Bananas and plantains have borne the brunt of agricultural losses from Hurricane Irma in the Dominican Republic, a representative of the Dominican Agribusiness Board (JAD) has told publication ElCaribe.com.do. 

JAD director Osmar Benítez said rains from the weather event had provoked losses of 10,000 tareas (629 hectares) of bananas and plantains in the Cibao Central area of the Espaillat province.

"In general terms Dominican agriculture was not severely affected by the Hurricane Irma," Benítez was quoted as saying.

"In our case we were able to rescue more than 200,000 plantains and process them for Frito Lay, with whom we have maintained a commercial relationship for 17 years," the director was quoted as saying in relation to his own farm.

The story reported Benítez pointed out the northeastern corridor of agricultural production was hit with "significant losses" from the smallest growers through to larger operations.

He said the event highlighted the importance of insurance coverage for farmers.

"We are in the path of hurricanes. Every year we run the same risk, along with other phenomena like tornados, and tropical storms all year," he was quoted as saying.

Photo: www.shutterstock.com

www.freshfruitportal.com