RADHICA DE SILVA
Agriculture Minister Clarence Rambharat says Government will move swiftly to give financial compensation to farmers affected by the last flooding. Last Friday, $12 million in aid was given to 711 farmers affected by Tropical Storm Bret. Speaking to reporters in Moruga yesterday, Rambharat said he was hoping that claims could be processed quicker than those claims made by victims of Bret.
"There is a process to follow and it involves receiving the claims and doing the inspections. We have more than 1,000 plots to review," he added.
Asked about the steep increase in the price of produce, Rambharat said the Ministry was closely monitoring the issue. Tomatoes jumped from $12 to $15 per pound, while pumpkin increased from $1 to $5 per pound. Saying price will be affected by supply and demand, Rambharat said consumers will have to make informed decisions when buying market goods.