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The Office of Disaster Recovery has announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has obligated $715,091 in funding to the Virgin Islands Department of Agriculture (D.O.A). These funds will assist with repairs to animal pens, the veterinary building, and abattoir for damages caused by Hurricane Maria in 2017, the O.D.R. said.
At this time, livestock is not extensively housed on the grounds of the D.O.A. When construction is complete, the department will be able to bring pigs, sheep, chickens, cattle, and goats back on site. Having these animals on site will give the department the tools they need to offer training opportunities to local farmers and the community. These improvements will also help to support the functions of the abattoir and its operations on St. Croix.
“The Department of Agriculture is working diligently to provide much needed agricultural services to the community. This obligation will give us the funds to begin the process of permanently reconstructing these facilities to meet the USDA Food and Safety Inspection Standards,” said Agriculture Commissioner, Positive T.A. Nelson.
Increasing the Dept. of Agriculture's capacity to carry out the business of agriculture is essential to creating and maintaining a supplemental food supply. “The Office of Disaster Recovery continues to support the [Dept. of Agriculture] in their efforts to restore the department to its full functionality,” Adrienne L. Williams-Octalien, Office of Disaster Recovery director. “The VIDA has 11 additional projects going through the process for funding for which we are working closely with FEMA to secure the necessary funding to assist VIDA in its restoration.”
D.O.A. will be soliciting contractors to perform the required services. To be notified about this and other disaster recovery solicitations, visit http://www.usviodr.com/doing-business-with-odr/.
