Green announces support for flood-hit farmers

Farmers in sections of South St Elizabeth, South Manchester and parts of St Ann who were recently affected by heavy rains are to benefit from a $63-million support package from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining.

"I had committed to the farmers upon seeing the disruption that we will be providing some support to help them rebuild and so I'm pleased to announce [this support package] to help get our farmers back on their feet," portfolio minister Floyd Green said.

Green toured some of the affected areas last week. He announced that $15 million of the funds earmarked will be put towards restoring damaged crops while another $5 million will be used to support livestock farmers.

"We did see a lot of dislocation in relation to irrigation, and, as such, we want to put $10 million to help to purchase some of the equipment that was lost," Green said.

The minister was speaking at the launch of the 69th staging of the Denbigh Agricultural, Industrial and Food Show at Hi-Pro Supercentre in St Catherine.

He said $3 million will go towards the purchase of mulch and $30 million will be extended in immediate support to rehabilitate farm roads.