Madam Speaker, as I visited the communities hardest hit by Hurricane Melissa, the devastation was unlike anything our sector—or our nation—has experienced in living memory. The destruction surpasses even Hurricane Gilbert of 1988. Today, many Jamaicans remain without roofs, food, or water. Farmers and fishers have lost their livelihoods as farms lie flattened and boats and gear destroyed.

Yet, despite this hardship, the spirit of the Jamaican people endures. As we say, “from there is life, there is hope,” and “wah nuh dead, nuh dash it weh.” The resilience of our farmers and fishers fuels our determination to rebuild and ensure that food remains on the nation’s table.

It is in this context that I outline the impact of Hurricane Melissa and the Ministry’s strategic plan for recovery.

Impact of Hurricane Melissa on the Agriculture and Fisheries Sectors

On Tuesday, October 28, 2025, Hurricane Melissa made landfall on Jamaica’s south-western coast as a Category 5 hurricane with sustained winds exceeding 260 km/h. The parishes of Westmoreland, St. James, Hanover, and St. Elizabeth—some of our most productive agricultural regions—absorbed the worst of the storm. These impacts threaten food security, price stability, and rural livelihoods.

Before the hurricane, the sector was on track to surpass the 2022 domestic crop record of 846,000 tonnes by 10%, reaching an estimated 930,000 tonnes. That progress is now at risk.

This event underscores the vulnerability of Small Island Developing States and the urgent need to strengthen resilience.

Overall Impact

Preliminary assessments conducted with RADA, NFA, NIC, the Banana Board, and others show:

• 41,390 hectares of farmland affected

• Over 70,000 farmers impacted

• 1,251,410 animals lost, including small ruminants, poultry, and cattle

• Total agricultural losses estimated at J$29.5 billion

Crop Damage

• Domestic crops: 32,400 hectares lost; J$8.8 billion in damages; 47,500 farmers affected.
  Major losses include sweet pepper, tomato, lettuce, cabbage, carrot, melon, and cantaloupe.

• Banana & plantain: 2,450 hectares lost; J$2.9 billion in damages.

• Fruit trees: 1,870 hectares damaged; J$337 million in losses.

• Tubers (yam, cassava, etc.): 4,670 hectares affected; J$4.5 billion in damages.

• Coffee: 40% tree damage and 40–45% production loss valued at J$800 million.

• Regulatory crops: J$833.8 million in damages, excluding ginger and turmeric.

• Sugar industry: J$1 billion in losses.

Livestock Damage

• Poultry: 458,000 layers and 780,000 broilers lost (over 50% of the laying flock); J$2 billion in losses.

• Small ruminants, pigs, and cattle: J$3.1 billion in losses.

• Apiculture: Over 2,000 bee colonies lost; J$74.5 million in damages.

Infrastructure Damage

• 38 greenhouses damaged (56,000 sq. ft.): J$78 million.

• 337 km of farm roads damaged: J$4.3 billion.

• 217,800 sq. ft. of farm buildings damaged: J$85 million.

• Ministry and agency infrastructure: J$1.5 billion in damages.

Fisheries Sector Impact

Although many fishers secured their vessels, significant losses occurred:

• 148 fishing beaches assessed.

• Severe damage to infrastructure in several parishes, valued at J$2.74 billion.
  Whitehouse, Bluefields, Galleon, and Calabash Bay experienced total destruction.

• Aquaculture losses totaled J$36 million.

• 3,289 vessels damaged (45% of national fleet), totaling J$2.98 billion in losses.

• Total fisheries impact: J$5.76 billion.

Mining Sector Impact

The mining sector experienced major damage, especially in the west. Several major quarries suffered infrastructure and equipment losses. The bauxite and alumina sector reported minor to moderate damage and lost mining days, but rehabilitation is underway. Windalco, Jamalco, and Discovery are now operational.

Our Response

Despite the immense challenges, our farmers and fishers remain determined. The Ministry will support them fully.

Immediate Actions

• Reactivation of the Agricultural Disaster Recovery Task Force, led by Mr. Michael Pryce, to coordinate assessments and relief.
  Early support has already been pledged by the FAO, IICA (US$30,000), and the United Way.

• J$450 million redirected from the Production Incentive Programme toward emergency replanting, restocking, and land preparation.

• J$40 million in seeds to be distributed this week via RADA.

• J$80 million allocated for emergency procurement:

  • J$50 million for seeds

  • J$30 million for agro-chemicals

• Free land preparation for 6 months through the RADA Tractor Service.

• Free seeds and planting material for 3 months through Boodles and RADA nurseries.

• Strategic early planting in the least-affected parishes and Agro-Parks.
  Initial planting includes:

  • 200 acres sweet pepper

  • 150 acres cassava

  • 150 acres sweet potato

  • 200 acres open-field vegetables

  • 150 acres hot pepper

  • 150 acres escallion

• SCJ Holdings: J$5 million toward land preparation for SCJ farmers.

• Apiculture support: Initial J$10 million for supplemental feed.

• Parliamentary support: MPs to assist registered farmers, with allocations ranging from J$1–3 million depending on damage levels.

• Emergency farm road repairs prioritized for reconnecting communities.

• Livestock recovery: Initial J$40 million to fast-track poultry sector revitalization.

• Moratorium on Agro-Park lease payments to ease production restart pressures.

Fisheries Support

• Generators deployed to Alligator Pond and Montego Bay Marine Fuel Stations; Great Bay to follow.

• Ongoing cleanup of Whitehouse fuel station and assessment for generator installation.

• Mobile marine fuel stations to be set up in Black River and Whitehouse.

• Replacement of lost fishing IDs and licences; 6-month moratorium on fees.

• Distribution of wire, nets, and rope, prioritizing beaches already able to resume activity.

• Assistance with gear and vessel replacement and clearing of landing site debris.

Irrigation Support

• Free distribution of non-potable water to farming communities.

• Free trucking of water to the worst-affected areas.

• Emergency repairs and upgrades to irrigation systems.

Strengthening Future Resilience

The Ministry will advance a comprehensive programme focusing on:

• Climate-smart agricultural practices

• Increased storage and processing capacity

• Stronger local food distribution systems

• Community climate-change education

• Improved early warning systems

• More resilient farm and fisheries infrastructure

• Increased safe storage and mooring facilities

• Backup power for all irrigation systems

Food Security

To stabilize supply, the Ministry will facilitate short-term imports of select crops such as tomato, lettuce, cabbage, sweet pepper, carrot, and papaya.

The Ministry is also monitoring protein supplies. Through discussions with the egg industry, immediate steps will be taken to facilitate table-egg imports where necessary.

The private sector has already begun providing support through debris clearing, road reopening, and care-package distribution. We thank our mining partners as well for committing support in the most affected areas.

Call to Action

Madam Speaker, our agriculture and fisheries sectors are bent, but not broken. The farmer in Beacon will plant again. The yam farmer in Wakefield will sow again. The fisherman in Whitehouse will return to sea. This is not wishful thinking—it is the Jamaican spirit.

I call on the private sector to stay engaged, and on the Jamaican people to remain patient and supportive. To the farmers in the east—thank you for carrying the nation. To the farmers in the west—resilience is your charge.

As we mark Eat Jamaican Month, we reaffirm our commitment to stand with our farmers and fishers through this difficult road ahead.

We will rise again.

Thank you.