The chief role of the National Irrigation Commission Limited is to provide irrigation services to the agricultural sector. In addition to irrigation, water is made available to some industrial and commercial operations through some of its systems. NIC's main functions are:
To manage, operate, maintain and expand existing and future irrigation schemes and systems as may be established by the Gover
nment of Jamaica;
To provide drainage services in the "Black River area", that is, (a) that portion of the Black River including the banks thereof, from the sea to Lacovia Bridge; (b) the Upper Morass area; (c) the Y.S. River area; (d) the areas described in the Additional Areas (Parish of St. Elizabeth) Reclamation Order, 1953, published in the Jamaica Gazette Supplement Proclamations, Rules and Regulations on the 26th day of January, 1953; and (e) such other areas in the parish of St. Elizabeth as the Minister may, by order, specify for the purposes of Irrigation Act. To fix and collect the rates or charges and to be paid for the use of such water. Irrigation Areas and Schemes
NIC's operations are divided into three regions as follows:
Eastern Region: Yallahs, St. Catherine
Central Region: Mid-Clarendon; New Forest/Duff House, Manchester
Western Region: Braco, Trelawny; Hounslow and Beacon/Little Park, St. Elizabeth; Seven Rivers, St. James
The company operates ten irrigation schemes in five irrigated areas prescribed by the Irrigation Act