The Principal Agriculture Officer and Coordinator of the National Agriculture Operation Centre, Uraia Waibuta is calling on farmers around the country to plant short term traditional crops like Kumala and Cassava which matures in 3 months time.

He said crops submerged for more than three days should be harvested straight away as rotting will take place as soon as flood water recedes.

Waibuta also said that farmers should keep an eye on their farms on a daily basis to avoid any outbreak of pests and diseases.

Meanwhile, a team of Agriculture officials are now out in the field carrying out assessments in areas affected by Tropical Cyclone Tomas.

Permanent Secretary for Agriculture, Colonel Mason Smith said planting materials and seeds will be given to farmers who have been affected the most so as to help them first in terms of food security.