PNP’s Newell launches agricultural programme in St Mary

Omar Newell, deputy shadow minister of trade, investments and global logistics and member of parliament candidate for Central St Mary, has launched an agriculture programme in Port Maria, St Mary.

In a release, Newell says the pilot project in Farmers Heights will unlock the sector’s potential for growth, and tackle longstanding challenges which the local farmers that face.

“Conversations with farmers revealed clear barriers to success, including high upfront costs for land preparation, limited post-harvest storage, and restricted market access,” said Newell.

“This project is designed to address these challenges head-on, allowing our farmers to focus on what they do best: farming,” he added.

The initiative is undertaken in collaboration with prominent businessman Noel Reid, who has heavily subsidised equipment he provides to the sector, and along with local companies that have committed to offering storage solutions and have guaranteed purchase arrangements.

The programme begins with over a dozen Irish potato and watermelon farmers on land previously allocated through project Land Lease in the 1970s.

Both Member of Parliament for the constituency, Dr Morais Guy, and shadow minister for agriculture, Dr Dayton Campbell, have hailed the aspiring MP’s initiative.

“Omar’s initiative represents a meaningful step forward in empowering our farmers and enhancing agricultural productivity in Farmers’ Heights and beyond. I stand ready to support the growth of agriculture across the constituency,” Guy stated.

Campbell said: “This is precisely the kind of targeted intervention the PNP seeks to expand nationally. Agriculture is a vital engine of economic growth, and initiatives like this show how thoughtful support can empower farmers and strengthen our economy.”

Newell said the support for local agriculture aligns with the PNP’s broader vision for national development. He said moving forward, agricultural outputs will be aligned with market needs, something already being worked on.

“In the coming months, we’ll introduce livestock and explore how agriculture can drive value-added production and job creation as part of a broader industrial policy,” Newell stated.

Newell has declared that agriculture is the cornerstone to his economic vision for the constituency. He said the programme is the first step in his mission to revitalise agriculture, thus creating sustain-able economic opportunities for the people of Central St Mary.