KINGSTON, Jamaica—The Banana Board of Jamaica has initiated a significant financial relief program for agricultural producers impacted by recent hurricane damage. A total of 116 registered banana and plantain growers will receive compensation through the Catastrophe Insurance Fund to support field rehabilitation efforts.
Board General Manager Janet Conie confirmed in an exclusive JIS News interview that approximately $20 million Jamaican dollars will be distributed following comprehensive damage evaluations by assessment teams. The administration is currently contacting eligible farmers to expedite claim processing procedures.
“We prioritize rapid disbursement to enable immediate access to crucial agricultural inputs, particularly fertilizers essential for crop resuscitation,” Conie stated. “The fund targets complete distribution within a 30-day timeframe to accelerate recovery from windstorm devastation, including widespread breakage and uprooting of plants.”
The recovery strategy emphasizes technical agricultural practices, particularly “chopping back”—a commercial term describing field clearance operations that remove damaged vegetation to facilitate fertilization and new growth. Conie explained this critical process: “Farmers must clear roots and mats to enable fertilizer application within six weeks, followed by sucker selection for the next generation. Proper execution can yield harvestable crops within seven months.”
Remarkably, some proactive growers had already restored 50% of their fields through chopping back techniques within two days of the disaster. The Board continues to provide agronomic guidance through its technical support hotline (876-922-5490), reinforcing its commitment to restoring Jamaica’s vital banana and plantain industries.