The Reunion Chamber of Agriculture estimates that the damage on the farms of the island could reach 47 million euros [53.5 million USD] after the passage of cyclone Batsirai.
“The plant and vegetable sector, the flower crops and the fruit orchards represent 44 million of these 47 million euros [50.1 out of 53.5 million USD],” according to Frédéric Vienne, president of the Chamber of Agriculture. More than 900 hectares of fruit and vegetables have been lost and 50% of the greenhouses and above-ground structures have been damaged.
“For the crops that are lost and the greenhouses and irrigation systems that are destroyed, the damage is estimated at 25,000 to 30,000 euros [28,451 to 34,141 USD],” explains a producer based in Saint-Pierre (south of the island). “I was expecting 80 crates of passion fruit, but I have only one and it is not even full.”
The French government has already acknowledged the state of natural disaster for 19 of the 24 municipalities that make up the island. According to Thierry Silotia, assistant secretary of the Chamber of Agriculture, “the whole island should be placed under this status” because some have lost everything.
Source: 20minutes.fr
© Reunion Chamber of Agriculture
