Minister Green Hails Farmers’ Resilience in Driving Post-Hurricane Agricultural Recovery

Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Hon. Floyd Green, says Jamaican farmers have already begun driving the recovery of agricultural production in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, demonstrating resilience and determination despite widespread losses.

Speaking during a handover ceremony at Kristen Ambersly’s Broiler Chicken Farm in Holland Village, St. Elizabeth, on Tuesday (December 16), Minister Green said early signs of recovery are evident across several farming communities, only weeks after Hurricane Melissa’s landfall on October 28.

“Already we are seeing crops such as lettuce and cucumber returning in good numbers,” the Minister said, noting visible improvements in agricultural output across several parishes.

The Minister said he has also observed the return of additional crops in the fields, highlighting the speed with which farmers have resumed operations. “I tell you, I am seeing sweet corn farms coming back in,” he said.

Minister Green attributed the early recovery to the commitment of farmers, who continue to work despite repeated challenges.

“No matter the disaster, we get back out there… because, no matter what happens, people have to eat,” he declared, explaining that this determination is rooted in the essential role farmers play in sustaining the population.

The Agriculture Minister said this spirit of resilience has been evident in every parish he has visited since the hurricane.

“Whether it be Clarendon, Trelawny, South St. James or our own St. Elizabeth, right after Hurricane Melissa, you see farmers back out there,” he stated.

Mr. Green said the pace of recovery underscores the importance of providing timely support to farmers after disasters, in order to sustain food availability and economic stability.

He emphasised that rebuilding the agricultural sector is a collective endeavour, requiring the partnership of farmers and the Government.

“We know that we will build our agricultural sector back… but we have to do it together,” Mr. Green stated.

He reiterated that the Ministry’s recovery interventions are intended to complement and strengthen farmers’ own efforts to restore production.

“We [came] with chicken, with feed. We will return to the training, and we will work with you to ensure that we grow agriculture again,” the Minister said.

Mr. Green emphasised that Jamaica’s ability to recover swiftly after disasters is anchored in the strength of its farming communities, while underscoring the importance of partnership in rebuilding livelihoods and safeguarding national food security.