Fiji’s Agriculture sector sustained $11.7 million of damage that was caused by the recent Tropical Depression.
This follows the field assessment by the Ministry of Agriculture on the Tropical Depression that caused damages to the production of crops, livestock and agricultural infrastructure in all the four divisions of the country.
The Government says most of the crops were damaged in the Central Division, which were along the river banks of Waidina, Wainimala, Wainibuka and Waimanu rivers.
According to the assessment, Central Division incurred the highest loss of $8.0 million followed by the Western Division which recorded a loss of $2.3 million, Northern Division amounted to $1.4 million while Eastern Division suffered a loss of $40,000.
It says crops sustained the majority of the damage at $11.1 million, followed by livestock at close to $247,000 while infrastructure damage is valued at around $365,000.
The Government says that the supply of fresh produce and processed agricultural commodities for export is expected to fall drastically over the next two months.
Root crops, especially dalo and cassava, will be affected for the next seven months.
It is also expected that there will be pest and disease outbreak on livestock farms.
The Ministry is currently liaising with the exporters and buyers to buy the matured crops from the farmers.
Farmers who require urgent assistance are advised to contact the Ministry officials based in their respective localities.
