Agriculture Ministry Announces $20M Post-Hurricane Recovery Package to Revitalise Aquaculture Sector

The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, through the National Fisheries Authority (NFA), has provided a recovery package valued more than $20 million to revitalise Jamaica’s aquaculture sector following the devastating impact of Hurricane Melissa.

State Minister in the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Hon. Franklin Witter, disclosed that the initiative targets tilapia, ornamental, and oyster farmers, providing a combination of direct supplies, infrastructure grants, and technical training to strengthen national food security and advance the blue economy.

He indicated that, “$15 million was distributed to tilapia, ornamental and oyster farmers while $5 million is being used to support tilapia fry production at the aquaculture division at Twickenham Park [in St. Catherine].”

Mr. Witter was speaking during the National Tilapia Farmers’ Consultation held on Thursday (January 22) at the Caymanas Golf and Polo Resort in St. Catherine.

He noted that, to date, the Ministry has distributed 75 metric tons of tilapia feed, valued at more than $10 million, to approximately 111 registered farmers, while 160,000 tilapia fingerlings worth $1.6 million have been provided to 17 registered farmers in the western parishes most severely affected by the hurricane

This is in addition to another 200 pounds of feed, valued approximately $258,000, which will be distributed to 39 farmers throughout February.

Ornamental fish farmers also benefited from the Ministry of Agriculture’s hurricane recovery interventions, with 24 farmers receiving 1,800 feet of shade cloth and 80 pounds of fish feed valued at $2 million to support their recovery efforts.

Additionally, three farmers in Manchester and St. James will receive building grants totalling $255,000 to support the rebuilding of their operations.

Meanwhile, Mr. Witter noted that, in response to the unique challenges facing the oyster sector, the NFA has allocated $1.5 million to support farmers in Westmoreland and Hanover.

“This funding is dedicated to rebuilding oyster farms and restoring critical oyster collection systems. We’ll see 48 oyster farmers benefiting from these efforts – in Westmoreland, 24, and in Green Island, Hanover, another 24,” he pointed out.

The State Minister argued that while recovery from the hurricane is essential, building sustainable resilience and capacity is equally important.

“Our National Fisheries Authority extension teams are intensifying their field support. This includes routine farmer visits, where they provide technical advice on farm improvement, feed adjustments, harvest protocols, and water quality management. We are also supporting new emerging farmers through site evaluation, pond assessment, and consultations on pond construction,” he outlined.

Mr. Witter noted that the initiative builds on a specialised NFA training programme held last year for aspiring tilapia hatchery operators, with a specific focus on fry production. Ten active farmers participated in the course, which offered a comprehensive overview of start‑up requirements, production cycles, best practices, and modern technologies.

The State Minister also committed to strengthening the tilapia market through exhibitions at the Denbigh Agricultural, Industrial and Food Show; Seafood Festival; Jamaica Agricultural Society events; Agricultural Parish Expos, and Jamaica 4‑H Clubs activities.

“We are introducing the audience to tilapia, promoting healthy seafood consumption, and generating fresh interests in our sector,” Mr. Witter declared.