Agriculture sector records more than 10% growth for January to March

   

Minister of Agriculture Floyd Green says the sector has recorded growth of more than 10 per cent across the first three months of 2024.

 

Minister Green says the figure represents the dedication and resilience of those within the sector, in the face of heavy rains and persistent drought conditions.

 

On the matter of drought, Minister Green says the government is now assessing the impact on vegetables. 

 

"We do know normally when we have extended periods of drought that the areas most impacted are our vegetable lines, especially our leafy vegetables. So we're out doing the assessment now. I wouldn't give any figures as yet. I do expect that by next week, we will see what is happening. Clearly what we're trying to do in our drought mitigation exercise is to cauterize loss, to try and help the farmers save their crops," he said, admitting that some falloff is expected nonetheless. 

 

"I would have met yesterday with our greenhouse cluster and to see how they can ramp up production during this time to ensure that we have sort of consistent supplies. We've already seen some challenges in our Irish potato crop, and as such we look at steps to treat with that," he added while speaking during Wednesday morning's post Cabinet press briefing.

 

Minister Green said the government has also improved its water trucking system to minimise the fallout.

 

He noted that the shift in climatic conditions has resulted in the ministry implementing its drought mitigation measures closer to the start of the year, instead of during the summer months.

 

He said farmers have also become more proactive with their disaster management strategies.