$3-Billion Recovery Programme in Progress for Agricultural and Fisheries Sectors

A $3-billion recovery programme is being implemented by the Government as part of efforts to restore the agricultural and fisheries sectors, following widespread damage caused by Hurricane Melissa.

Speaking at a hybrid Recovery and Resilience Forum, hosted by the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) on December 17, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Hon. Floyd Green, said the response is now firmly in motion, with multiple agencies activated across the island.

“We are now in the process of implementing a $3-billion response programme through our various agencies,” Minister Green said.

He explained that the programme includes coordinated support for both crop and fisheries subsectors, which were severely affected by the hurricane.

“Over 3,000 boats have been damaged, and almost all our fishers lost almost all their pots. Probably over 90 per cent of the pots at sea are no longer there,” the Minister said.

According to Minister Green, targeted interventions have already allowed some fishers to resume activity within weeks of the event.

He noted that recovery efforts extend beyond immediate relief and involve coordinated action across the Ministry’s portfolio agencies.

“Every agency has been activated and is now on the ground,” the Minister pointed out.

Mr. Green outlined that support is being delivered through several channels, including the National Fisheries Authority (NFA), the National Irrigation Commission (NIC), the Agro-Invest Corporation (AIC), and RADA, with each agency addressing specific areas of need.

He pointed to improved preparedness by the NIC, which allowed for faster restoration of irrigation services after the hurricane.

“At my last check, which was about four weeks after Hurricane Melissa, we were at 80 per cent of our systems operational, serving over 90 per cent of our customers,” he noted.

The Minister said resilience-building is now a central pillar of the Government’s disaster response strategy.

“We will continue to put in the institutional framework around disaster to build resilience and ensure that we are prepared for these weather events,” he continued.

The Minister said that the scale of the damage means recovery will take time, noting that more than 70,000 farmers were impacted by Hurricane Melissa.

“Each week… we will reduce the number of those who have not yet received some form of support,” he said.

He reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to supporting farmers and fishers affected by Hurricane Melissa, assuring that assistance will continue to be rolled out as recovery efforts progress across the island.