Farmers in St Elizabeth who lost crops in a fire in August, on Thursday received supplies from the government to help them get back into full production.

The Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) says the farmers in Flagaman, Pedro Plains, lost over 10 hectares of watermelon, cantaloupes, guinea mulch and irrigation equipment in the bush fire on August 16.

The estimated damage was approximately $3.8 million.

The farmers were provided with black tanks, irrigation equipment, seeds, fertilizers and other material from the government in addition to other input products from the private sector.

Speaking at the handing over in the community on Thursday, Minister of Agriculture Pearnel Charles Jr said in addition to the supplies, the government will be improving the water supply in Pedro Plains to boost production.

He said the water project will aid the 490 registered farmers in Flagaman to meet the local demand for food and be competitive on the international market.

Mr Charles Jr also expressed the government’s desire to increase the land used for production.

He said the government is committed to making the farmers in the Flagaman and the rest of the island, resilient.