Stakeholders working towards recovery of the agriculture sector, post hurricane Melissa

Stakeholders are working towards the recovery of the agriculture sector after hurricane Melissa destroyed many farms, leaving both farmers and consumers  wondering what’s next for their livelihoods and food security.

The category five system, which made landfall on October 28, 2025 destroyed farms across the island, including many in the “bread basket” parish of St. Elizabeth.

The storm decimated farms, uprooted trees, and left farmers in dismay.

It devastated the already vulnerable agricultural production, triggering widespread food shortages and soaring farm produce prices.

Courtney Plummer a farmer from South Manchester, said he lost most of his produce .

He said despite the loss, he has started preparation to replant produce such as sweet and hot peppers.

He explained that due to the type of soil, he is unable to replant until April.

Meanwhile, Chief Executive Officer of the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) Garnet  Edmondson said focus is being placed on replanting short cycle crops.

These crops are plants with fast, short growing periods of weeks to a few months that provide quick harvests, ideal for early food supply, crop rotation, or fitting into variable rainy seasons.

He pointed out that farmers in western parishes started to replant farm produce such as lettuce, cucumber and cabbage.   

Mr. Edmondson reaffirmed that farm produce prices will start trending downward once there is an increase in production.

Minister of Agriculture, Floyd Green stated that the sector is focused on regions unaccustomed to cultivating particular crops.