THE Jamaica Agricultural Commodities Regulatory Authority (JACRA) has successfully completed a $120-million recovery intervention in the country’s coffee sector, providing critical support to farmers across the Blue Mountain and High Mountain regions in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa.

The initiative formed a central part of the Government and JACRA’s coordinated response to the widespread damage sustained by coffee farms, infrastructure, and livelihoods within the island’s premier coffee-growing areas.

Through this intervention, JACRA facilitated the distribution of chemical inputs, including fertiliser, insecticides, and other essential crop protection materials, alongside planting material to support replanting efforts and restore productivity across affected farms.

Acting director general of JACRA Wayne Hunter described the programme as a critical step in stabilising the industry and supporting farmers in their recovery.

“The completion of this support programme marks an important milestone in the recovery of our coffee sector. Following the passage of Hurricane Melissa, it was imperative that we moved quickly and decisively to assist our farmers. This investment ensured that they had the resources needed to restore their farms and resume production,” Hunter said.

He noted that the intervention was carefully designed to address both immediate recovery needs and the longer-term sustainability of the sector.