Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Hon. Floyd Green makes a statement in the House of Representatives on Tuesday (July 16).

July 19 (JIS)

Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Hon. Floyd Green, says assessments indicate that the agriculture sector incurred losses totalling $4.73 billion from the Hurricane Beryl’s passage.

Making a statement in the House of Representatives on Tuesday (July 16), Mr. Green said the assessments indicate that 48,852 farmers have been impacted.

He added that approximately 23,040 hectares of farmland have been affected, noting that the sector also suffered the loss of 323,412 animals, including small ruminants, poultry and cattle.

“The hurricane’s wrath spared little in its path. Domestic crops saw us losing approximately 18,700 hectares of our vegetable lines, with damage estimated at about $1.95 billion affecting 40,000 farmers. Crops that were most significantly impacted include sweet pepper, tomato, lettuce, cabbage and carrots, and vine crops like melon [and] cantaloupe suffered a significant blow,” the Minister said.

Mr. Green informed the House that banana and plantain crops, covering 1,780 hectares and estimated at about $385 million, were also affected, with 1,640 farmers being impacted.

“Fruit trees suffered a heavy blow; 890 hectares of fruit trees have suffered damage, most of them were completely lost, estimated at $337 million [and] affecting 1,470 farmers. Tuber crops [such as] yams [and] cassava, covering 1,670 hectares, have been lost, impacting 1,120 farmers and estimated at $524 million,” he said.

Mr. Green noted that small poultry farmers were severely hit, with 43,000 layer birds and 278,000 broilers being lost, amounting to more than $200 million.

Additionally, he said 980 small ruminants, 514 pigs and 278 cattle were lost, pointing out that damage is estimated at over $100 million.

Mr. Green pointed out that 640 bee colonies, amounting to over $12 million in losses, were impacted by the hurricane’s passage.

He further stated that 236 greenhouse structures, covering 688,000 square feet, were destroyed at an estimated cost of $856 million.

Mr. Green said 62 kilometers of farm roads have been damaged, with cost for repairs totalling $165 million. He added that farm buildings also sustained damage, with repairs estimated to cost $85 million.

“Irrigation systems, covering 35 hectares have been damaged [at an] estimated cost of $35 million. Damage to the NIC’s irrigation network infrastructure, including broken mains and, unfortunately, significant loss to our renewable energy systems is estimated at about $400 million.

There was an estimated 60 per cent damage to coffee farms and infrastructure across all parishes, with an estimated loss of 25,000 boxes, equivalent to approximately $200 million in revenue,” he said.

Cocoa farmers, primarily in St. Thomas and St. Mary, suffered about 40 per cent loss.

“Pimento trees saw about 50 per cent damage, particularly in St. Thomas, St. Elizabeth and Manchester, [with] estimated loss at 20,000 kilogrammes. Nutmeg production, 20 per cent damage [and] potential loss of 1,000 kilogrammes. Turmeric and ginger crops, about 20 per cent damage estimated loss of 10,000 kilogrammes,” the Minister said.

Mr. Green said approximately 11,200 fishers have been affected, most of whom lost fishing gear in the form of traps and nets, estimated at $1 billion.

“The devastation from Hurricane Beryl to our agriculture and fisheries sector is extensive, affecting several parishes, with the most severely affected being St. Elizabeth, Manchester, Clarendon, Westmoreland and St. Catherine. Unfortunately, those parishes represent some of our most productive agricultural zones,” he stated.

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