A memorandum of understanding has been signed for the development of a solar project that will provide power to the irrigation system at the Monymusk Sugar Estate in Clarendon.

The signing took place between the Sugar Company of Jamaica Holdings Limited and BMR Energy LLC in New Kingston, yesterday.

Agriculture Minister Karl Samuda says implementation of the system will assist in providing a reliable flow of water to the crops and reduce the company’s energy cost.

He notes that the system will provide 50 per cent of the requirement for irrigation.

Samuda says once this succeeds, it will be extended to 100 per cent.

He says the aim is to increase the acreage under cultivation from approximately 3,000 hectares to about 7,500 hectares.