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assessment of the socio-economic and environmental impact

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In addition to crop loss, infrastructure including parochial roads has been significantly damaged.<br />

However, processing plants have sustained minimal damage. Currently, <strong>the</strong>re has been no<br />

determination <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> total damage to c<strong>of</strong>fee infrastructure.<br />

5. The Banana Industry<br />

Direct damage to <strong>the</strong> banana industry was estimated at $525 million. There was an 85 per cent<br />

loss <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> st<strong>and</strong>ing crops <strong>and</strong> 95 percent loss <strong>of</strong> maiden suckers. The greatest number <strong>of</strong> hectares<br />

lost from <strong>the</strong> non-estate sector was in Portl<strong>and</strong>, St. Mary <strong>and</strong> St. James. 13<br />

Total hectarage damaged was 2 358.7, with <strong>the</strong> export <strong>and</strong> domestic sector losing 1 552.51 <strong>and</strong><br />

806.19 hectares respectively. It is estimated that Hurricane Dean has directly caused a complete<br />

loss <strong>of</strong> income for up to 3 000 persons who depend solely on banana production for <strong>the</strong>ir<br />

livelihoods. There is also an indirect loss <strong>of</strong> income to ano<strong>the</strong>r 8 000 persons (shopkeepers, truck<br />

operators, processors etc).<br />

Indirect losses amounted to US$40 million. This comprised <strong>of</strong> loss in export earnings <strong>of</strong><br />

approximately US$15 million <strong>and</strong> loss in domestic earnings <strong>of</strong> US$25 million over <strong>the</strong> next six<br />

months. The banana sub-sector is extremely vulnerable to hurricanes, as over <strong>the</strong> last five years<br />

four major storms caused severe damage to <strong>the</strong> sector. Due to <strong>the</strong> risk associated with banana<br />

production, it is difficult to secure adequate insurance coverage for <strong>the</strong> sub sector. The<br />

frequency <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se storms, poses severe financial burden on <strong>the</strong> farmers as <strong>the</strong> recovery process<br />

is very slow <strong>and</strong> costly. The cost to full recovery as a result <strong>of</strong> Hurricane Dean is estimated at<br />

US$7.5 million dollars<br />

Tables 3.6, 3.7 <strong>and</strong> 3.8 detail <strong>the</strong> damage to <strong>the</strong> sub-sector as result <strong>of</strong> passage <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> hurricane.<br />

13 The proportion <strong>of</strong> damage for <strong>the</strong>se parishes was due to increased banana <strong>and</strong> plantain activities in <strong>the</strong>se areas.<br />

33

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