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JAM | Mar 9, 2023

Jamaican farmers urged to contact RADA for drought assistance

Tamoy Ashman

Tamoy Ashman / Our Today

Reading Time: 2 minutes
Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr. (Photo: JIS)

Agri Minister Pearnel Charles Jr is urging farmers to reach out to the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) for assistance if they have been affected by the drought.

Jamaica is currently experiencing a meteorological drought with persistently low levels of rainfall. This has resulted in the browning of hillsides and multiple bushfires across the island.

The ministry was previously given J$90 million for drought response, with another J$110 million earmarked for additional drought mitigation measures.

Minister of agriculture and fisheries, Pearnel Charles Jr. (left), and state minister, Franklin Witter (second left), receive onions from farmer, Kenroy Kellyman, during a tour of St. Thomas onion farms on Thursday (February 16). With them is acting chief executive officer, rural agricultural development authority (RADA,) Winston Simpson. (Photo: JIS)

While speaking at a press conference yesterday (March 8) he noted that the ministry has implemented several methods to assist farmers.

“Reach out to our RADA extension officers. Let them know your situation. We may not be able to help everyone immediately but we certainly will be able to help you if you give us the information and we know where you are.

An approximate J$36.9 million will be disbursed immediately to RADA for access by the members of parliament to quickly impact support for production in drought-affected constituencies, said Charles Jr.

Tags
drought farmers Government of Jamaica Jamaica Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries Rural Agricultural Development Authority

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