The Agriculture officials began distributing seeds to the farmers in Rabi and Wainigadru after carrying out damage assessment surveys in Cakaudrove.
 
Vegetable seeds such as Chinese cabbage, French bean, long bean, tomatoes and eggplant have been distributed to farmers in the affected areas to kick start their food security program.
 
The Acting Senior Agriculture Officer (Cakaudrove) Tepola Seniloli said that the areas in Tawake, Saqani, Coastal Vaturova, Cakaudrove Vanua, Cakaudrove District, Rabi, Kioa, Wailevu, Natewa and Tunuloa have been badly affected.

She said matured Yaqona and cassava has been completely destroyed and even the newly planted crops cannot recover due to the damage.

She said even breadfruit did not escape from the wrath of Hurricane Tomas which will see a food shortage there.
 
She said the Cakaudrove agriculture officers will be touring areas and advising farmers on their next course of action because of the importance of securing food security from next week.
 
The Ministry is calling on the farmers to plant kumala, cassava, dalonitana and Tivoli which can withstand good storability.
 
A full agriculture damage assessment report for the areas affected by Cyclone Tomas will be handed to Cabinet this week.