Agricultural Output Grows for 6th Consecutive Quarter

Minister with responsibility for Information, Hon Daryl Vaz, reports that the agricultural sector recorded its sixth consecutive quarter of growth, October- December, 2009.
Mr. Vaz noted the achievement as particularly significant, as the island was under persistent drought conditions for several months.
The Minister, who was updating journalists on matters considered by Cabinet during its March 8 meeting, said that areas of outstanding performance were – condiments, which grew by 63%; vegetables, by 40.6%; cereals, by 32.4%; yams, by 26.7%; and potatoes, by 23.5%.
All parishes recorded expansion in production for the quarter, with the leading parishes being – Portland, 160.9%; St Mary 92.1% and St Thomas 69%.
Overall the sector grew by 13% over the last quarter of 2009 while domestic crop production for the entire year increased by 22.4%.