A NUMBER of farmers who have suffered severe losses in the recent flood rains are slated to benefit from a gift of vegetable seeds, valued at $500,000.
The assortment of seeds is being donated by Jamaica Agro Chemicals Ltd, and includes carrot, sweet pepper, tomato, watermelon, turnip, okra and squash (zucchini). It is expected that the seeds, which are produced by Bonanza Seeds Int'l Inc., will plant 80 hectares (200 acres) of vegetables. The presentation will be made today in the Conference room on the 2nd Floor of the Ministry of Agriculture's Head Office on Hope Road.
The vegetable seeds will assist the Agriculture Ministry to replant approximately 1,000 hectares of cash crops, 280 hectares (700 acres) of which will include tomato, cabbage, carrot, lettuce and watermelon.
This rehabilitation exercise resulted from the report that an estimated 16,150 farmers islandwide had experienced losses of crops and livestock amounting to some $534.5 million. Of this amount, crop damage affected more than 14,200 farmers with over 2,060 hectares under cultivation.
Jamaica Agro Chemicals Ltd., has been the sole local agent for Bonanza Seeds Int'l Inc., for the past 24 years.
