KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – Agriculture Minister Floyd Green has described the damage to the agricultural sector as “catastrophic”, noting that it has delivered a devastating blow to farmers, fishers, and rural communities whose livelihoods are now at extreme risk.
In a statement on Thursday, Green also provided a preliminary estimate of damage due to Hurricane Melissa, exceeding J$20 billion.
He added that technocrats within the Ministry noted that final figures are expected to rise as several severely affected areas remain inaccessible.
According to Green, early reports indicate near-total devastation in key crop lines, including an estimated 90 percent loss of banana and plantain, and significant destruction of vegetables, tubers (particularly yams), and fruit trees.
Preliminary livestock assessments indicate significant disruption, including the loss of approximately 40% of the layer flock.
Fisheries have also been severely hit, with 25 percent of the island’s fishing fleet destroyed and 41 percent of aquaculture farmers reporting damage.
The Minister also noted that these figures represent only the initial assessments and that teams are working at pace to complete full evaluations by Monday.
He said the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has deployed a disaster assessment specialist to support the process and help guide the technical response.
Green emphasized that the Ministry had already activated its recovery plan to stabilize incomes and begin restoration across the worst-affected communities.
He said immediate actions include supporting crop salvaging with critical inputs such as fertilizers and other treatments, emergency sourcing of inputs through special procurement channels, and strengthening market linkages to ensure available supplies are rapidly absorbed.
The Agriculture Minister lamented that many families depend directly on the sector and that their ability to earn has been severely compromised.
He assured that the Ministry will move urgently to support recovery and to ensure that farmers and fishers can rebuild.
The Minister said he will update parliament next week on the full extent of the damage and present the programme of response.
He also reaffirmed that the Government remains committed to restoring the productive base of the agriculture and fisheries sector and ensuring that affected communities are supported throughout the recovery effort.
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