The Overseas Minister, Ericka Bareigts, has announced that the “agricultural calamities” emergency fund has been opened for farmers in Martinique that were effected by Tropical Storm Matthew in September. The Minister said she wanted farmers, notably banana and vegetable producers, to be compensated swiftly.
As of next week, farmers can file their compensation requests at the Direction of Agriculture and Forestry, where a departmental commission will be set up to examine the cases.
The Minister made these announcements whilst spending 36 hours in Martinique which were devoted to the effect of the tropical storm on agriculture. She visited a banana farm during the trip and met with representatives from the vegetable sector and the Chamber of Agriculture at the Francois Town Hall.