Tropical storm Odette that lashed the southwest of the country on Saturday night, has caused extensive material damage, reports Listin Diario newspaper. The provinces of Barahona and Baoruco were worst hit, with damage to crops totaling just short of RD$294 million. The Ministry of Agriculture estimates that as much as 85% of the plantain crop in the area was devastated, although the final figures are not yet available. Coffee was also affected, on the eve of the harvest season. The ministry announced it would organize farmers’ work brigades to rehabilitate the damage.