Jamaica's Agriculture Minister Floyd Green has announced the country will need to import key food items following catastrophic damage to the agricultural sector from Hurricane Melissa. Preliminary estimates place financial losses at 29.5 billion dollars, affecting over 70,000 farmers and devastating crop and livestock production.
The minister reported the loss of over 1.2 million chickens, representing more than half of the national laying flock, which will necessitate the importation of table eggs. Significant damage to vegetable, fruit, and tuber crops has also created anticipated shortages. To address the crisis, the government is redirecting 450 million dollars towards immediate recovery efforts, including a program for free seeds and land preparation.
An Agricultural Disaster Recovery Task Force has been reactivated to manage the response. Minister Green stated that external sources will be used to stabilize the supply of nutritionally important foods like tomatoes, lettuce, and carrots to protect household food security in the coming months.
The minister reported the loss of over 1.2 million chickens, representing more than half of the national laying flock, which will necessitate the importation of table eggs. Significant damage to vegetable, fruit, and tuber crops has also created anticipated shortages. To address the crisis, the government is redirecting 450 million dollars towards immediate recovery efforts, including a program for free seeds and land preparation.
An Agricultural Disaster Recovery Task Force has been reactivated to manage the response. Minister Green stated that external sources will be used to stabilize the supply of nutritionally important foods like tomatoes, lettuce, and carrots to protect household food security in the coming months.
