KINGSTON, Jamaica — Several ministers of state have continued their push to provide local agricultural relief to Jamaicans impacted by Hurricane Melissa with a visit to Douglas Castle, St Ann.

The state ministers mobilised privately raised resources to support farmers who suffered significant crop losses in recent weather events.

The visit on Friday was led by Member of Parliament for St Ann South Western, Zavia Mayne. He was accompanied by his colleague, Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Alando Terrelonge, and Minister of State in the Ministry of National Security and Peace, Juliet Cuthbert-Flynn.

During the visit, farmers received fertiliser and seedlings to assist with the restoration of their crops and livelihoods.

Member of Parliament for St Ann South Western, Zavia Mayne, provides a farmer in Douglas Castle, St Ann, with a bag of fertiliser to restart their livelihood following the impact of Hurricane Melissa. Looking on is State Minister in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Alando Terrelonge.

Mayne emphasised the urgent need for increased support for farming districts across the island, noting that farmers have endured extensive devastation and require targeted assistance to recover. He underscored that agriculture remains a critical pillar of rural and national development, and that protecting farmers’ livelihoods is essential to strengthening the economy.

Terrelonge noted that he was pleased to join his colleague in supporting Prime Minister Andrew Holness, who has charged them with assisting in relief efforts in affected communities.

A farmer in Douglas Castle, St Ann being presented with a bag of seedling by Minister of State in the Ministry of National Security and Peace, Juliet Cuthbert-Flynn and Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Alando Terrelonge.

He highlighted the broader importance of safeguarding the country’s food security at a time when global uncertainties continue to affect supply chains. He reinforced that supporting farmers is central to ensuring that Jamaica maintains a stable, reliable source of locally produced food, and that these interventions help build long-term resilience.

Cuthbert-Flynn stressed the value of providing consistent support to rural constituencies and commended the collaborative approach taken by government ministries and agencies. She acknowledged the ongoing challenges faced by rural communities and emphasised the need for more initiatives of this nature to bolster local recovery efforts.

The distribution exercise in Douglas Castle forms part of the Holness administration’s wider agricultural recovery and resilience programme aimed at restoring productivity, strengthening food security and supporting communities most affected by recent weather systems.