World Bank estimates Hurricane Melissa damage to agriculture at J$60 billion - Green
Published:Wednesday | December 3, 2025 | 4:29 PM
Minister of Agriculture Floyd Green has indicated that the World Bank has estimated the damage to Jamaica’s agricultural sector at J$60 billion or US$300 million.
Green, speaking at a press briefing at Jamaica House on Wednesday, said that preliminary estimates had put the damage at US$150 million.
He said that for the rest of the financial year, the government has provided some $3 billion to the sector.
The minister said that under phase one of the recovery programme, the hardest-hit areas have been mapped using drones.
He said that while farmers may not see extension officers on the ground, this is because many have been personally affected by the recent hurricane, but they will be out again shortly.
Speaking specifically about what has been done, Green said that 6,000 bags of seeds have already been given to farmers.
Also, some 2,000 bags of fertiliser have been distributed to farmers.
He said further that another 7,000 bags of seeds and 5,000 bags of fertiliser will be procured.
The minister said that $50 million worth of fertiliser will be procured specifically for yam farmers and that $50 million worth of plant materials will also be procured.
He said that greenhouse farming will also be targeted over the next three months.
Green said that his ministry is also doing free land preparation for farmers, pointing out that sections of the land will be done free.
Regarding sweet potato farmers, he said that 500,000 plants will be procured for this sector.
Regarding livestock, he said that some 858,000 animals were lost.
Noting that 700,000 broiler chickens were lost, Green said that some 100,000 broilers have been procured to restock the industry.
“We are moving to ensure that farmers can start restoration work. This will take some time, but we are well on the way to ensuring that the Jamaican people can have a good Christmas,” he said.
Green pointed out that of the $3 billion allocated for the rest of the financial year, $800 million will be used to fix farm roads.
He said that some 40 roads will be fixed in the initial phase.
The minister also gave the assurance that pig and other livestock farmers will be given what is required to get that sector of the agriculture industry back up and running.
“We will be building back better the infrastructure of the agriculture sector,” he said.
Turning to water, the minister said that 98 per cent of National Irrigation Commission customers have gotten back supplies.
“We will also be focusing on the cleaning of canals. Already 20 per cent of these canals have been done,” he said.
The fishing sector, he said, is also receiving attention.
According to the minister, 900 rolls of wire have already been distributed.
Another 2,000 rolls of wire will be distributed in the next two weeks.
The minister also disclosed that ice has been distributed to fish farmers and generators have been sent to some areas.
For fishermen who have lost identification and licences, these can be reissued free of cost, the minister said.
Green also said that his ministry is looking to secure a veterinary field hospital.- Lester Hinds
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