Jamaica Broilers Group, through its Hi-Pro division, has expanded its Comeback Coops project into St Elizabeth, advancing a $10 million recovery programme aimed at rebuilding broiler housing and restoring small farmer production capacity following Hurricane Melissa.

Comeback Coops focuses on providing building materials to independent broiler farmers to rebuild and repair damaged coops, a critical barrier that has prevented many from resuming operations despite earlier support centred on the distribution of baby chicks and feed. The initiative is expected to strengthen domestic supply and support income recovery for farming households.

To date, the project has supported 75 farmers across Westmoreland and St James, with an initial investment of $1.6 million. This has restored capacity for 15,000 birds and, at an estimated six production cycles per year, equates to over 137,000 kilogrammes of chicken meat annually.

At the handover of supplies in St Elizabeth on May 1, 2026, the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, the Honourable Floyd Green, highlighted the scale of damage across the sector and underscored the national importance of restoring small farmer production, which accounts for approximately 30 per cent of Jamaica’s total chicken meat output.

“When we look at the statistics, we lost over 700,000 broiler birds in Hurricane Melissa. When you include layers, we lost over 1.1 million birds. That represents a significant segment of our poultry industry,” Minister Green stated.

He noted that rebuilding infrastructure is essential to reactivating this segment and reducing pressure on the wider industry.

“When we do not have our small farmers, companies like Jamaica Broilers will come under increasing pressure, as they are required to fill that gap.”

The Minister also emphasised the importance of collaboration, noting that partnerships across government, private sector and NGOs are critical to sustained recovery efforts.

In the community of Parrottee in St Elizabeth, 15 farmers were identified to receive support through the provision of zinc, mesh wire, lumber and cement, valued at approximately $2 million. This will restore housing capacity for 3,000 birds and contribute an estimated 27,360 kilogrammes of broiler meat to Jamaica’s annual production.

The Parrottee handover was carried out in collaboration with the Not in Vain Foundation and incorporates a community-based approach, with farmers working together to rebuild coops and restore operations within two weeks of receiving materials. Once reconstruction is complete, Hi-Pro will provide chicks and feed to support the farmers’ first grow out cycle as they return to production.

Also speaking at the handover, Hi-Pro Vice President, Jaimie Ogilvie, highlighted the programme’s focus on sustainable recovery.

“We believe in equipping people to make sure they can have sustainable livelihoods. We’ve given out food, we’ve given out chicken, we’ve provided meals, but… giving a man chicken to eat is different from allowing him to grow his own chickens, not just for his own consumption but to sell and to earn a livelihood.”

Hi-Pro will continue to expand the reach of the Comeback Coops project, prioritising independent broiler farmers whose infrastructure was most severely impacted, as part of its ongoing commitment to strengthening Jamaica’s broiler segment and supporting national food security.