The Opposition has described as unacceptable, reports that the program implemented by government to assist small ganja farmers did not get off the ground in one of the chosen communities.

The revelation that the Alternative Development Programme for Cannabis Growers ended with the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, without achieving its target, came during Tuesday’s meeting of Parliament’s Public Administration and Appropriations Committee, PAAC.

Chief  Technical Director in the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, Michelle Parkins, said the project never got off the ground in Orange Hill, Westmoreland, one of two communities chosen for the pilot.

She said the ministry is looking to continue and expand, the programme later on,  taking the lessons learnt, into consideration.

In response, Opposition committee member Fitz Jackson, said its unacceptable that there is no progress for small farmers, who want to grow ganja.  He also said it’s unacceptable that the ministry did not ensure that the communities chosen, could meet all the requirements of the programme.