Farmers who sustained losses as a result of the passage of Tropical Storm Gustav are now able to access a multimillion-dollar programme being spearheaded by the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA).

Al Powell, executive director at RADA, said the assistance is being provided only to registered farmers and production and marketing organisation members.

"The ministry [of agriculture] is putting its best foot forward and giving whatever it can at this time," said Powell.

He explained that farmers were receiving assistance in three different ways.

Vouchers

Since last week, vouchers valued at $2,000 were being disbursed to farmers, redeemable at farm stores for purchasing fertiliser. Some $25 million is budgeted for this initiative.

Farmers are asked to visit a RADA parish office at which their names will be ticked off and the voucher issued.

Some $6.5 million worth of vegetable seeds are also being distributed to registered farmers.

Farming tools - machetes and files - are also being given to farmers. The ministry sourced 3,000 units of each item.

Food For the Poor donated 1,000 and the ministry bought the additional 2,000.

Powell said that, based on the pace of collection of the farming tools, they could run out by early this week. Therefore, the ministry is working to secure another 5,000 units of each tool within two weeks.

"This phase of the programme started early last week, with the first set of machetes and files distributed to banana farmers as we wanted them to clear their lands," he said.

Banana growers who export will, in addition, receive support through a European Union Fund assistance programme, valued about $188 million.

Damage caused by Tropical Storm Gustav to the country's agricultural sector, livestock and crops, was estimated at $1.6 billion.

Since last week, vouchers valued at $2,000 were being disbursed to farmers, redeemable at farm stores for purchasing fertiliser. Some $25 million is budgeted for this initiative.