THE Ministry of Agriculture has reported a $1.6-billion loss to the island’s agriculture sector following the passage of Tropical Storm Gustav two weeks ago.

According to the ministry, some 2,777 hectares of domestic food crops, including vegetables, fruits, condiments and ground provisions were affected, with the damage being assessed at $538 million.

Ministry figures in the banana industry reflected losses to the Jamaica Producers Group and showed damage to their estates at some $505.5 million, representing 70 to 85 per cent of the existing crop estimates.

However, of this amount, some 40 per cent is salvageable, the ministry said, if the critical rehabilitative steps, including drainage, crop nutrition and disease management, are taken.

In addition, a European Union grant of $188 million in supplies to banana farmers will be fast-tracked to assist in the rehabilitation of damaged fields and allow for reaping within eight months, the ministry reported.

Preliminary reports on the damage to sugar cane cultivation showed varying degrees of devastation in different parts of the island.

According to the ministry’s report, overall losses have been estimated at 120,000 tonnes or six per cent of next year’s crop, and is valued at $450 million.

In the livestock industry, the ministry said that the assessments were done on a parish-by-parish basis and has estimated the total loss at $27 million.

Initial estimates suggest that the coffee industry sustained losses of some $108 million, representing five to six per cent of the current year’s crop. Focus is now being placed on the clearing of access roads to allow for a more comprehensive assessment, as well as to facilitate the harvesting of the crop that is now ready, the ministry said.

“In order to fast-track this work, the ministry has allocated $15 million for rental of equipment to assist the process.particularly in the coffee-growing areas of St Andrew, St Thomas and Portland,” the ministry said in its report.

Assistance to affected farmers has started and $7 million worth of seeds will be distributed.

This quick response is as a result of arrangements made with input suppliers, prior to the passage of the storm, the ministry said.

The ministry said it has also started distributing $25 million in fertiliser subsidy through the production and marketing organisations in each parish.