Jamaican Agriculture Minister Floyd Green has publicly guaranteed the availability of traditional holiday foods for the upcoming Christmas season, despite significant agricultural disruptions caused by Hurricane Melissa. The assurance came during a special post-hurricane media briefing at Jamaica House on Tuesday, where Green outlined a comprehensive recovery strategy combining targeted imports and substantial farmer support programs.
The minister revealed his ministry has initiated contact with external suppliers to address specific shortages in vegetable lines and table eggs, emphasizing that importation would be carefully calibrated to avoid undermining local producers. ‘We will not do more than is needed. There will be space for your products,’ Green assured Jamaican farmers, explaining that the ministry employs detailed demand pattern analysis throughout the year to determine appropriate supply levels.
The hurricane, which struck on October 28, exacerbated existing egg shortages by wiping out 458,000 layers—approximately 40% of Jamaica’s laying hen population. Green acknowledged the severity of the situation, noting that discussions are underway with the Ministry of Finance to ensure imported food items ‘land here at a reasonable price’ for consumers during the critical holiday period.
Beyond immediate import solutions, the government has launched an ambitious agricultural recovery program. Phase two of hurricane recovery involves distributing over 7,000 seed packs valued at $50 million, with an additional $70 million allocation pending. Specialized support includes $50 million for fertilizer formulated specifically for yam farmers (who suffered 70% crop damage) and another $50 million for yam planting materials and stakes.
Infrastructure repair forms another crucial component, with $800 million earmarked for restoring approximately 40 farm roads from the ministry’s $3 billion supplementary budget. The Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) is spearheading multiple initiatives, including a free land preparation program utilizing private tractor services and distribution of 100,000 broiler chicks expected to produce 160 kilograms of chicken meat.
Green highlighted encouraging signs of recovery, noting that farmers have already begun replanting, reestablishing nurseries, and repairing greenhouses in the month since the hurricane caused approximately $60 billion in agricultural losses. The coordinated government effort aims to accelerate Jamaica’s agricultural restoration while ensuring holiday food security through strategic intervention.