Large plots of agricultural land are currently uncultivated in Anguilla due to difficulties with ploughing services — but this is about to change.
A new tractor has been ordered, and the problematic tractors at the Department of Agriculture are being reconditioned to be available to farmers around the island.
This matter was put into perspective by the Minister of Economic Development and Natural Resources, Mr. Kyle Hodge. He told The Anguillian newspaper: “I am very happy that a new tractor is on its way to Anguilla. It has been a long time in coming as I think it was supposed to be here before Covid-19.
“The Ministry of Agriculture has made it possible to purchase a tractor and it will be here in a short time. In recent times there has been a lot more interest in farming so there was a need for a new tractor. We should shortly have three fully-operational tractors, and we are implementing new policies relating to the management of these tractors.”
One of the policies is to require farmers to pay increased rates for ploughing as the present fees are not only considered to be low, but uneconomical in these times of costly operations and the maintenance of equipment.
