$29.5B in crop and livestock losses forces Jamaica to look abroad for food

Agriculture Minister Floyd Green has warned that Jamaica will need to rely on external sources to fill anticipated gaps in critical food items, including eggs, fruits, and vegetables, in the coming months.

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Speaking in Parliament on Tuesday, Green said the agriculture sector has been severely impacted by Hurricane Melissa, with preliminary assessments estimating financial losses at J$29.5 billion.

“Approximately 41,390 hectares of farmland have been affected, impacting over 70,000 farmers,” Green said. “Additionally, around 1,250,000 animals, including small ruminants, poultry, and cattle, have been lost due to the hurricane.”

He provided a breakdown of the damage to domestic crops, reporting that approximately 32,400 hectares of vegetable lines were affected, resulting in estimated losses of J$8.8 billion and impacting 47,500 farmers. Crops most significantly affected include sweet pepper, tomato, lettuce, cabbage, and carrot. Vine crops such as melon and cantaloupe also sustained significant damage.

Banana and plantain crops, covering 2,450 hectares, suffered losses estimated at J$2.9 billion, affecting 2,760 farmers. Fruit trees over 1,870 hectares were damaged, with losses of J$337 million impacting 4,500 farmers. Tuber crops, including yams and cassava, covering 4,670 hectares, faced losses estimated at J$4.5 billion, affecting 6,120 farmers.

Coffee trees sustained approximately 40% damage, resulting in a 40–45% loss in production valued at J$800 million.

The poultry sector was hit particularly hard. Green said the industry lost 458,000 layers, more than 50% of the country’s laying flock, and 780,000 broilers, totaling over 1.2 million chickens and J$2 billion in damages.

“Jamaica has also lost 3,560 small ruminants, 5,600 pigs, and 2,850 cattle, with combined losses of J$3.1 billion,” Green added. The apiculture sector has also been affected, with over 2,000 bee colonies lost, amounting to J$74.5 million in damages.

To address the crisis, Green said the Agricultural Disaster Recovery Task Force, led by Michael Pryce, was reactivated. The task force, originally established following Hurricane Beryl to centrally coordinate assessments and relief, is now managing Hurricane Melissa recovery efforts. “We ensure transparency, optimal resource distribution and timely delivery on ground,” he said.

The minister added that the Food and Agriculture Organization and Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture have pledged initial support of US$30,000, and United Way launched its “Restoration and Rehabilitation Fund for Agriculture” on Tuesday. “The government would welcome any support,” he said.

To jumpstart recovery, Green said a direct allocation of J$450 million from the remaining Production Incentive Programme will be redirected toward emergency recovery efforts, including replanting, restocking, and land preparation. This is part of a broader J$3 billion plan.

Additional recovery measures announced by Green include:

• Distribution of 40 million seeds this week through the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) network.

• J$80 million for emergency procurement, including J$50 million for seeds and J$30 million for agrochemicals.

• Free land preparation by RADA for the next six months.

• Free seeds and planting materials at Bodles and RADA nurseries for the next three months.

• Focus on early planting, especially in eastern Jamaica and agro parks.

• Initial J$5 million from the Sugar Company of Jamaica for land preparation for farmers on SCJ land.

• J$10 million to provide urgent support to apiculture through supplemental food such as sugar.

• Funds for Members of Parliament ranging from J$1 million to J$3 million to help farmers depending on severity.

• J$40 million to help livestock and poultry farmers recover.

• Moratorium on lease payments to farmers in agroparks.

Given the scale of the losses, Green said external sources will need to be tapped to safeguard Jamaica’s food security. “Coming out of an egg production meeting, the agriculture ministry will have to take immediate action to facilitate the importation of table eggs,” he said.

Green also noted that the ministry is closely monitoring the country’s protein supply and will take appropriate action where necessary to fill identified gaps. In addition, he said, external sources will be used to stabilize supply and protect household food security for selected fruits and vegetables such as tomato, lettuce, cabbage, sweet pepper, carrot, and papaya, based on dietary importance, stock levels, and anticipated gaps over the next two months.