By Kimone Witter
It has been disclosed that the Modernisation of Agriculture Sector Programme, which had been expected to finally start in 2021, is being revamped.
The issue was raised by Member of Parliament for St. Ann South Eastern, Lisa Hanna, during Wednesday's meeting of Parliament's Public Administration and Appropriations Committee, which discussed the Third Supplementary Estimates tabled in the House of Representatives on Tuesday.
Ms Hanna questioned the $150 million cut in the budget that had been allocated for the programme.
Financial Secretary Darlene Morrison explained that the budget was cut since the programme has not yet started and is being reformulated by the Ministry of Agriculture.
But Ms Hanna expressed frustration that the government does not seem to be committed to the reform of the agriculture sector.
She said she is angry because farmers in her constituency and across the island need help.
"Agriculture is one of the few industries that we have a global competitive advantage in," she asserted, insisting that despite this, farmers have consistently been shown "scant regard".
With the third supplementary estimates, the government is seeking to spend an additional $24.5 billion which would move the budget for this fiscal year to $998.2 billion.
