Farmers in Las Lomas, Cunupia and other parts of central Trinidad who have lost crops in last weekend’s floods are being advised to file claims for relief at the agricultural extension offices in their areas.

Meanwhile, Las Lomas farmer, Vishnu Sayneeram told that farmers in his area and Cunupia have lost several acres of lands that were under cultivation. Some crops were almost ready to reap.

Sayneeram said the losses will lead to an increase in the price of greens and vegetables on the market. “We can expect some prices to go up,” he said. Already, the price of some items like tomatoes are already high because of the inconsistent rainfall and floods.

“I have lost all my crops,” Sayneeram said. This includes one and a half acres of bhaigan, three acres of hot peppers and pimento, and four acres of ochroes, he said.

Sayneeram said that between 15 to 20 farmers in Las Lomas alone were affected like him. Many lost crops planted on lands from two to five acres. They grow tomatoes, lettuce, cabbage, patchoi, bodi and other crops.

No one from the Food Production Ministry, he said, has visited to see the devastation.

Another farmer in El Carmen who did not want his name mentioned, said that he has lost all his poultry (ducks and fowls). He said that compensation from the State will not bring him any relief, because it is too small.

Food Production Minister, Devant Maharaj told crews from the ministry were in the fields over the weekend working with some farmers to pump water out of their farms in a bid to salvage some crops.

Yesterday, he said crews were in the fields beginning assessing some of the damage done in Plum Mitan. Farmers need to file their claims for relief at the extension offices in their areas. Staff from the ministry he said would also be making the rounds to assess the claims. He said that farmers need to file relief claims at the extension offices in their areas.

A number of farmers have claimed that the relief they get, cannot compensate for their losses. Maharaj said he has taken a recommendation for a farmers’ crop insurance to Cabinet in a note which is currently before the Ministry of Finance for consideration. The crop insurance, he said, will provide for natural disasters, such as floods, and praedial larceny among other areas. Ask to provide further details on the insurance, he would not divulge more information at the time except to say that, “the ministry is looking at the numbers.”

Source - http://www.newsday.co.tt/