Rapid farm recovery plan unveiled

The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries has launched a fast-track recovery plan to revive food production following Hurricane Melissa, with immediate focus on parishes identified as critical to national food security.

Agriculture Minister Floyd Green said North East St Catherine, Portland, St Thomas, and parts of Manchester and Clarendon will lead the rebound. He addressed hundreds of farmers during a tour of vegetable, poultry and livestock holdings devastated by the storm.

“Our short-term strategy is to focus on parishes with well-established farmers and available land that can go into production right away,” Green said, as he distributed seeds and fertilisers at a field visit and farmers’ meeting, adding, “We are starting that process here in North East St Catherine.”

The tour marked Green’s first official parish visit to assess the hurricane’s impact. He said St Catherine farmers will play a pivotal role in restoring national food supplies.

The ministry has already set aside $40 million worth of vegetable seeds, with 450 pounds delivered, Wednesday, to the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) for free distribution. The donation includes pumpkin, cow peas, corn, sorrel and West Indies red pepper, with untreated seeds also provided to support organic farming. More than 400 farmers are expected to benefit, with 160 acres targeted for cultivation.

Green said Thursday that another $50 million worth of seeds will be procured for islandwide distribution, targeting 1,000 hectares for immediate food and vegetable cultivation.

“We are going to be focusing on parishes like St Catherine, Portland, St Thomas and some of the South belt, Manchester, Clarendon and northern St Ann,” he said.

As part of the recovery package, farmers using RADA’s tractor service will receive free land preparation for six months. Non-functional tractors will be repaired, and private operators contracted to expand support. Walk-behind motorised tractors will be provided for hillside farms.

Turning to poultry, Green announced plans to purchase 100,000 broiler chicks for small backyard farmers, who supply 35 per cent of Jamaica’s chicken market. “We are not just doing broilers, we are doing feed, but importantly we are going to rebuild the chicken houses,” he said. The ministry also intends to boost egg production by supplying layers to affected farmers.

Greenhouse rehabilitation, farm-road repairs and increased access to plant materials and fertilisers will also form part of the wider framework.

Preliminary estimates put agricultural damage at $29.5 billion, with 70,000 farmers affected and 41,000 hectares of farmland damaged.

Additionally, approximately 1,251,410 animals – including small ruminants, poultry, and cattle – have been lost.

Despite the scale of destruction, Green said the ministry is prepared for a swift rebound. “We are up to the task to put food on the plates of Jamaicans very quickly,” he said.

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