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Agriculture Minister Floyd Green
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Prince Moore reports
The Ministry of Agriculture is reporting that preliminary estimates show more than J$20 billion in losses across the agriculture and fisheries sectors during the passage of Hurricane Melissa.
Agriculture Minister Floyd Green described the situation as catastrophic, noting that Hurricane Melissa has delivered a crippling blow to farmers, fishers and rural communities whose livelihoods are now at extreme risk.
The ministry says early reports indicate near total devastation in key crop lines, including an estimated 90 per cent loss of banana and plantain and significant destruction across vegetables, tubers, particularly yam, and fruit trees.
It says preliminary livestock assessments show major disruption, including the loss of approximately 40 per cent of the layer flock.
Fisheries have also been severely hit, with 25 per cent of the island's fishing fleet destroyed, and 41 per cent of aquaculture farmers reporting damage.
Minister Green noted that these figures represent only the initial assessments, and that teams are working at pace to complete full evaluations by Monday, November 10.
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has deployed a disaster assessment specialist to support the process and help guide the technical response.
Mr. Green says the ministry has already activated its recovery plan to stabilise incomes and begin restoration across the worst affected communities.
He says immediate actions include support to salvage crops through critical inputs such as fertilisers and other treatments, emergency sourcing of inputs using special procurement channels, and the strengthening of market linkages to ensure that available supplies are rapidly absorbed.
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