Drought slowing post-hurricane recovery of St. Thomas farmers

 

 

The Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) says St. Thomas farmers are continuing to recover from Hurricane Melissa, but the ongoing drought is slowing progress in some areas.

 

RADA's St. Thomas Parish Manager Errard Stephenson says most crops have bounced back, including banana and plantain, which take longer to mature.

 

But, he says the drought is affecting yields, with fruits coming in smaller than usual. 

 

"So the yield is going to be less. So that is what we are looking at in terms of banana and plantains. In some areas that are more severely affected, you will actually see toppling of the banana or the plantain tree because once the fruit gets out there and it carries that weight, then you will find that because of the drought situation, the fruit will actually bend the tree and fall. What we're imploring the farmers to do is just let them remain and they will come to fruition. Of course, the fruits will be small, but they will still come," he advised.

 

The authority has been supporting farmers with seeds and fertiliser to move the parish toward full production levels.