Fund did for tourism, to grow the industry substantially by supporting our farmers,” he said.

He explained that the fund would provide resources for land preparation, financing through People’s Cooperative (PC) banks, water systems and farm roads, all aimed at increasing local food production and exports.

During the tour, Golding also addressed taxi drivers, promising to ease the financial burden many face under the current traffic ticketing system.

“To all the taximen in Jamaica, I can assure you, under the PNP, you’ll get a fair deal,” Golding stated. “We’re going to review those traffic tickets…the level of fines too, especially for the kind of offences that taxi men are charged with because we know that can put you out of business, when you’re not bad people. You’re good people delivering good service to the people, service that Jamaica relies on.”

With the upcoming general election, Golding said, “We are not for sale. They may try to bring money and buy us, but we will not sell our vote, which is our birthright. Our ancestors shed blood and fire for that right to vote, and we will stand firm,” he told supporters.

Golding then turned to the PNP’s Clarendon Northern candidate, former West Indies cricketer Wavell Hinds, describing him as “a man who is highly regarded around the world as a negotiator for the rights of workers”.

Earlier in the tour, Hinds reminded residents of the road and water issues in the constituency, urging them to vote for the PNP if they wanted change.