Agriculture Ministry on Track with Hurricane Preparedness

Despite the downgrading of Gustav from a Category One Hurricane to a Tropical Storm, the Ministry of Agriculture is urging all farmers to take the necessary precautions to protect life and property.
In outlining the steps which the Ministry has taken to assist farmers to lessen the impact of the damage which might occur from flooding, Agriculture Minister, Dr. Tufton advised that since May of this year, a National Agricultural Disaster Risk Management Committee had been put in place and this committee had met with response organizations at the parish level to determine the sector’s level of preparedness and to take the necessary action to mitigate possible losses. According to Dr. Tufton, a number of drain cleaning exercises in flood-prone areas are now underway, as well as the pruning of trees that could pose potential threats to crops and property. In addition, the Minister is urging farmers in all the sub-sectors to contact their RADA Parish offices for Disaster Preparedness tips.
Given the level of losses usually sustained by poultry and livestock farmers, he stressed that those involved should make every effort to move their animals to higher ground; operators of greenhouses, he warned, should take the necessary steps to safeguard their infrastructure by removing plastic coverings and reaping mature produce. Thereafter, all plants should be laid flat on the ground within the frame of the greenhouse. In addition, he said all farm machinery and equipment should be safely stored to avoid contact with water.
Dr. Tufton also advised that the Agriculture Ministry was in dialogue with the Meteorological Services of Jamaica to determine the areas that are likely to be affected by flood waters, so that this information can be passed on to farmers.
Meanwhile, Executive Director of RADA, Al Powell, pointed out that damage assessment following the passage of the system will be conducted within three days. He also indicated that farm stores had already been alerted to stockpile seeds in the event that wide- scale replanting of domestic crops became necessary.