assessment of the socio-economic and environmental impact

Estimates reveal that approximately 5,354 hectares of arable produce have been lost. It is also
evident that the impact of the hurricane will adversely affect the island’s ability to produce roots
and tubers in the short term. The estimates suggest that 1,514 hectares of roots and tubers have
been destroyed representing approximately 28 percent of the total damage to the domestic crop
production. The other sub groupings that were adversely affected include bananas (domestic
market), vegetables and plantains. Together they account for less than 50 percent (2,596
hectares) of the damage suffered to domestic crop production.
Table 3.3 and Figure 3.2 below illustrate the damage to the sector based on hectare damage for
various domestic crops in each parish. It is important to note here that increased damage per
hectare does not necessarily equate to higher financial losses as this is a function of other
variables, unique for each commodity produced in a particular area.
Table 3.3: Preliminary Estimates of Hectare Damage by Parish
Parish Legumes Cereal Vegetables Condiments Fruits FTC a Banana
(domestic
market)
Plantain
Roots and
Tubers
Manchester 70 290 100 15 415 890
St. Elizabeth 130 45 200 125 110 2 4 6 110 732
Trelawny 30 25 25 50 50 490 670
St. James 25 15 30 45 20 16 300 120 40 611
Portland 10 20 15 20 250 120 125 560
St. Thomas 40 2 45 31 20 130 35 80 383
St. Mary 11 30 10 22 150 100 55 378
Clarendon 48 18 112 55 4 20 20 63 340
St. Andrew 15 7 20 10 2 80 20 140 30 324
Hanover 5 3 30 10 12 9 8 62 30 169
St. Ann 4 28 52 16 2 63 165
Westmorland 10 1 55 15 10 5 10 25 131
St. Catherine 10 32 14 1 15 15 13 100
Total 368 129 946 446 263 137 957 11 693 12 1514 5453
Source: RADA
Note a) FTC (Fruit Tree Crops)
Total
11 These figures will vary from those of Banana Export Company (BECO) as the BECO figures include only those
banana growers in the European Union Banana Support Programme (EUBSP) target parishes, whilst RADA’s
figures include all banana growing farmers.
12 These figures will vary from those of BECO as the BECO figures include only those plantain growers in the
EUBSP target parishes, whilst RADA’s figures include all plantain growing farmers.
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