June marks the beginning of the hurricane season and the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) through its Agricultural Disaster Risk Management (ADRM) programme is prepared and ready to help farmers in disaster prevention and mitigation. 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 is headquartered at RADA’s corporate office, Hope Gardens, and operates across all parishes through a collaborative effort 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 text messages sent to registered 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
ü Check radio weather broadcasts periodically for latest forecasts and warnings
ü Maintain drains, check dams, diversion ditches as necessary.
ü Keep fruit trees no more than 15 feet tall and not overhanging buildings.
ü Cut back tree branches and open the canopy so wind passes through readily thus reducing the level of damage during the storm.
ü Reap mature fruits and store in a cool, dry place for use after the event.
ü Make a checklist of all farm animals
ü Remove cattle and small ruminants from low lying areas to higher ground away from river banks and areas likely to have landslides or flooding.
ü Stockpile feed and place at least 2 feet above ground in dry, flood-resistant and leak-proof area to last at least one week.
ü Remove irrigation lines and equipment and store in area secure from damage.
ü Establish protected seedling production centres for early replanting after a hurricane.
During a Hurricane
ü Maintain open communications with all farm personnel
ü Never prune during the hurricane
ü Never shelter under a tree during the hurricane. Trees attract lightning and are therefore dangerous to humans and livestock.
ü Stay away from broken branches and uprooted trees.
ü Do not risk your life trying to save animals from drowning
After a Hurricane
ü Call your RADA extension officer, Parish office, farmers’ group representative, Agriculture Emergency Operations Centre and report the damage caused by the hurricane.
ü Assess property for damage to buildings, animals, crops, equipment etc.
ü Be alert and look for fallen or broken high powered electrical wires which may still be alive and dangerous.
ü Do not turn on electrical devices until proper checks by a competent person confirm it is safe to do so.
ü Dispose of dead animals immediately, by burial or burning.
ü Report signs of livestock distress/infection to livestock officer or veterinarian
ü In cutting broken or fallen trees, make sharp, clean cuts at a 45º angle to prevent water settling on the cut surface. Use tools such as pruning saw, roll-cut/secateur, chain saw.
ü 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.
ü Do not consume food/feed that has been in contact with flood waters.
Protected Agriculture – before and after the hurricane
ü During construction, use special locking profile to attach plastic/mesh to houses.
ü Establish protected seedling production centres for early replanting after a hurricane.
ü Hours before the event, remove cladding, lay plants flat and cover with plastic sheeting held down by twine tied across house posts.
ü Uncover, raise and re-hang trellis plants, replace cladding on house and treat plants after the event
For further information, contact your extension officer, your RADA parish office or call our toll free number 1-888-ASK-RADA or 1-888-275-7232.
June marks the beginning of the hurricane season and the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) through its Agricultural Disaster Risk Management (ADRM) programme is prepared and ready to help farmers in disaster prevention and mitigation. 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 is headquartered at RADA’s corporate office, Hope Gardens, and operates across all parishes through a collaborative effort 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 text messages sent to registered 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
ü Check radio weather broadcasts periodically for latest forecasts and warnings
ü Maintain drains, check dams, diversion ditches as necessary.
ü Keep fruit trees no more than 15 feet tall and not overhanging buildings.
ü Cut back tree branches and open the canopy so wind passes through readily thus reducing the level of damage during the storm.
ü Reap mature fruits and store in a cool, dry place for use after the event.
ü Make a checklist of all farm animals
ü Remove cattle and small ruminants from low lying areas to higher ground away from river banks and areas likely to have landslides or flooding.
ü Stockpile feed and place at least 2 feet above ground in dry, flood-resistant and leak-proof area to last at least one week.
ü Remove irrigation lines and equipment and store in area secure from damage.
ü Establish protected seedling production centres for early replanting after a hurricane.
During a Hurricane
ü Maintain open communications with all farm personnel
ü Never prune during the hurricane
ü Never shelter under a tree during the hurricane. Trees attract lightning and are therefore dangerous to humans and livestock.
ü Stay away from broken branches and uprooted trees.
ü Do not risk your life trying to save animals from drowning
After a Hurricane
ü Call your RADA extension officer, Parish office, farmers’ group representative, Agriculture Emergency Operations Centre and report the damage caused by the hurricane.
ü Assess property for damage to buildings, animals, crops, equipment etc.
ü Be alert and look for fallen or broken high powered electrical wires which may still be alive and dangerous.
ü Do not turn on electrical devices until proper checks by a competent person confirm it is safe to do so.
ü Dispose of dead animals immediately, by burial or burning.
ü Report signs of livestock distress/infection to livestock officer or veterinarian
ü In cutting broken or fallen trees, make sharp, clean cuts at a 45º angle to prevent water settling on the cut surface. Use tools such as pruning saw, roll-cut/secateur, chain saw.
ü 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.
ü Do not consume food/feed that has been in contact with flood waters.
Protected Agriculture – before and after the hurricane
ü During construction, use special locking profile to attach plastic/mesh to houses.
ü Establish protected seedling production centres for early replanting after a hurricane.
ü Hours before the event, remove cladding, lay plants flat and cover with plastic sheeting held down by twine tied across house posts.
ü Uncover, raise and re-hang trellis plants, replace cladding on house and treat plants after the event
For further information, contact your extension officer, your RADA parish office or call our toll free number 1-888-ASK-RADA or 1-888-275-7232.
