Heavy rains cost agriculture sector $800 million

Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries Karl Samuda is reporting that the heavy rains in mid-May resulted in close to $800 million in damages to the agriculture sector.

Samuda said more than 10,000 farmers were affected, with losses amounting to an estimated $794 million.

Approximately 8,862 farmers suffered crop losses of $718,006,202, while more than 1,400 farmers suffered livestock losses of an estimated $76,202,000.

A previous report of $522,000,000 reflected a preliminary estimate of the damage to the sector.

Teams from the Rural Agricultural Development Authority are still on the ground conducting damage assessments as more areas become accessible.

Logistics are also in place for agricultural inputs to be distributed to affected farmers on an equitable basis.