RADA: Damage to Agriculture Sector being Assessed

The Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) is now assessing the extent of damage caused by Tropical Storm Grace and its impact on the agriculture sector. The storm, which passed on Tuesday, August 17, lashed the island with heavy rains and strong winds.

Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Floyd Green says the Ministry has sent teams from RADA across the island to meet with the farmers to see the sort of damage and their severity.

The Minister notes that there have been preliminary reports of damage in parishes like St. Mary, Portland, and the central part of the country. Specifically in Portland damages caused by strong winds could also be seen in the Buff Bay area. However, he says the Ministry is still waiting to quantify some of those estimates of damage.

Minister Green says stakeholders are concerned about the damage to the banana sector as a result of the high wind that came with the system.

Green notes that he has had a discussion with the Jamaica Producers and the Member of Parliament for Southeast St. Mary, which has a significant banana growers population, on August 18. He noted that there will be a clearer report in short order after the damage is fully assessed.