Persons in Eastern Jamaica Encouraged to Step Up Food Production Following Hurricane Melissa

• With the devastation wrought by Hurricane Melissa in Western Jamaica, which severely impacted the top 3 parishes for agricultural produce, food production and availability is expected to be stymied with scarcity driving up prices. In response to this, the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) is urging persons in eastern Jamaica to increase agricultural output to help protect the island’s food security.
• Senior Plant Health and Food Safety Officer with RADA, Francine Webb, said increased production in the east by householders, backyard gardeners and the average citizen is absolutely critical at this time.
• Ms. Webb said an all-hands-on-deck approach is needed by each Jamaican to bolster food security at this time. She explained that “The call is now on the east to step up. We’re going to have to be a bit more efficient. Output from that same plot of land has to increase, the productivity has to go up while we give the west the time to get their lives back together in terms of their housing and bringing the farms back up.”
• Data from the Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining Ministry reveal that damage to agricultural crops and livestock is estimated at J$29.5Bn, with approximately 41,390 hectares of farmland affected and the devastation impacting more than 70,000 farmers. Livestock farmers have also lost approximately 1,251,410 animals, including small ruminants, poultry and cattle, including 50% of the nation’s laying flocks.
• However, the Ministry noted that it is moving fast to stabilise supply and restart production quickly. So far, there has been J$350Mn mobilised immediately for recovery, which is part of a larger J$3Bn long-term plan. Meanwhile, there will also be temporary food imports such as eggs and vegetables to keep prices affordable.
• The government is also providing the materials and support needed to restore fields and herds immediately. There has been distribution of J$40Mn in free seeds and all planting materials will be free for three months. Another J$40Mn has been allocated for urgent poultry sector revitalisation and finally, the government is offering free land preparation for the next six months via RADA.

(Source: JIS, Ministry Agriculture Fisheries and Mining)