Fire personnel attempt to put out bush fire in a section of East Rural St Andrew in May.
The primitive slash-and-burn farming practice has been identified as the cause for a series of bush fires that has been ravaging farms in the hills of western St Thomas.
President of the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS), Senator Norman Grant, explains that “slash and burn” practices among farmers to clear hillsides for farming has been a primary contributor to fires which have been affecting the area.
He says about 200 acres of farmlands have been destroyed by bush fires which have been ongoing in different sections of the parish for the past six weeks. The fires, which have continued to spread, have mainly affected areas such as Penlyne Castle, Richmond Gap, Hagley Gap and Nest Castle, destroying coffee, vegetables and livestock.
Losses are likely to amount to millions of dollars.
The JAS president says a campaign is to be launched at its annual general meeting this week to educate farmers about the danger of using slash and burn to clear farm lands, especially given the prevailing severe drought conditions. He says the uncontrolled fires last year resulted in more than a billion dollars in losses to the agricultural sector.
Massive bush fires, supported by severe drought conditions, have destroyed hundreds of acres of farmlands and produce since May. In St Andrew alone, approximately 200 acres of farmlands with crops were destroyed as well as 400 acres of forest reserve.
Meanwhile, Grant says an immediate assessment needs to be done and an assistance programme rolled out for farmers in affected communities in St Thomas.
He is also calling for the member of parliament, the Rural Agriculture Development Authority (RADA) and the parish council to assist farmers who have been affected.
