Officials within the Ministry of Agriculture, Lands, Housing & the Environment are conducting its’ preliminary assessments of what toll Tropical Storm Irene has left on the sector.

Director of Agriculture, Mr. Jedidiah Maxime said, this action must be swift given the anticipation of another tropical system which is developing, with the likelihood of impacting Antigua& Barbuda, in the next 48 hrs.

On Thursdays, stabilization of streambeds and road repairs got underway in the Body Ponds Watershed Area, as the Extension Division hastened repairs and preparation respectively. The Government has budgeted over $300,000 for minor road repairs and streambeds Stabilization under the Agricultural Extension Services.

Extension Officer Mr. Sereno Benjamin said, Tropical Storm Irene dumped significant flood waters in the area which impacted road infrastructural network.

This road, he said, which spans approximately five (5) miles from Buckleys to Bendals grants critical access for farmers in Body Ponds and the Belverede Agricultural Settlement Districts.

Mr. Benjamin said, initial estimate to rehabilitate the entire stretch of roadways; have been put at approximately $300,000, for the hiring of heavy –duty equipment.

“The Ministry is conscious for the need for farmers to have access roads and is seeking to address any damage to roads in agricultural areas,” Benjamin said.

Work on critical areas are expected to be completed by Mid- September.

In the meantime, the Ministry of Agriculture through its Communication Unit is developing an Agriculture & Livestock hurricane toolkit for the farmers’ utilization to aid for disaster related preparation.

The toolkit guide will capture key messages for mitigation and adoptive management pre, post and during a disaster, from following departments, Environment Division, Development Control Authority, Extension Division, Department of Analytical Services, Veterinary& Livestock Division, the Fisheries Division and Forestry Division.