HONOLULU — The U.S. Department of Agriculture has designated the Big Island a primary natural disaster area, because of losses farmers suffered from volcanic emissions this year.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said Monday in a Washington news release that he and President Obama understand the emissions from Kilauea volcano caused serious harm to farms.
Vilsack says the designation will provide help to hundreds of farmers who suffered significant production losses in the cut flower and fresh produce industries.
The Big Island was designated a natural disaster area Nov. 24. The action makes qualified Big Island farm operators eligible for low interest emergency loans from the department’s Farm Service Agency.