The Ministry of Agriculture, Lands, Housing & the Environment, has began to assess the degree of damage caused to the agriculture, livestock, and fisheries sectors, due, to the passage of Tropical Storm Earl.

Initial estimates are still to be defined from the impact.

On Tuesday, Minister of Agriculture, Lands, Housing & the Environment Hon. Hilson Baptiste, received preliminary reports of the agricultural sector, during a brief meeting with technical and communications officials within the ministry. These reports comprised four of the six agricultural districts and livestock.

Director of Agriculture Jedidiah Maxime, meanwhile, is reporting preliminary findings emanating from the agricultural districts to be that of flood damage, wind damage mainly to tree crops, banana and papayas.

Flood waters have caused soil wash and also significantly undermined feeder roads in some areas.

As it relates to the livestock sector, no deaths have been reported. Paddocks in low –lying areas were submerged under water, however.

Current estimates may likely grow until some type of normalcy is returned to production. However, based on the information known at this time and given the historical value (based on the pre –hurricane assessment), of the sector, contact have been made with our development support partners, regionally and internationally, have been established.

Officers from the Extension department shortly after Earl’s passage, on Monday, began to develop assessments of the potential damage caused to the sector.

“The ministry is sensitive to the farmer’s needs, and having completed the assessment these agencies will be approached as it relates to the severity of the losses suffered by the sector. These regional and International partners have supported in the past, and we are hopeful that we would receive their continued support,” Minister Baptiste noted.

In the meantime, reports from Barbuda, states that approximately 10 acres of agricultural production continue to submerged under water. An officer, is expected to visit the sister island, this week, to conduct a full assessment of the sector.

Minister Baptiste, as part of the recovery process, has pledged to pool all equipment and manpower, from the various departments to move the process forward.

With respect to lessons learnt, plans are afoot to redesign the agricultural districts in terms to natural drainage and ploughing techniques.

The sector has barely recovered from hurricane Omar, which dealt the industry approximately $10. 5 million in damages (flood and wind).

The fishing sector has also suffered from hurricanes Luis and George to the tune of $4.24 and $3.35 million respectively. This damage includes vessels, gears and infrastructure.

The government, however, has put measures in place, to assist, bona –fide fishers with tax and duty free concessions on fishing vessels, marine engines, fishing gears and other equipment.

Meanwhile, production, for the various sectors, over the past year yields $49.22 million in seafood, $32.9 million in crops and $28.8 in Livestock.

Antigua & Barbuda continues to be self sufficient in eggs production and with the minimal damage reported to the poultry sector, during Earl, reports indicate, the status quo remains.

The ministry is anticipating, however, a mere 5 –percent decline in the production of eggs.

For further information contact onika.campbell@gmail.com