More than 22,000 farmers across several parishes have been assisted under the Government’s Hurricane Beryl Recovery Programme, according to Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Floyd Green.

Speaking during the handover of agriculture supplies to farmers at SCJ Holdings Limited in St Catherine on Thursday, October 24, Green informed that inputs distributed to the beneficiaries include 50,000 chickens, comprising broilers and layers, as well as assorted seeds, and chemicals, such as herbicides and pesticides, along with fertilisers.

The minister indicated that 3,000 of the recipients are banana and plantain farmers, adding that “we are programmed to help another 1,000 [banana and plantain] farmers over the next few weeks”. He also reported that 630 hectares of essential crops have been planted under the programme. These include cabbage, tomato, lettuce, carrot, sweet pepper, cucumber and watermelon.

Meanwhile, Green encouraged farmers requiring additional support with land preparation, to “speak to RADA (Rural Agricultural Development Authority), because we can help you in that regard”.

He further indicated that RADA has programmed the rehabilitation of 21 roads damaged during Hurricane Beryl’s passage, just south of Jamaica on July 3, of which 11 have been completed. The minister also informed that SCJ Holdings is providing $5 million to farmers, who were affected by the hurricane.

He assured them that they can get further assistance, in addition to what had already been provided.

In the meantime, Green advised that the ministry now has a disaster preparation system, pointing out that they had stocked up on seeds. He said the ministry was able to assist farmers in the hardest hit areas within two weeks of the hurricane’s passage.

The damage wreaked on the agricultural sector by the category four hurricane amounted to over $6 billion, with more than 48,000 farmers and in excess of 11,000 fishers affected.

Green said the ministry remains focused on executing post-hurricane recovery efforts and mobilising support for farmers to ensure that they can rebound from losses sustained and resume production at the earliest stage.