No Food Shortage Despite Drought

The Jamaica Agricultural Society says despite the worsening drought conditions Jamaica is not faced with a certain food shortage.

Meteorological Service of Jamaica has upgrade Jamaica’s drought conditions from critical to severe.

Last month the Agriculture Ministry insisted that despite experiencing the worst drought in almost a century, there is sufficient arable lands in production as key foods are still on the local market.

Earlier today, Jeffrey Spooner, the head of the Met Service, told The Gleaner/Power 106 News Centre that Jamaica is now facing severe drought with extreme conditions in St Mary, Clarendon and St Mary.

However, the JAS president Senator Norman Grant, says if the Government moves quickly to invest more money and increase irrigation support, there will be no food shortage.

He says the the drought has cost Jamaica $1 billion with more than 16,000 farmers affected.

The authorities say the absence of the usual May-June rain has exacerbated the drought.

In response, the Government has implemented a prohibition order that forbids the use of water for activities such as car washing.

At least $45 million has been budgeted to respond to the drought.