Farmers at the Goldsborough Agricultural Estate have faced major challenges because of a lack of water. Throughout the rainy season, low levels of rainfall have caused the Water and Sewerage Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (WASA) to implement schedules across Tobago. Households are not the only ones to be affected by the water shortage.

The Goldsborough Agricultural Estate is one of the island’s most industrious farming estates and access to water for irrigation has been a challenge for farmers.

“There isn’t a sufficient water supply coming from our state institution WASA,” Secretary of the Division of Agriculture, Marine Affairs, Marketing and the Environment Godwin Adams said.

“However investigations have shown that an active river course passes through the estate, and if tapped, should provide the necessary supplemental water for adequate use by the farmers.”

The Secretary sees an added benefit to this new source, as the natural water contains no chlorine or other such chemicals, which would be better for the crops.

“As a result of that we expect that the agro industry that is on our island will flourish and the Division of Agriculture Marine Affairs, Marketing and the Environment has decided that in order to bring some opportunities of water supply to the farmers in the area, we will establish two irrigation pumps housed in the vicinity and a connection of robust network of irrigation lines to assist the farmers in that area,” Adams said during the weekly Post Executive Council media briefing.

The Secretary said the irrigation pumps will also minimise the loss of produce during the dry season, which will help the island attain food security even faster.

The irrigation system will cost the Division approximately $10.5 million.