George Henry, Gleaner Writer

MALVERN, St. Elizabeth:

Farmers in the southern belt of St. Elizabeth are calling on the Government to be wary of import interventions here following Hurricane Dean's devastation of much of the island's crop stock.

According to the farmers much of their produce was destroyed by the Category Four hurricane, there are still ample ground provisions that can supply local demand for another four to six weeks.

Claude Taylor, one of the largest producers of fruits and vegetables at Flagaman in the parish, told The Gleaner there was no need for the Government to rush into importing crops such as cantaloupes, honeydew melons, tomatoes, among other fruits at this time.

"Within a week we will have sufficient (products) to supply local demand," Taylor said. "No one has come to see us since the passing of the hurricane to find out what kind of crops have been destroyed and what crops are available for the local consuming public."

He said tomatoes would be available for local consumption by the end of this week and that current produce could supply consumers for another four weeks.

The St. Bess agriculturist cautioned that though the sector had been devastated, several farmers had reported that much of their crop was saved.

Retain duties

Meanwhile, Kingsley Palmer, another producer of fruits and vegetables, who cultivates in the Malvern area, said if Government allowed further importation, duties should not be lifted.

Palmer argued that any waiver would drive local farmers into the ground.

He also lobbied for the Agriculture Ministry and the Rural Agricultural Development Authority to carry out a detailed assessment of the damage to the agricultural sector caused by Hurricane Dean before any decision is made.