A farmer whose €300,000 potato and barley crop was left under two feet of water after the recent flooding has had his worse fears come through.
Seamus Lynch was left devastated when he arrived at his 125 acres of crops at Porthall in Lifford on August 22nd last.
A combination of a spring tide and the torrential rain which lashed
the north-west left many parts of his lands on the banks of the River Foyle waist-high in water.
He spent up to €10,000 erecting several pumps on his land in the hope of saving the crops.
He worked around the clock with friends trying to clear the water from the land in an effort to preserve the crops.
But last night Seamus revealed to Donegal Daily how much of his crop had now been destroyed.
“It’s ruined – both the potatoes and the barley. I have checked on several different parts of the crop and it’s not good.
Seamus Lynch in one of the fields where his crops have been destroyed due to the massive floods. (North West Newspix)
“I estimate that I’ve lost 65 acres of potatoes and another 60 acres of barley. That’s a huge amount. They’re worth about €300,000 in total.
“We’ve worked so hard to try and save it but it has all been for nothing now. It’s just so hard to take,” he said.
And now Seamus fears that he will never receive compensation to make up in any way for his losses.
Some of his fellow farmers hit by the massive floods have been allowed to sign up for an aid scheme.
Under that scheme, announced earlier this week by Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed, farmers can avail of up to €15,000 in compensation.
They can only avail of this cash for uninsured losses in the areas of to a) loss of livestock, b) loss/damage of conserved hay or silage, and c) clean-up of damaged agricultural lands and d) repairs to damaged fencing.
However, Seamus fears he is one of up to five arable farmers in Donegal hit by the floods who will not be in line for compensation.
He added “I am aware of the flood relief for farmers up to €15,000 but that does not include crops which were lost.
“I am hopeful that the Minister and his Department review our situation and see for themselves all we have lost.”
It is understood the Department may review the flood relief scheme for arable farmers but this may take into account historic conditions of their land and where they are situated.
aid package for farmers in his constituency affected by the August 22 flood.
The funding stream follows previous schemes announced by the Department of Social Protection for households and the Department of Defence for small businesses, voluntary groups and sporting organisations.
Today’s launch of application forms to local farmers follows the announcement of the scheme by Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed last week.
Announcing the DAFM Flood Damage Relief Measure, Minister of State McHugh said: “All strands of Government and all Ministers in Cabinet have worked hard to support local people in Donegal in a time of great need.
“The remnants of Hurricane Gert hit north Donegal on the night of August 22, hitting Inishowen particularly hard. The storm sent millions of litres of water through parts of the county and caused tremendous damage to homes and communities. This Government responded immediately to the crisis and that included a report compiled by Teagasc on the damage inflicted on farms.
“This latest measure from the Government allows farmers access to funds up the maximum allowable under EU regulations, €15,000 for any uninsured losses in the areas of to a) loss of livestock, b) loss/damage of conserved hay or silage, and c) clean-up of damaged agricultural lands and d) repairs to damaged fencing.
“I want to thank Minister Creed and his officials who have worked diligently on producing a simplified application form which is now available on the Department’s website.”
Minister McHugh also welcomed a short closing date for the administration of the scheme of September 29.
“This is to allow applications to be processed more quickly so that farmers can receive the funding as soon as possible and begin to fix the damage to their farms,” said Minister McHugh.
“I have met many of the farmers affected and I am continuing to talk to them about this scheme and the ongoing work of Government and the lead agency Donegal County Council and our ongoing response to the flood.”
The Minister said the farm relief scheme is in addition to supports being provided by other Departments, as part of the coordinated Government response to the flooding in the Inishowen Peninsula.
The experienced farmer knew there was no time to waste and set about
sourcing water pumps to get the water off his land in a bid to save
his crops which also included barley and corn.
He erected seven pumps which have been working around the clock to get
the water off the land.
A team also dug trenches to allow the water get back into the River Foyle.
Seamus’ future is in the lap of the Gods and he will know in around
two weeks time if he has managed to save the crop.
The cost could be huge with each acre of his 65 acres of potatoes
worth up to €5,000 an acre as well as barley and corn worth up to a
total crop of almost €500,000.
A frustrated Seamus said “It’s very much a salvage job, just to see
what we can save. We have been pumping out water steady for the past
number of days.
“It’s just so hard to take it all in what has happened. It’s been a
nightmare to be honest. We just have to keep sticking with it.
“We will know the full extent of the damage and what we have been able
to save in a fortnight’s time,” he said.
