The damage assessment report of the agricultural sector excluding sugar has been sent to Cabinet by the Agriculture Ministry.
Permanent Secretary Colonel Mason Smith said that the damage stands at $17.4 million.
He said the Ministry will use just over a half a million dollars as part of rehabilitation process for farmers.
Colonel Smith said that they are currently working with non government organizations to buy seeds from overseas to help the flood affected farmers and one such organization is the Rama Krishna Mission in Nadi.
Meanwhile, the Agriculture Ministry signed a contract with the China Railway First Group today for the dredging on the Navua River.
Colonel Smith said that the dredging work will start from this week and the $4 million project is expected to take 6 months to complete.
The China Railway Group has just completed the dredging of the Rewa River.
Colonel Smith said that the recent floods and devastation that occurred in the Western Division has resulted in damages to many areas which has highlighted the need to improve and maintain river systems to cope with periods of extreme and intense rainfall.
Story by: Sneh Chaudhry
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Agriculture damage stands at $17.4M
