KINGSTON, Jamaica — Agriculture Minister Floyd Green says the Agricultural Disaster Recovery Task Force, led by Michael Pryce, which was established after Hurricane Beryl to centrally coordinate assessments, relief and recovery, has been reactivated in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa.

He made the disclosure on Tuesday in the House of Representatives.

“We are ensuring transparency, optimal resource allocation and timely delivery on the ground,” Green said. He shared that there has been outreach from the Food and Agriculture Organization and Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture, which has pledged initial support of US$30,000. Additionally, United Way on Tuesday launched its “Restoration and Rehabilitation Fund for Agriculture”.

“This will take an all-hands-on-deck approach and as such we welcome all support,” the minister said.

To jump-start the recovery, an immediate allocation of $450 million from the remaining Production Incentive Programme is being redirected to emergency recovery, including replanting, restocking and land preparation. This is a part of a larger $3 billion plan.

Green also announced the following:

— Distribution of 40 million worth of seeds through the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) network to start this week;

— Another $80 million allocated for emergency procurement. That figure is split into $50 million for seeds and $30 million for agro-chemicals;

— Free land preparation led by RADA for the next six months;

— All seeds and planting material available through the Bodles and RADA nurseries will be free for the next three months;

— Focus on early planting in the least-affected areas, especially eastern Jamaica and agro-parks;

— Sugar Company of Jamaica (SCJ) will be providing an initial $5 million in land preparation for farmers who occupy SCJ lands;

— Initial allocation of $10 million to provide urgent support to the apiculture sector through the provision of supplemental feed such as sugar;

— Members of Parliament to be allocated funds ranging from $1 million to $3 million, depending on the severity of damage, to assist farmers;

— Allocation of $40 million to help livestock and poultry farmers get back on their feet; and

— Moratorium on lease payments for farmers in agro-parks.

—Lynford Simpson