Prepared by the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA)
June marks the beginning of the hurricane season and the
Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), a division of the Ministry of Agriculture through its Agricultural Disaster Risk Management (ADRM)
programme is prepared and ready to help farmers in
disaster prevention and mitigation.
While these suggestions are authorized and developed for the Jamaican Farmer, RADA wants our regional partners as well as our international colleagues – to cull these strategies and apply them where necessary.
The ADRM plan emerged from the vision of the Minister of Agriculture &
Fisheries of the need for a national framework to reduce
the impact of especially hydro-meteorological hazards on
agricultural livelihood.
The activities and measures for disaster risk management in the agricultural sector are aimed at mitigation, prevention and preparedness; emergency response; recovery and rehabilitation.
In this context our programme outlines organizational and
operational structures as well as institutional relationships
and responsibilities that facilitate effective implementation
of activities for Agricultural Disaster Risk Management at
all stages of the DRM Cycle.
The ADRM operation has its
Headquarters at RADA’s corporate office, located on the same base as the Ministry of Agriculture at Jamaica’s Hope Gardens, Kingston Jamaica.
RADA operates across all parishes through collaborative
efforts involving relevant stakeholders including the
Ministry of Agriculture & Fisheries Agencies, ODPEM, IICA,
JAS, NWA, SDC, parish council, the police, community
members and agricultural input suppliers among others.
RADA communicates with farmers through the modern text messaging system
sent to registered RADA farmers prior, during and after a disaster
to help farmers in managing their operations.
Brochures on disaster preventative measures are available at the
RADA parish offices and at our website www.rada.gov.jm
.
What farmers should do before a
hurricane
• Check radio weather broadcasts periodically for
latest forecasts and warnings
• Maintain drains, check dams, diversion ditches as
necessary.
• Keep fruit trees no more than 15 feet tall and not
Over hanging buildings.
• Cut back tree branches and open the canopy so
wind passes through readily thus
reducing the level of damage during the storm.
• Reap mature fruits and store in a cool, dry place for
use after the event.
• Make a checklist of all farm animals
• Remove cattle and small ruminants from low lying
areas to higher ground away from river banks and
areas likely to have landslides or flooding.
• Stockpile feed and place at least 2 feet above
ground in dry, flood-resistant and leak-proof area to
last at least one week.
• Remove irrigation lines and equipment and store in
area secure from damage.
• Establish protected seedling production centres for
early replanting after a hurricane.
During a Hurricane
• Maintain open communications with all farm
colleagues
• Never prune during the hurricane
• Never shelter under a tree during the hurricane.
Trees attract lightning and are therefore dangerous
to humans and livestock.
• Stay away from broken branches and uprooted
trees.
• Do not risk your life trying to save animals from
drowning
After a Hurricane
• Call your RADA extension officer, Parish office,
farmers’ group representative, Agriculture
Emergency Operations Centre and report the
damage caused by the hurricane.
• Assess property for damage to buildings, animals,
crops, equipment etc.
• Be alert and look for fallen or broken high powered
electrical wires which may still be alive and
dangerous.
• Do not turn on electrical devices until proper checks
by a competent person confirm it is safe to do so.
• Dispose of dead animals immediately, by burial or
burning.
• Report signs of livestock distress/infection to
livestock officer or veterinarian
• In cutting broken or fallen trees, make sharp, clean
cuts at a 45 degree angle to prevent water
settling on the cut surface. Use tools such as pruning
saw, roll-cut/secateurs, chain saw.
• In the case of trees that were uprooted, prop-up
trees and cover roots with top soil where possible,
avoid damage to the base of the trunk.
• Do not consume food/feed that has been in contact
with flood waters.
Protected Agriculture - before and
after the hurricane
• During construction, use special locking profile to
attach plastic/mesh to houses.
• Establish protected seedling production centres for
early replanting after a hurricane.
• Hours before the event, remove cladding, lay plants
flat and cover with plastic sheeting
held down by twine tied across house posts.
• Uncover, raise and re-hang trellis plants and treat plants after the event
Remember that in the Caribbean Region “The Hurricane Season” can yield excessive weather systems even into December.
For further information, contact your extension officer,
your RADA parish office or call our toll free number1-888-ASK-RADA or 1-888-275-7232.
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