By Damion Mitchell, Staff ReporterTHE UNITED States Agency for International Development's (USAID) ridge to reef Programme has committed to providing $7.3 million to assist 630 farmers in the six parishes hardest hit by Hurricane Ivan in September.
The announcement was made on Tuesday at the Jamaica Conference Centre, downtown Kingston before the signing of an agreement with the Ministry of Agriculture and the Inter-American Institute for Co-operation on Agriculture. They will all assist with the monitoring and implementation of the relief exercise.
According to Dr. Kevin Rushing, USAID's deputy mission director, the relief fund was part of a $460 million (US$7.4 million) 'refocused programme' of activities of the American aid agency.
The refocused programme, he said, will also concentrate on coastal rehabilitation, water and sanitation, disaster mitigation, rebuilding schools, health clinics and housing.
Dr. Rushing later told The Gleaner that Jamaica was among several Caribbean countries ravaged by recent hurricanes that will benefit from a $6 billion (US$100 million) relief package announced by United States president George W. Bush last month. He said by the end of next week, the portion to be allocated to Jamaica would be finalised.
"USAID is committed to helping Jamaica on its path to recovery and we stand here as partners and friends in this process," he said.
Meanwhile, agriculture Minister Roger Clarke said the more than 600 farmers to benefit from the relief programme in the form of inputs, farm tools and equipment will be chosen based on, among other things, their production of selected crops hot pepper, callaloo, tomato, sweet potato and watermelon. Such crops are produced for agro-processors, ex-porters of fresh produce, hotel and supermarket operators.
He also said under the assistance programme, producers of vegetables and spices qualified for assistance will be eligible for a maximum of $15,000 while aquaculture farmers will be given a maximum of $75,000.
The Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), has been mandated to verify the loss suffered by each beneficiary, but officials of IICA, USAID and the Ministry of Agriculture will also have access to the farmers' properties to view their respective rehabilitation.
