Growth & Jobs | ‘I’m not giving up’

DEVON CARRIDICE, a farmer of Toll Gate in Clarendon, is now working to rebuild his livelihood after Hurricane Melissa wiped out most of his crops and severely disrupted his operations. He is in the process of not only restoring but expanding operations in response to the anticipated food shortage because of the widespread destruction of farms in western Jamaica.

“I was farming around 12 acres, but this time we are going to do around 60 acres,” he disclosed, adding that he has partnered with another farmer to achieve the extended production.

Determined to recover from the hurricane, Carridice has begun replanting and reorganising his farm with the support he has received in the aftermath of the hurricane.

“Every time I try to push ahead, something goes wrong [but] I’m not giving up,” he declared.

Carridice lost 75 per cent of his crops, including corn, sweet potato, dasheen, cassava, and scotch bonnet pepper. The hurricane also destroyed his fruit trees, including coconut and breadfruit trees that were also a source of income, further deepening the financial blow.

Like many farmers, Carridice has been hit repeatedly by hurricanes over the years. He was severely affected by Hurricane Beryl last year and had not yet recovered from those losses when Hurricane Melissa struck.

Despite these setbacks, the support from JN Bank which had provided a loan to help him restart after Hurricane Beryl, has renewed his hope and enabled him to start over again.

“I feel so good about it. I appreciate it a lot because there is no other to come and help,” he said, adding that his client relations officer, Kimberley Britton, from JN Bank Small Business Loans Division, checked in on him at his farm right after the hurricane.

With the restructuring of his loan, he is now able to rehire workers and purchase essential inputs to restart the farm. He noted that the financial support will help him get back on his feet much faster than if he were doing it on his own.

As he works to rebuild, Carridice is focusing on a strategy that will help him recover as soon as possible.

“I going to plant some short-term crops so I can make some money quickly,” he said.

He related that he is planting cucumber, melon, pepper, cabbage, carrot and corn to ensure a quick turnover, while also planning to reintroduce long-term crops such as dasheen, sweet potato and cassava.

Gillian Hyde, deputy managing director of JN Bank, stressed that Carridice’s story reflects the admirable commitment of many Jamaican farmers.

“His refusal to give up farming, even after multiple setbacks, is truly commendable. His proactive approach to restarting his operations underscores the strength and perseverance of our farmers. That kind of determination is what drives Jamaica’s agricultural sector, and JN Bank stands ready to help farmers like him rise again and build back better,” she said.

Hyde pointed out that scores of business operators like Carridice, who were hit hard by Hurricane Melissa, are receiving critical support through targeted relief measures to help stabilise their operations. She shared that the institution has been offering payment holidays or restructuring of small business loans for clients, on a case-by-case basis, whose enterprises were disrupted by the hurricane. These measures, she noted, were introduced immediately after the hurricane to ensure business continuity.

“Our overarching goal is to keep small businesses viable throughout the recovery period. These operators are the backbone of their communities, and if they can stay afloat, they can continue providing services and jobs. Our support is, therefore, focused on giving them the financial flexibility they need to rebuild.”

“The payment holiday gives our clients immediate breathing room, allowing them to focus fully on restoring their operations,” she explained.

Hyde disclosed that JN Bank is looking at various options to include adjusting repayment arrangements for business owners who require more extensive support, which includes extending the loan term or modifying the repayment schedule to make repayments more manageable. She added that the approach is highly personalised as each business faces unique challenges.

“Some clients simply need more time while others need a different overall arrangement. It’s about helping them rebuild at a pace that is realistic and sustainable,” she emphasised, adding that the bank remains committed to providing the relief entrepreneurs need to bounce back.