Marriaqua Farmers form new Association

A new farmers group dubbed “the Marriaqua Farmers Association” was formed on Tuesday 23rd June, at the Dumbarton Agricultural Station.{{more}}

The group was formed approximately 3 months after a series of meetings of planning and strategizing by a number of farmers from the Marriaqua Valley and the surrounding villages.

According to Noble Davis, a farmer of over 30 years and Chairman of the Steering Committee, the farmers got together because of a number of issues that are affecting their investments and concerns regarding the future of agricultural production in the area, that is still regarded as the bread basket of the nation.

Some of the major problems affecting the efforts of the farmers, many of whom are making adjustments to the change over from banana production to alternative crops, include: a lack of vegetable seedlings at quantities required; the rising costs of farm inputs; price fluctuation of produce which affects marketing and consumption patterns of villagers; lack of markets and organized marketing for crops produced; concerns regarding the apparent lack of interest of the younger generation in investing in agriculture; the need to provide guidance to those who lack knowledge and information for the production of crops and livestock in an organized way.

The Marriaqua Farmers Association is now being accommodated at the Dumbarton Agricultural Station where interested farmers have been invited to seek further information on becoming a member.

The Marriaqua Farmers Association is being assisted through the Agricultural Extension and Advisory Services of the Ministry of Agriculture, by Officer Allan Williams.