Agriculture ministry allocates $15 million to NWA

The agriculture ministry said it has allocated $15 million to the National Works Agency (NWA) to assist in the rehabilitation of several farms roads damaged during Tropical Storm Gustav.

The ministry said it has been collaborating with the works agency and parish councils for special focus to be placed on drain cleaning, waterways and clearing of roads particularly in the coffee growing areas of St. Thomas, Portland and St. Andrew.



The ministry said the allocation was made to the NWA to rent equipment in an effort to fast track the work.



The ministry said it would be distributing cutlasses and files to assist with reaping and cutting back broken plants.



The ministry said losses to crops and livestock has been estimated at $1.6 billion.



It said approximately 2,700 hectares of domestic food crops including vegetables, fruits and ground provisions were affected during the storm.



The ministry said that damage has been estimated at $538 million. It is also fast-tracking the release of $188 million in supplies to banana farmers, as part of a European Union Grant to the sector.



It said the supplies would assist in the rehabilitation of damaged fields to allow for reaping within seven to eight months.