$4.4 billion will be spent on irrigation this year, as the Agriculture Ministry seeks to mitigate the effects of the drought.

Portfolio Minister, Pearnel Charles Jr made the revelation during a press conference in Kingston, this morning (March 8).

Noting that Jamaica is experiencing a meteorological drought, Mr. Charles Jr said he is concerned it will become an agricultural drought.

He said as a result, drought mitigation efforts are being ramped up. These include trucking water to affected areas and building out an effective irrigation system, valued at over $4 billion.