Damage to infrastructure hampers farmers

President of the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS), Senator Norman Grant, said while most crops were spared during the passage of Gustav, the damage to infrastructure could significantly affect farmers.



Though banana farmers in eastern parishes experienced significant loss, farmers in parishes like St. Elizabeth and Trelawny said they had been minimally affected.



Senator Grant said many farms, particularly those in the hills of St. Andrew could have further losses as they, have been cut off because of the damage to the island’s road network.



Senator Grant wants the government to move quickly to restore road access to these farms.



He said the road damage is also hampering efforts by the JAS to assess the level of losses suffered by coffee farmers.



Senator Grant said the board of the JAS would be meeting on Wednesday, to discuss the damage and devise recommendations for moving the agriculture sector forward.