Gov't to provide funds to registered farmers affected by recent rains

Registered farmers affected by the recent heavy rains which caused flooding in sections of the country are to receive assistance from the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA).

The estimated value of the losses arising from the heavy showers is $76.7 million.

In a statement to Parliament this afternoon, Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries Audley Shaw said his ministry would allocate one million  dollars to each rural constituency and $600,000 to urban constituencies to assist registered farmers.

Members of Parliament and RADA have been tasked to disburse the funds.

Shaw said the heavy rains impacted 136.9 hectares of farmlands with an estimated 1,520 tonnes of produce lost.

The parishes that were impacted most were St Andrew, Clarendon, St Ann, St Catherine, St Thomas, St Elizabeth, Manchester and Westmoreland.

Meanwhile, State Minister with responsibility for the National Works Agency Everald Warmington stated that the Government would allocate funds for drain cleaning ahead of the upcoming hurricane season.

The 2018 hurricane season begins on June 1.

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