JP Farms, a subsidiary of the Pan Jamaica Group, has reported extensive damage to its agricultural operations in St Mary, Jamaica, following the devastating winds of Hurricane Melissa. The Category 5 storm, with wind speeds reaching up to 185 mph, caused an estimated near-total loss of banana and plantain crops, marking the second consecutive year that the 90-year-old farming enterprise has been severely impacted by extreme weather. Although St Mary avoided a direct hit, the prolonged high winds from the hurricane’s outer bands flattened crops still recovering from the effects of Hurricane Beryl in 2024. In response, Pan Jamaica Group has pledged immediate financial support to aid the farm’s recovery, building on a $250 million investment made in 2024 to restore operations post-Beryl. Jeffrey Hall, Vice Chairman and CEO of Pan Jamaica Group, emphasized the company’s long-term commitment to Jamaica’s agricultural sector and the livelihoods of over 200 families in St Mary. Despite the challenges, JP Farms remains dedicated to retaining its workforce during the recovery period. A silver lining emerged from the disaster: an experimental plot of wind-resistant banana plants, developed in collaboration with the Bodles Agriculture Research Station, sustained significantly less damage, offering hope for future crop resilience.