The rains caused by Isaac, in general, benefited Agriculture activities, but the winds
affected between 5% and 10% of plantain and banana production, and to a lesser extent coconuts.
The greatest damage occurred in the South, in the areas of Vicente Noble, Tamayo, Barahona, Bahoruco and Mao, as confirmed to El DIA the Ministry of Agriculture and several producers of Musa in those areas.
Luis Bonilla, president of Santa Cruz Association of Banana Producers, reported that out of 350,000 tareas (22,026 ha) that 1,400 farmers work on in the south, only about 35,000 (2,202 ha) were affected.
"There was damage, but not that alarming because it did not affect complete farms, but some of them lost crops," he said to El DIA.
Agriculture promises help for farmers
The Ministry of Agriculture and other institutions pledged to help agriculture producers who were affected by the rains and winds left behind by the Tropical Storm Isaac in the country.
The producers will be assisted thanks to President Danilo Medina, with free delivery of planting material, like plantain and banana plants, and other planting material. The announcement was made by the Minister of Agriculture, Luis Ramon Rodriguez, during a tour led by President Medina to the south, area affected by the effects of Issac.
During the tour, the producers thanked the authorities for showing all their support and presence one day after being hit by the storm.
During the Minister of Agriculture´s meeting, farmers and producers remembered of the old saying that the rain pays the damages, according to Listindiario.