Applications for government’s interest free loans and grants to help farmers repair or replace damaged infrastructure and equipment and buy replacement livestock is open.

Application forms will be available at all post offices and from the Department of Agriculture’s Lower Valley complex, and farmers must again submit the completed forms to the DOA’s offices in Lower Valley.

‘We encourage all farmers that suffered loss or damage to their infrastructure, equipment and livestock to apply without delay as the deadline for applications is Friday, 27 May,’ said the Department of Agriculture’s Marketing Co-ordinator Brian Crichlow.

This financial help scheme is part of a comprehensive government assistance programme under the auspices of the DOA, and is designed to help the agricultural community get back on its feet after suffering extensive damage from Hurricane Ivan.

The DOA has already launched the initial phases of the programme including the issue of free and subsidized planting materials, subsidized livestock feed, fertilizers and soil ameliorants, as well as offering help with farm clean up, restoration, resuscitation of fruit trees, fence repairs and land cultivation services.

‘We had a positive response from farmers and backyard gardeners taking advantage of this help we are offering,’ said Chief Agricultural and Veterinary Officer Dr. Alfred Benjamin. ‘The monetary help will however be limited to farmers who were actively engaged in agricultural production at the time of the hurricane, and the DOA will be careful in its distribution of funds to ensure that all qualified applicants receive some reasonable level of assistance,’ he added.

Explaining the application process for the loans and grants he said: ‘Each application will be evaluated individually and the amount of financial assistance will be determined based on the extent of losses suffered. The assistance will be a combination of an interest free loan and a grant of up to a maximum of 50 per cent of the total amount that is approved for each qualified applicant.’

Applicants for loans and grants must be Caymanian or Caymanian status holders; must prove that the buildings, structures or equipment they wish to replace were being used in productive farming at the time of the storm; must own or have verifiable secure tenure for the land on which the farming operation is located, and must have planning permission to conduct the type of farming operation or erect the structures on their land.

For help

For more information on all aspects of the financial assistance available under the Agricultural Sector Assistance Programme, including help with completing application forms or any other questions about the programme, call Brian Crichlow or Alexander Benn at 947-3090 or visit the Lower Valley Agricultural Complex.