Witter rubbishes claims that St. Elizabeth farmers yet to receive Beryl relief

By Halshane Burke    

 

State Minister for Agriculture Franklin Witter is rubbishing claims by Opposition Spokesperson on Agriculture Dr. Dayton Campbell, that no farmer in St. Elizabeth has received Hurricane Beryl relief.

 

Dr. Campbell made the assertion at a political meeting in South East St. Elizabeth recently.

 

Mr. Witter says the comments are misguided and misleading.

 

He says the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) has been working hard to ensure relief gets to the farmers. 

 

"RADA has assisted over 3,000 farmers. We have also allocated over 1,600 bags of fertiliser. Additionally 28,000 broiler chickens and 1,800 layers [were] distributed to over 571 poultry farmers - this making a total of over 4,000 farmers who have been assisted since the passage of the hurricane. Additionally, we also would have supported banana and plantain farmers with materials to RADA," he outlined. 

 

Mr. Witter said the effect of the assistance through RADA has been the re-emergence of fruits and vegetables, such as tomatoes and lettuce, in the local market.