Over 2,819 hectares of damaged crops restored

More than 2,819 hectares of crops that were damaged by Hurricane Beryl and Tropical Storm Rafael have been restored.

Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Floyd Green, said approximately $182 million was spent procuring 27,579 units of assorted seeds that were distributed to farmers across Manchester, Clarendon, St Elizabeth, Westmoreland, Trelawny, St Catherine and St Ann.

He advised that focus was placed on crops such as cabbage, lettuce, sweet pepper, watermelon and tomato.

“We have restored 20 hectares of yam, eight hectares of cassava, 12 hectares of papaya [and] 16.5 hectares of hot pepper. In fact, $21 million was invested in some of those crops and we’ve distributed over 360 units of pesticides,” Green further informed.

He was speaking during the ministry’s quarterly press briefing on Wednesday.

The ministry also distributed 57,600 broiler chickens and 5,775 broiler rations, along with medications. In addition, 50,000 pullets for egg farmers were distributed.

Meanwhile, another $26 million was spent on critical materials such as lumber, zinc, mesh wire and nails to support farmers rebuilding their livestock facilities.

Green advised that as of December 16, the number of farmers directly benefiting under the recovery programme totalled more than 24,860.

He said these farmers, based in several key parishes, including St Elizabeth, Manchester, Clarendon and Westmoreland, received seeds, fertilisers and technical support to rebuild their farms and livelihoods.

“An additional 6,000 beneficiaries were supported through the efforts of the Jamaica Agricultural Commodities Regulatory Authority (JACRA), Banana Board and National Fisheries Authority (NFA). Therefore, over 30,000 farmers and fishers have received some benefit as a part of our Hurricane Beryl recovery efforts,” Green stated.