AS the COVID-19 pandemic hits all aspects of daily life, young Manchester farmer Andra Wynter is rueing what he says is the Jamaica Government's sidestepping of farmers in its offer to assist significant sectors of the economy.
“Some of us just got around to registering our businesses so we are not yet a year in taxes so we didn't qualify for a more suitable package, and this is a bit disappointing,” Wynter said in explaining why many farmers were unable to claim compassionate grants.
After COVID-19 restrictions took effect in March, farmers, especially those in the 'bread basket' St Elizabeth, saw the market they depended on in the hotels evaporate as the tourism sector shut its doors.
Wynter plants Irish and sweet potatoes, tomatoes, sweet pepper and broccoli at his farm in Grove Place, Manchester, and is one of the select farmers in the 4H young farmers project – the Rural Youth Economic Empowerment Programme (RYEEP).
He was one four young farmers who this year received a gasoline-operated tiller machine from the Jamaica 4H Clubs under the RYEEP.
