BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – IN its efforts to return to a state of normalcy, the Government is currently in the process of clearing roadways in areas that were inaccessible to farmers as a result of the damage caused by two hurricanes.
Since the passage of Hurricanes Irma and Maria, which have left over EC$10M in damage, those who are engaged in the agriculture and fisheries sector have been left to pick up the pieces.
Just recently, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Allistair Edwards told SKNVibes that the Government has been clearing access roads around the island of St. Kitts to have farmers return to their locations.
He stated that they have done quite a bit of clearing, pointing to Tabernacle, the Hope area and the western side of the island, while the Green Hills area is next on the list.
The PS noted that it is not only his sector that has benefited from the clearing exercise, but also tourism as visitors are now able to access the forested areas as before.
In addition, he reminded that they have been giving back to farmers in the area of input materials “just to start them up again”.
Edwards explained that the Government got a small amount of assistance from international agencies – which targeted farmers with green houses.
As such, the Ministry was able to garner materials to give back to farmers to rebuild their structures.
“Unfortunately, the storms were able to take out all of the structures in terms of the structures, so we are giving them the plastics/netting so that they can put back their greenhouses together.”
Though they would have received the donations earlier this week, the Ministry, through its Department of Agriculture, has not begun distributing those materials as yet.
Edwards stated that they have the names to whom they need to distribute such, but they have not started.
“I think also in the package are some seedlings, some ready to go seedlings. In other words, once you get them you just need to put them in the soil.”
Further, the Ministry is discussing land preparation for farmers and, according to Edwards, it would only be offered to “some people” so that they could get back onboard”.
