Grenada's agricultural sector has suffered yet another battering from a tropical cyclone. On Saturday, Felix ripped through the island, not causing any major damage but severely battering the country's agriculture sector, bringing some farmers back to a post Ivan and Emily stage. A preliminary assessment conducted by the Ministry of Agriculture was presented by the Minister of Agriculture Gregory Bowen on Monday. According to Bowen, while the strength of Felix could not compare to that of Ivan and Emily, the sector received a pounding, both psychologically and physically. The preliminary report from the Ministry indicates that 30 to 35 percent of bananas were destroyed by breakage at the mid point, plantains 25 to 30 percent, and other food crops 45 percent, mainly corn and yam. Two of the country’s vital export products, cocoa and nutmeg, also received a battering from Felix. According to the Agriculture Minister, while there no physical damage, a few small branches were broken and the flowers were blown away, just when the farmers have begun to rehabilitate after Ivan and Emily. Fruits crops too were not spared and 80 percent of mangoes fell to the ground, golden apples 50 percent and avocados 30 percent. The report also indicated a 50 percent loss in pawpaw crops which was destroyed by breakage and toppling, vegetables by erosion and heavy rain 20 percent island wide, with the highest number being from St Andrew. The Minister has given an assurance to farmers that government will concentrate on assistance. Reprinted from Caribbean Net News caribbeannetnews.com