FARMERS IN 13 parishes have received $20 million to cover some of the losses caused by this year's drought. The money came from the Government's drought rehabilitation programme.
According to Deputy Executive Director of the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), Thomas Burton, in the short run the funds would be used to provide storage tanks and drip irrigation systems. Mr. Burton said 150 irrigation systems, each costing $23,000, had been ordered.
Farmers affected by the drought have received fertilisers and carrot, tomato, cabbage, cauliflower and broccoli seeds.
Mr. Burton said a special allocation of $1 million was made to farmers in Beacon, St. Elizabeth, who had lost property in a fire which ravaged their fields in April.
