Many farmers suffered as a result of the passing of Tropical Storm Tomas, leaving behind ruined crops and dead livestock.
The DAILY NATION visited two such farmers: Bertram Watson of Hillaby, St Thomas, and Melba Sandiford of Walkers, St Andrew.
Watson, who grows fruit trees and rears pigs on his two-and-a-half-acre property, said his losses were as much as $15 000 as he lost “hundreds” of his banana; fig and plantain trees last weekend.
“I supply large and smaller supermarkets, and it is them which will be affected,” he said. As for Sandiford, she lamented the loss of 250 four-week-old chicks, which drowned in their pen.
“These chickens were going to give me a little six cents but that six cents gone now,” she said.
Sandiford, 77, said she would order more chickens once her telephone service is restored. At left, Bertram Watson walking among his ravaged banana trees. Inset: Melba Sandiford.
