Floyd Green Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining is reporting that preliminary estimates of damage to the sector due to Tropical Storm Rafael stands at JMD$621 million.

He made the disclosure while addressing the House of Representatives on Tuesday, November 12.

“Our preliminary estimate of the damage stands at about $621 million. Rafael unleashed heavy rains that have led to severe flooding, landslides and water logging in multiple parishes including Manchester, Clarendon, St Elizabeth, St Ann, St Mary, St Catherine and Westmoreland. In fact, we have now accounted for about 364 hectares of crops that have been lost across these parishes translating into about $207.9 million in losses,“ Green noted.

He informed that of the total loss of $621 million the crop portion is about $200 million. These include banana, vegetables, plantain, fruits and legumes.

“Thus far we have accounted for about 5000 farmers that has suffered some crop or livestock damage from Tropical Storm Rafael. In relation to livestock, our total damage around livestock is $31 million, again with the biggest area being our poultry farmers, thus far we have accounted for 23,000 birds that have been lost, affecting about 1000 farmers from Tropical Storm Rafael. Five hundred and sixty-nine layers, 134 pigs, 12 beef cattle, 334 goats and 16 colonies of bee,“ Green shared.

He however noted that despite these numbers the overall losses to the sector from the passage of Rafael, it was much less significant than those suffered under Beryl.

“Madam Speaker, the most significant damage was to our farm road infrastructure through scouring and land slippages. The estimated cost for road repairs stands at $382.5 million, affecting 191 farm roads essential for transporting goods from farms to markets. Madam Speaker, we are still recovering from the devastating impacts of Hurricane Beryl. As we rebuild, Tropical Storm Rafael arrived, causing additional challenges for our recovery efforts,“ Green noted.

The Minister noted that Meteorological Service issuing an advisory for increased rainfall expected this week, members of the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) remains in the field to examine any further damage before a comprehensive recovery plan is implemented.

“Madam Speaker, we are not standing idly by. The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Mining, through Rural Agricultural Development Authority, has deployed Parish Teams of Agricultural Extension Officers to provide support on the ground. These officers are conducting thorough assessments, advising on crop care and management, and helping farmers navigate this crisis,“ he added.

Current recovery programmes

Green advised that the government has allocated JMD$2.5 billion to support recovery efforts and continued development in the agricultural sector. Specific recovery programmes include:

• Crop Resuscitation: JMD$210 million will be used to resuscitate crops such as vegetables, bananas, and plantains.
• Spices and Livestock: JMD$70 million for coffee, cocoa, and spices; JMD$96 million for livestock and infrastructure replacements.
• Fisheries: JMD$129 million allocated to rehabilitate beaches and support fishers.
• Greenhouses: JMD$165 million in materials for greenhouse construction and distribution to farmers.
• Irrigation Kits: JMD$120 million for the procurement of irrigation kits to improve production and resilience.
• Poultry Support: A JMD$30 million poultry production programme aimed at providing baby chicks to farmers, especially to boost poultry production during the Christmas season.
• Farm Road Rehabilitation: An additional JMD$200 million will be directed toward farm road repairs, with further requests for support anticipated.
• Urban and Backyard Farming Initiatives: A JMD$17 million initiative will distribute 3,000 backyard farming kits and invest in vertical farming systems, particularly aimed at urban farming to promote sustainable, space-efficient farming practices.
• Water and Agro Park Support: JMD$30 million is allocated to trucking water to farmers in severely affected areas, and another JMD$30 million will go towards rehabilitating agro parks.