Ministry of Information, Culture, Youth & Sports

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The establishment of an agricultural plot behind the Guys Hill market in St. Catherine is the parish project for Labour Day (May 23), being observed under the theme: "Eat what we Grow.Grow what we eat."

Director of Administration, St. Catherine Parish Council, Shirleen Greenland told JIS News that the project is among 135 registered so far in the parish.
"We will be planting breadfruit, sweet peppers, tomatoes, cabbage and cucumbers and ackee trees," she informed.

The Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) will provide seedlings and technical advice, and according to Mrs. Greenland, the project would receive financial assistance from the St. Catherine Co-operative Credit Union. "They have given us a commitment that they are coming on board," she said.

Mrs. Greenland said the agricultural plot, which is owned by the Council, would be maintained by a resident farmer, who has a formal agreement with the Parish Council to provide a "certain percentage" of the crops reaped from the farm to the St. Catherine Infirmary.

She pointed out that most of the projects registered involve the development of gardens and the planting of trees, while others include the painting of community signs and pedestrian crossings, the cleaning of drains, and the clearing of debris in and around communities.

"So far we have gotten some 300 plants from RADA through the Social Development Commission," she said. Additionally, she noted that the Forestry Department has donated some 200 flowering plants and ornamental trees.

Mrs. Greenland explained that the Labour Day Secretariat has allocated some $100,000 to carry out the projects, while additional funding will be provided by the St. Catherine Parish Council to purchase paint, paint brushes, and other items required by the volunteers.

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