G-G Outlines Post-Hurricane Melissa Strategy for Agriculture Sector

The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining has listed priority areas of focus for the 2026-2027 financial year, to boost the sector’s resilience after Hurricane Melissa’s devastation.

These included advancing the work to establish a national food reserve, as well as the Minerals Institute, greenhouse clusters and new Agro-Parks.

The Ministry also plans to rehabilitate six fishing beaches and 70 farm roads, implement youth start-up incentives, establish quarry material depots and begin national landslide hazard mapping.

The plans were outlined by Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen, during the delivery of the Throne Speech at the ceremonial opening of Parliament held at Gordon House on February 12.

The initiatives will build on strategies implemented during the 2025/26 financial year where, up to September, domestic crop production was on track for a record 930,000 tonnes, while bauxite output rose by 10 per cent to 4.3 million tonnes.

“Hurricane Melissa, however, caused major damage, prompting an intensive recovery and modernisation drive. Through the $3 billion Hurricane Melissa Disaster Recovery Programme, the support to impact over 70,000 farmers and fishers is ongoing,” the Governor-General said.

The actions taken so far included restoring 4,600 hectares of farmland; distributing 140 million gallons of water; implementing a $40 million lease moratorium; waiving fishing licence fees for 1,008 fishers; preparing 1,625 hectares of land for over 2,000 farmers; and providing fertiliser, seeds, planting materials, livestock support, and beach rehabilitation.

“A further $180 million restored coastal infrastructure and supported conch and lobster fishers,” the Governor-General noted.

Despite the setbacks due to the category five hurricane, the sector achieved a major milestone, as the Essex Valley Cold Storage and Agro-Processing facility in St. Elizabeth was officially opened last week.

It will expand storage, processing, and marketing capacity, while cutting post-harvest losses, and boosting resilience in the parish.

Other achievements included the advancement in water security and mineral development, as well as the $1.5-billion Parnassus Irrigation System delivering 13.6 kilometres of new pipelines serving 315 hectares of farmland.

In addition, limestone exports tripled to 750,000 tonnes and extensive land rehabilitation and community infrastructure upgrades supported over 8,000 residents.

As for the legislative process, the Praedial Larceny (Amendment) Act was passed and work on the Geological Survey Act is advanced.