By The Star Staff
Puerto Rico’s agricultural sector suffered massive damages during the passage of Tropical Ernesto this week.
Agriculture, a vital part of Puerto Rico’s economy, was one of the sectors hit hardest by Ernesto, which has since strengthened into a hurricane. The severity of crop damage, to the extent that it had been determined by early Thursday, was reported by Agriculture Secretary Ramón González Beiro.
González Beiro said the damage sustained by the coffee crop, which has not yet been fully evaluated, could be significant with the harvest about to begin.
Regarding the recovery of farmers, the official has pledged to provide them with support, instilling a sense of optimism for the mitigation of losses.
Puerto Rico’s agricultural sector includes small family farms, large livestock operations, and plantations. In 2022, the island’s total agricultural sales were $703 million, with increased sales of poultry, coffee, plantains, bananas and other fruit. However, agriculture only supports less than 15% of Puerto Rico’s food supply, and the island imports 80% of its food. As a result, Puerto Rico’s agriculture is vulnerable to natural disasters such tropical storms and drought, which can damage crops and delay shipments from the mainland.
The principal food crops grown in Puerto Rico include starchy vegetables such as root crops, plantains and legumes, such as pigeon peas and lentils, along with horticultural products, such as tomatoes, peppers and fruits also being produced to a lesser degree.
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