About $2.5M in crops in Sigatoka destroyed

Visual observation reveals that about 80% of all the crops in Sigatoka worth around $2.5 million have been destroyed by recent floods.

These were planted for food security and export.

A survey was done by officers of the Department of Agriculture in the Sigatoka area and Director for Extension Division, Uraia Waibuta said there were extensive damages to vegetables and crops in the valley.

He added these figures will be verified by their survey teams.

Waibuta said the biggest challenge they have now is meeting export commitments from commodities such as eggplant, pawpaw and okra that were planted during off-season.

He added the priority of the department now is the de-silting of farms, farm drains and clearing debris so farmers can start land preparation and cultivation as soon as practicable.

He said they are raising seedlings of eggplant, chinese cabbage, tomatoes and english cabbage at their research station which will be distributed to farmers in four weeks.


Story by: Ronal Deo