The Ministry of Agriculture has started distributing seeds and planting materials to farmers affected by Cyclone Tomas.

The devastating cyclone caused havoc to the agricultural sector in Vanua Levu, Taveuni and the Lomaiviti and Lau groups.

Permanent Secretary Mason Smith said initial reports from his officers indicate substantive damage to the sector, mainly to rootcrops and vegetables.

According to Smith as a result the ministry will distribute seeds and planting materials to the Lau group today.

He said the planting materials include 137,000 kumala cuttings and 1,000 packets each of tomatoes and eggplants.

Other seed varieties are also being sourced for distribution in future.

He said in addition the ministry has also deployed 21 officers to Lomaiviti and Lau groups.

They will assist in the distribution of the planting materials and advise farmers on proper planting practices.

Smith said another 24 officers and six vehicles have been deployed to the northern division to reinforce staff already on the ground.

These staff from the central division will assist in the distribution of the planting materials.

He said distribution of planting materials to Lomaiviti will begin next week.

Smith added that the Ministry was focusing on short-term crops in a bid to normalise the supply situation of the crops affected by the cyclone.

He also encouraged the farmers to use planting materials already with them while awaiting Government assistance.
 
Meanwhile, the ministry continues to operate its Operations Centre to assist the affected farmers with their needs mainly on agriculture.

The Centre, based at the ministry's headquarters in Raiwaqa, operates from 8.00am to midnight daily including weekends.