Agriculture Grows Despite Drought

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Agriculture Grows Despite Drought

01 February 2010

JAMAICA - Jamaica's agriculture sector showed growth in the fourth quarter of 2009, despite the protracted drought and difficult economic situation.

JAMAICA - Agriculture Grows Despite Drought

The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries has revealed increased gross output of 23.1 per cent for the entire sector in the final three months of last year, the Jamaica Gleaner reported.

Overall, there was 13 per cent growth for the sector last year, the figures from the Data Bank and Evaluation Division showed

The domestic crop subsection saw 33.5 per cent and 22.4 per cent increase in production for the quarter and year respectively.

All groups, including vegetables, sorrel, potatoes, fruits, cereals, yams and plantains had increases in production.

These increases come in spite of a protracted drought and the continuing difficult economic conditions and are expected to lead to a 20.5 per cent increase in gross domestic product.

Bad weather had affected many sectors, including the reaping of cane, which was suspended for several days last month.

Operations at the Frome Sugar Factory have now resumed, general manager of the Sugar Divestment Enterprise John Gayle told the Jamaica Information Service.

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