Jamaican Minister of Agriculture Floyd Green has indicated that the World Bank has estimated the damage to Jamaica's agricultural sector at J$60 billion or US$300 million. Green, speaking at a press briefing at Jamaica House on Wednesday, said that preliminary estimates had put the damage at US$150 million.
He said that for the rest of the financial year, the government has provided some $3 billion to the sector. The minister said that under phase one of the recovery programme, the hardest-hit areas have been mapped using drones.
He said that while farmers may not see extension officers on the ground, this is because many have been personally affected by the recent hurricane, but they will be out again shortly. Speaking specifically about what has been done, Green said that 6,000 bags of seeds have already been given to farmers.
Also, some 2,000 bags of fertiliser have been distributed to farmers. He said further that another 7,000 bags of seeds and 5,000 bags of fertiliser will be procured.
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