Minister of Agriculture, Lands, Forestry, Fisheries, Energy and Public Utilities Gregory Bowen has conducted two meetings with Extension Officers to discuss the operations and effectiveness of the newly implemented Agricultural Emergency Rehabilitation Project (AERP). The meetings, which took place on November 19 and 26 at the Produce Chemist Laboratory and Melville Street Fish Market Conference Room respectively, focused on concerns expressed by farmers, as well as the Extension Officers. Accompanied by Permanent Secretary Lana McPhail and Acting Chief Extension Officer Randolph Shears, Minister Bowen noted the importance of the AERP as part of the overall recovery process for the Nation and the urgency of having the Programme operate as efficiency as possible to ensure the revival of the agricultural sector. Some of the issues addressed included: Wages for workers to be determine by the farmers up to $45 per day. Extension Officers must certify the completion of the work on each farm. Payments to be made on a fortnightly basis to accommodate the administrative requirements. Minister Bowen advised the Extension Officers that additional staff will be hired to ensure that the Programme reaches as many bonefide farmers as possible. Minister Bowen also noted that the pay sheets make provisions for deducting wages from workers who received advanced payments directly from farmers. The AERP, which was implemented on November 1, has provided chainsaws, band saws, seeds and fertilizers to farmers. SOURCE: MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE