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RADA Assessing Damage in Trelawny

August 23, 2007

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The Trelawny branch of the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) is currently assessing the hurricane damage to crops in the parish, with the objective of helping farmers to replant.
“The agricultural sector, especially in the southern area, was most affected by Hurricane Dean. Our yam farmers and those farmers who cultivate plantains and bananas had tremendous problems,” Parish Manager for RADA, Donald Robinson told JIS News.
He informed that 25 per cent of Trelawny’s yam production was affected by the hurricane, pointing out that much damage was done to those yams between three and four months old.
“I have also received a report from two of our farmers who are involved in papaya production and they have estimated that some 10 hectares of papaya were seriously damaged and this could account for about 10 per cent of the papaya that is grown in the parish,” Mr. Robinson said.
He pointed out that about 500 to 600 acres of crops were affected, with a total value of $50 million.
Mr. Robinson noted that losses in livestock were not as severe as the damage to domestic crops.
“So far we have received reports pointing to a loss of approximately 3,000 broiler chickens and this was caused mainly by the high winds and some amount of rainfall. Some 20 goat farmers have reported losses also,” he said.
He pointed out that RADA officers were working assiduously to complete the damage assessments, and encouraged the farmers to speak to the extension officers in their area or visit the parish office in Falmouth to make their reports.

Last Updated: August 23, 2007

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