Natural science students and faculty from Mandeville-based Northern Caribbean University (NCU) recently planted 100 fruit trees in Cave, Westmoreland, in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa which ravaged vegetation in the south-western section of Jamaica.

The tree-planting effort is aimed at supporting Jamaica’s 2030 vision for food security and sustainable development, according to lecturer Nadia Washington-Daley who resides in the Cave community.

The project is being implemented in partnership with international non-profit organisation, Tree That Feed Foundation which donated the seedlings.

“In Cave, we lost trees, including fruit trees, a primary one being the breadfruit tree,” said Washington-Daley.

“That was the first tree we selected for the pilot project because we want to increase food security for the community members. Putting in fruit trees will benefit them also and boost the economic condition for people in the region,” added Washington-Daley.

On December 2, a total of 25 students from the Department of Biology, Chemistry & Environmental Science at NCU and faculty were joined by residents of Cave in planting 100 breadfruit trees in a three-mile basin, surrounded by ponds that will naturally keep the soil moist.

Dr Caroline McClean, interim dean of the College of Natural and Applied Sciences Allied Health and Nursing (CNASAHN) at NCU, noted that while the students were looking forward to getting out to nature and being a part of the initiative, they primarily wanted to contribute in a meaningful way to the people who are hardest hit by Hurricane Melissa.

She said the tree-planting project was being executed under the banner of ‘CNASAHN Serves’.

“This is a strategic initiative to mobilise academic resources to address critical regional challenges using expertise in the science field to build community relations, foster impactful research, and fulfil the institution’s mission as a Christ-centred institution,” McLean stated.

“We are applying our academic knowledge in the sciences directly to heal the land and support our neighbours. It was inspiring to see our students working alongside community members, rooting our university’s mission in the soil of Westmoreland,” added McLean.

She said NCU is spearheading the planting of more than 10,000 fruit-bearing trees in the western-most parishes. The trees will be monitored continuously by the university.

Hurricane Melissa hit Jamaica on October 28 concentrating most of its fury on the island’s south-western area.

The Category 5 storm caused widespread devastation to Jamaica’s forests and food trees, stripping leaves, toppling large trees, and leaving landscapes looking burnt due to extreme winds and salt spray.

The Ministry of Agriculture reported significant damage to fruit trees (breadfruit, banana, coffee) and entire forests levelled in hard-hit areas like Westmoreland, requiring massive replanting efforts for both ecological and food security.