INTEGRATED REGIONAL RURAL DEVELOPMENT

PROJECT HAS 5 COMPONENTS: 1) EROSION CONTROL: A) SOIL CONSERVATION MEASURES, INCLUDING TERRACING, DITCHING, WATERWAYS, AND PASTURELAND ON 17,700 ACRES; B) FORESTATION ON 5,000 ACRES; AND C) ENGINEERING WORKS, INCLUDING 22 MILES OF ROAD CONSTRUCTION/REHABILITATION, AND RIVER AND STREAM CONTROL (CHECK DAMS AND EMBANKMENT PROTECTION). 2) DEMONSTRATION AND TRAINING CENTERS: 5 CENTERS WILL BE ESTABLISHED TO TEST AND DEMONSTRATE THE ADVANTAGES OF TERRACED FARMING AND OF MULTIPLE AND CONTINUOUS CROPPING TECHNIQUES. 50 SUBCENTERS, OWNED AND OPERATED BY NEARBY FARMERS, WILL FUNCTION AS PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS OF THE MODEL DEMONSTRATION CENTERS. 3) FARMER ORGANIZATIONS AND SERVICES: THE JAMAICAN AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY (LOCAL FARMER GROUPS) THE PEOPLE"S COOPERATIVE BANKS, AND COOPERATIVES IN THE PROJECT AREA WILL BE ENCOURAGED TO PROVIDE IMPROVED CREDIT, INPUTS, AND MARKETING SERVICES TO SMALL FARMER MEMBERS. THESE ORGANIZATIONS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, TRAINING, AND SEED CAPITAL. 4) AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION: TECHNICAL ADVISORS WILL TRAIN 20 AGENTS AND OTHER MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE PERSONNEL. THE AGENTS WILL PROMOTE THE PROJECT"S SOIL CONSERVATION MEASURES AND THE SERVICES OF THE FARMER ORGANIZATIONS AMONG AREA FARMERS. THEY WILL ALSO ADVISE FARMERS ON APPROPRIATE CULTIVATION TECHNIQUES, AND ON THE USE OF INPUTS, CREDIT, AND MARKETING SERVICES. 5) RURAL INFRASTRUCTURE: THE GOJ WILL FINANCE RURAL ELECTRIFICATION, POTABLE WATER, AND HOUSING CONSTRUCTION/REFURBISHING PROGRAMS IN THE PROJECT AREA. 30 JAMAICANS WILL RECEIVE UNDERGRADUATE AND GRADUATE TRAINING IN THE US IN VARIOUS FIELDS OF AGRICULTURE. PROJECT WILL BE IMPLEMENTED BY JAMAICA"S MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE - SOUTHERN REGION IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE FORESTRY DEPARTMENT AND THE MINISTRY OF PUBLIC WORKS. PROJECT ACTIVITIES WILL INCREASE EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN THE AREA.