Drought has already reduced crop production, which declined drastically last month when compared to the same period a year ago. The decline occurred despite figures at the end of last quarter showing general production had increased when compared to the same quarter last year.

Vegetable production was 33 per cent less than last year as farmers reaped only 319 hectares of vegetables compared to 475 hectares last year, preliminary data show. Likewise, legumes, condiments and hot peppers will be difficult to source at markets this week as general production also fell significantly.

Most affected areas

Farmers in the parishes of St Mary, Portland, St Thomas and the country's main food producer - St Elizabeth - have been most affected by the harsh drought conditions.

"We are asking the farmers to ensure that there is enough mulching on the ground," said Janet Lawrence, acting executive director of the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA).

Mulch is a mixture of wet straw, leaves or other material used to conserve moisture or enrich soil.

Aside from mulching. the agriculture ministry will be implementing irrigation measures to assist the farmers. Among the immediate strategies the ministry said it would employ are tank building and the use of harnessed water from ravines and rainfall run-off from roadway gutters.

The water will be drained into a catchment area to be used for irrigation.

The ministry would also seek funds to finance quarter-acre gravity drip systems for farms that are accessible by trucks. The systems are to be distributed across the island.

Ministry's drought mitigation strategies

1. Improve storage.

2. Recyce grey water to irrigate tree crops, landscapes.

3. Cultivate drought-resistant/tolerant crop varieties.

4. Rural diversification.

5. Promote water conservation practices in agriculture to prevent the following water-loss effects on farms:

- Run-off.

- Deep percolation.

- Evaporation/evapotranspiration