DOMESTIC food production for the third quarter this year recorded a 13.5 per cent increase over the corresponding period last year and 16 per
cent higher than second quarter production levels.

According to Agriculture Minister Dr Christopher Tufton, the sector has rebounded from the drought that affected the island over last year.

All parishes recorded an increase when compared to the corresponding quarter last year, with major performances from Hanover, with a 20 per cent increase; Clarendon a 31 per cent increase and St
Mary an 81 per cent increase," Tufton said yesterday at a quarterly
report at the ministry's headquarters on Hope Road in Kingston.

The agriculture minister said that the effects from heavy rains associated with Tropical Storm Nicole at the end of September would
impact on performance in the sector over the final quarter.

The storm cost an estimated $1 billion in damage to crops and farm roads over two days of record rainfall.

Tufton yesterday urged patience from retailers and consumers, warning that there could be increases in the price of some commodities as
production reaches satisfactory levels.

Although imports of some items have commenced to offset shortages, consumers should expect scarcity in vegetable items, especially
tomatoes, lettuce and sweet pepper, Tufton said.

"Those were affected because of the open field operation," he explained.

"When you have a crisis like this one there is going to be dislocation [but] we have sufficient infrastructure to identify where the gaps are
and to take action to fill those gaps," he noted.

"Prices are a bit high now but I hope that is motivation to farmers to get back up and running," he added.

According to the minister, measures announced to resuscitate the sector shortly after Nicole, such as support for small-scale chicken farmers,
have begun.

"We had identified over 1,000 potential beneficiaries of this, so far we have distributed to some 768 persons in supporting the starting-back
process of poultry production," he said.

Farm road clearance, with the assistance of the transport and works ministry, is also underway, the minister said adding, however, that it
was "not where we want it to be."

He added that 5,871 farmers were identified through the Rural Agricultural Development Agency for seed distribution

"Over 2,000 persons have received benefits so far," said Tufton.

"Emphasis is to get the farmers back up and running as quick as possible," he emphasised.

"There is a lot more that we would want to do, but it is a function of the resources," the Minster admitted.