KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining says several of its facilities and agricultural projects were damaged during the passing of Hurricane Beryl on Wednesday.

At the Bodles Research Station, one of the Citrus Budwood Houses collapsed resulting in the loss of one of the two budwood facilities located there. Additionally, one of the parent plant houses has been damaged. The station also suffered 100 per cent damage to its commercial crops and the loss of the packing shed, the ministry said in a release Thursday.

It said reports from the Banana Board indicate that officers are currently assessing crop damage which appears to be severe in areas such as Portland and St Mary, with damage exceeding 80 per cent.

The Banana Board office is without electricity while the majority of the greenhouses in the major producing areas have been destroyed.

The National Irrigation Commission (NIC) reported that their water production systems were not significantly affected. However, the conveyance systems were impacted by fallen trees and branches.

The ministry said the area of St Elizabeth is still being assessed but communication issues have delayed the relay of information.

The Essex Valley Agriculture Development Project’s solar system sustained damage with approximately three per cent of the solar panels affected, and fencing and light poles down, the release stated.

The ministry said water production systems across the NIC operations will remain non-operational until power is restored. Detailed evaluations are ongoing and costs will be ascribed as assessments continue, it said.

The ministry said agro-processors like Grace Foods in St Elizabeth have closed due to extensive infrastructure damage and no acceptance of deliveries is anticipated until cleanup activities are completed.

For the fisheries sector, fishing beaches are filled with rubble and some boats are reported damaged with extensive loss of fishing equipment, the ministry said.

It said the Rural Agricultural Development Authority will continue to conduct field investigations to determine the full impact of the hurricane on agricultural activities.

In the meantime, the ministry is actively coordinating with local agencies and partners to ensure a comprehensive assessment of the damage and to facilitate effective recovery and support for affected farmers, fishers and facilities.