By Lynford Simpson, Parliamentary Reporter
Residents rescue a woman (left) from the raging waters in Bull Bay last year. The floods were a huge blow to the agri sector. - File
ROGER CLARKE, Minister of Agriculture, has disclosed that government has spent a total of $32.471 million compensating farmers in all parishes except Kingston, who suffered losses during flood rains last year.
He also said there were no more funds available from government to compensate the farmers for their losses. However, funds are still being sought from international donor agencies.
The Minister who was responding to questions posed by J.C. Hutchinson, Opposition Spokesman on Agriculture and Member of Parliament for North West St. Elizabeth, said the bulk of the money ($5.513 million) was given to farmers in Clarendon.
Clarendon was one of the parishes hardest hit by a series of devastating floods last year. It was declared a disaster area by Prime Minister P.J. Patterson along with the St. Thomas, Manchester, St. Elizabeth and St. Catherine.
A breakdown of the figures show that $4.63 million was spent in Manchester; $4.52 million in St. Elizabeth; $3.61 million in Portland; $3 million in St. Thomas; and $2.7 million in St. Catherine. Farmers in St. James were only compensated to the tune of $956,494.
While no more funds will be provided from the government's coffers, Mr. Clarke said the ruling party was actively seeking funds from international donors.
"No additional funds are available from the government for flood damage relief," Mr. Clarke told the House.
He disclosed that the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations will provide grant funds of US$218,000 (J$11 million) to rehabilitate the productive capacity of 7,800 small farm families in the parishes of Portland, St. Mary, St. Ann, St. Catherine, Clarendon, Manchester, St. Elizabeth and St. Thomas.
