Dear Editor,

Desperate cries in battered areas in the wake of Hurricane Melissa have been echoing for the past two weeks, leaving myself and others with broken and crushed spirits.

Eerie scenes of destruction, despair, and lack of basic amenities are a humbling reminder that we are just man. Jamaica is indeed fortunate that the storm didn’t cross the length of the island; otherwise, the estimated damage would have been incalculable. Damage assessments have revealed that Jamaica experienced approximately $1 trillion in structural losses and countless more in psychological damage.

Bodies are still being exhumed, and water levels continue to rise through underground water tables. There are potential outbreaks of communicable diseases such as dengue and cholera, along with other biohazards abounding in the affected areas. Scarcity of clean water appears to be the hardest hurdle to overcome. Thankfully, we have received respite through numerous regional and international organisations, notably the World Food Programme (WFP), The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).

Last year Hurricane Beryl wiped out sections of the agricultural sector, which has effectively stymied our food security efforts to this day. On that note, I mentioned in an article to the Jamaican Observer last year that Jamaica may need to slowly — but surely — transition to a more technologically advanced food security strategy despite the large, initial upfront investment.

Jamaica must now seek to construct a robust food security programme in which local farmers and assets are aggressively protected and produce are efficiently grown, harvested, dispensed, and properly stored. We must not wait any longer as disasters like Melissa may occur again and more frequently. Let me be clear on one thing: My motive is not fearmongering but rather to remove the veil from our collective vision.

Hydroponic farming has immense potential and productivity benefits in Jamaica’s tropical marine climate. Acquiring the resources and training for farmers to use this technology may be expensive initially; however, I firmly believe this would steer our agricultural sector in the right direction. In addition, an islandwide food security programme must be developed and activated for times of drought, famine, and/or other acts of God

Comparative data of growth efficiency for several well-known crops show how powerful wide-scale hydroponics when compared to traditional soil methods:

• Herbs (such as basil/mint/cilantro): three to four weeks compared to 6-8 weeks

• Leafy greens (lettuce/kale/spinach): 4-7 weeks compared to 10 weeks on average

• Cucumbers: 6-8 weeks compared to 10 weeks

• Peppers (bell peppers and Scotch bonnet): 11-15 weeks compared to 17 weeks on average

• Tomatoes: 8-16 weeks compared to 14-17 weeks based on variety

Hurricane Melissa has once again exposed the fragility of Jamaica’s food systems and the deep vulnerabilities within our agricultural and disaster-preparedness frameworks. Her passage will serve as an urgent reminder that food security must now be treated as a matter of national resilience, and not convenience. Jamaica cannot afford to rebuild in the same way and expect different results. The time for innovation and strategic transformation is now.

Dujean Edwards

Lecturer

dujeanedwards@gmail.com