Drought advisory issued in Jamaica by RADA

Kingston, Jamaica: In light of the drought alert, which has been issued by the authorities of the Rural Agriculture Development Authority (RADA), the farmers are urged to take necessary precautions. The aim of this initiative is to facilitate the farmers to conduct on farm activities with an alternative water source.

The advisory has been issued as February to April is considered the peak of the dry season. According to the reports, the following are the districts of Jamaica that experienced long-term drought conditions up to May 2024.

• St Elizabeth
• Westmoreland
• St Mary
• Portland
• St Catherine
• Kingston
• St Andrew
• St Thomas
• Hanover
• Trelawny

Such droughts are affecting the crops, which makes the lives of farmers difficult. RADA urged the farmers to follow the measures and updates provided by Jamaica Meteorological Services for the safeguard of their productions and crops.

RADA introduces some measures, which are expected to be followed by the farmers in terms of drought management.

• Farmers are expected to use irrigation systems efficiently and economically as their resources such as small portable pumps, tanks for water storage and gravity drip systems.
• The irrigation process should be done in the morning as there is less probability of wind and lower evaporation rates.
• Farmers should practice soil farming with the aid of plastic or grass liners to maintain soil moisture.
• One should check their guttering systems regularly to ensure that there is no debris to catch water from isolated rainfall.
• There is a need to use plant seeds in trays instead of directly seeding the plant. It will make water availability more efficient.
• Farmers should improve their crop portfolio mix by planting drought-tolerant crops like pineapple, sweet potato, cassava, gungo peas, and ginger.
• Use foliar fertilizer application, weeds and control pests.
• Maintain proper sources of windbreaks around the fields to reduce the loss of water from the soil.
• There should be a facility for fire banks to prevent the rapid spread of bushfires.

RADA has also shared some measures for the livestock farmers. As per them, livestock farmers are supposed to provide supplemental feed, supplemental minerals, vitamins to their crops. They should also arrange some energy sources, which are necessary.

It is suggested that farmers be aware of this long-drought period as it can increase plant toxicities.