For Immediate Release
Bahamas Information Services

Andros farm road progresses

April 12, 2010

A three-mile road being constructed by Bahamas Agricultural and Industrial Corporation (BAIC) in South Andros has reached the thousands of acres of prime farm land. Executive chairman Edison Key and a high-level  team on Monday inspected progress of the work being undertaken by Driggs Hill Machineries.

“I am happy with the progress being made,” he said. “When completed, this should open up a new world for South Andros in food production.” Mr Key was accompanied by general manager Benjamin Rahming, assistant general managers Arnold Dorsett (agriculture), Judith Thompson (land) and Donnalee Bowe (handicraft), and Ministry of Works civil engineer Walter McKinney.

As is being done in North Andros, Abaco and Eleuthera, BAIC wants to lay out plots of farm land in South Andros and lease them out to Bahamians as part of the government’s food security thrust. Contractor Wayde Forbes told of challenges negotiating a 70-foot hill on the edge of the pine land.

“It is going to take a lot more work and machinery than we anticipated,” agreed Mr Key. “We have requested additional funding. “Once the road (which starts in Duncombe’s Coppice) is completed it will open up new opportunities in South Andros in agriculture, timber and water.”