Jamaica’s Rural Agricultural Development Authority has made clear that preliminary estimates of the losses suffered by livestock and crop farmers in St Ann, St Mary and Portland from the recent torrential rains have been put at $76,815,000.
Over the period January 31 to February 1, the agricultural sector was negatively impacted by flooding resulting in crop and livestock losses, damage to road infrastructure and loss of farm lands due to erosion and landslides.
Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Pearnel Charles Jr, said in a virtual press conference today that 551 farmers lost an estimated $76,815,000, with the damage to crops accounting for $74,884,600. The main crops affected were banana, plantain, vegetables, and tubers including cassava, Irish potato, dasheen and yam, as well as condiments and fruits. The damage was spread over 89 hectares of land occupied by 496 farmers.
Source: jamaica-gleaner.com