Gov't pledges greater help for farmers to mitigate storm losses

 

The government is pledging greater assistance to farmers in the event of losses suffered due to a tropical cyclone. 

 

Forecasters have predicted an active 2025 Atlantic hurricane season. 

 

Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness, who lauded the farmers for their quick recovery from Hurricane Beryl last year, sayid more needs to be done to further enhance their ability to quickly recover. 

 

"I was very impressed with all the farmers in Clarendon and Manchester and St. Elizabeth, that belt. They were hit badly, but recovered very quickly. And the Ministry of Agriculture was very quick to be in the field with the farmers. The response was financial, but they did get some supplies," he said. 

 

"I think we're going to have to kind of strengthen our response there to see how best we can help farmers, especially those that are utilising grow houses like greenhouses and other covered agricultural technology. They suffered badly. There needs to be greater outreach and education as to how to dismantle, how to protect and whether or not there are actually technologies that are available that could be deployed to secure greenhouses," added the Prime Minister.