32 Farmers In Litchfield, Trelawny, Receive Insurance Payouts To Support Hurricane Recovery

Approximately 32 farmers in Litchfield, Trelawny, have received insurance payouts under the GraceKennedy (GK) Weather Protection Programme to support their recovery following Hurricane Melissa.

The payments were distributed on Wednesday (November 19) during a joint visit to the community by the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) Connect team, together with representatives of the GK Insurance Group.

GK General Insurance Client and Partner Services Manager, Orrette Duncan, described the moment as “bittersweet”, noting that the programme – implemented in partnership with RADA – has provided $2.8 million in coverage to affected farmers whose crops were damaged by Hurricane Melissa.

“In terms of being bitter, Hurricane Melissa had passed and left its impact upon us; but sweet in the fact that you are able to receive some measure of compensation through our product,” he stated.

Approximately 60 additional farmers registered for the GK Weather Protection Programme during the handover, a response that Mr. Duncan noted reflects growing awareness of the importance of agricultural insurance in safeguarding livelihoods.

“So it does show that farmers are recognising that the product does work, and that they have seen the actual evidence with farmers who would have been impacted receiving their benefits. So, quite a few of them are interested in ensuring that, should something happen again,” he said.

Beneficiary farmer, Una Powell, who enrolled in the weather protection insurance scheme during a RADA meeting in September, expressed her delight at receiving coverage through the initiative.

“I’m so glad and happy. If it weren’t for them, I wouldn’t receive this cheque,” she said.

More than 134 farmers across the island have received compensation through the GK Weather Protection Plan. In addition to the $2.8 million disbursed to RADA farmers, GK General Insurance has already provided more than $2.2 million in payouts to 30 female farmers from the Jamaica Network of Rural Women Producers (JNRWP).

Meanwhile, members of the RADA Connect team carried out damage assessments and facilitated registration services for farmers in Litchfield.

Parish Agricultural Manager for Trelawny, Courtney Taylor, assured members of RADA’s commitment to fostering redevelopment.

“We are committed, we are dedicated, and we are willing to help you, the farmers, to get back on your feet,” he said.

Members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force Agricultural Protection Branch were also in attendance.

Rural Agricultural Protection Branch Inspector, Orville Bushay, affirmed that members of the JCF remain committed to expanding police support for farmers in the area.

“We saw it important to visit to support them as our stakeholders, as well as to make ourselves familiar and introduce ourselves,” he stated.