Agricultural sector on the rebound, says Green
Published:Saturday | October 26, 2024 | 12:06 AMRuddy Mathison/Gleaner Writer
The agricultural sector in Jamaica is steadily recovering nearly four months after Hurricane Beryl, a Category 4 storm that caused an estimated $60 billion in damages.
Agriculture Minister Floyd Green credited the resilience of farmers and a rapid, coordinated response from both government and private sector stakeholders for what he described as a remarkable turnaround.
Speaking at a relief handover ceremony hosted by Sugar Company of Jamaica Holdings Ltd (SCJH) at its St Catherine headquarters on Thursday, Green acknowledged the extensive losses suffered when the hurricane struck on July 3.
“What we decided to do was to ensure that we could respond as quickly as possible. Year after year, what I recognised we used to do at the ministry is that, when the disasters come, we pull together to recover,” he explained. He noted that this approach cut response time significantly.
He highlighted that the ministry’s proactive approach marks a shift in disaster management strategy.
“The truth is, once you follow our weather trajectory, you know that every year we will have some form of disaster – either a drought, a flood or a hurricane,” he said. “So, what we decided to do, and will do going forward, is not to wait until the disaster comes to get ready.”
Green revealed that early procurement of essential items such as seeds and fertiliser, through agencies like the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), allowed the ministry to distribute resources to farmers in the hardest-hit areas just two weeks after Beryl.
“So, this time, literally two weeks after the hurricane, we were able to go to farmers in the hardest-hit areas and say ‘Here are some seeds; you can start again’,” he added.
FOOD SECURITY
Joseph Shoucair, CEO of SCJH, said the organisation recognised the need to support food security, contributing seeds, fertiliser, and other supplies to impacted farmers in St Catherine and Clarendon.
“We are happy to play our part to assist farmers in their rebound, so they can ramp up food security, which is vital in Jamaica,” he stated.
Farmers have begun to see results, with crops like tomatoes and lettuce expected in abundance for the holiday season at reduced prices. In Spanish Town Market on Thursday, tomato prices, which had soared to $800 per pound post-hurricane, had dropped to $100 per pound.
Ryan Harriott, a St Catherine farmer who lost over $1 million in crops, expressed gratitude for the relief. “After the hurricane, the flood washed away everything. So I am glad for this, it will assist me in getting back to maximum,” he said.
Hurricane Beryl affected approximately 40,000 farmers and 11,000 fishermen across Jamaica.