THE agriculture ministry’s push to plant the seeds of a stronger and more resilient food system, anchored in climate-smart farming, expanded storage facilities, with faster replanting in the wake of Hurricane Melissa has received a significant boost from Hi-Pro.

The sector suffered an estimated $60 billion in damage during the passage of Hurricane Melissa and portfolio minister Floyd Green said he is pulling out all the stops to get the farmers back in full production.

On Wednesday Green was upbeat as he welcomed the donation of farming inputs from Hi-Pro valued at $5.5 million.

Green told the Jamaica Observer that the donation is a major boost for the poultry sector and will assist in fast-tracking recovery efforts in other areas.

“As we realise, Hi-Pro is supporting not just poultry…but all facets, the vegetable line as well with some seeds, some chemicals, and some fertilisers. Clearly the Government is doing its best, but based on the extent of the damage it needs all hands on deck so we can expand the reach,” Green added.

He said the donation from Hi-Pro will be added to a $100-million initiative launched by the Government to assist poultry farmers.

“We are targeting farmers who were not seriously impacted and can expand capacity so that we can drive the production in the quickest possible time, while also targeting the farmers who were impacted. Now we are strong in the hardest-hit parishes trying to get people to get back this element.

“We will also be doing a programme, a component of it is to rebuild the infrastructure, so it is very important that, while we focus on rebuilding some of the infrastructure — the chicken houses in the backyards — we would now bring in these Hi-Pro donations and get them to the farmers,” added Green.

According to the agriculture minister, efforts will be made to avoid duplicating benefits through a process of record-keeping.

Reiterating that the damage to the poultry sector by Melissa, which smashed into the island late October, was extensive, Green hailed the Hi-Pro team for what he described as its continuous support.

“Feed is one of the largest input cost for poultry farmers and disruptions to feed availability and affordability can delay recovery. Hi-Pro is stepping forward to help remove… one of the critical barriers to restarting production, and for that we are grateful,” Green said.

In the meantime, Hi-Pro Vice-President Colonel (ret’d) Jaimie Ogilvie told the handover ceremony that since the passage of Melissa, Hi-Pro has contributed more than $80 million in direct support to the agricultural sector.

“We have done other direct donations of agricultural inputs through a number of bodies and associations, including the Pig Farmers Association, Egg Farmers Association, Small Ruminants Association, farm stores, and community based farming groups,” Ogilvie said, as he urged farmers to register with a local society, association, or a community farming group.

“They are more likely to receive support flowing through these organisations when there is a disaster, [and] also year round. We work a lot with these groups and I can tell you, when you are a member of these groups you are going to benefit not just in times of crisis,” added Ogilvie.