KINGSTON, Jamaica — Hundreds of farmers are to benefit from the Isratech Resilience Farm Tour, an initiative designed to help them recover and rebuild following the impact of Hurricane Melissa.

Under the programme, being undertaken by Isratech Jamaica Limited, farmers in select parishes will receive free technical assessments and irrigation systems, seedling trays, soil and other inputs to get them back into production.

It is also designed to build agricultural resilience through climate-smart practices.

Speaking at the launch held at Isratech’s offices in Kendal, Manchester on April 8, the company’s Chief Executive Officer, Benjamin Hodara, said that the programme was born out of a clear need to provide sustained support to farmers still grappling with the hurricane’s impact months after the disaster.

He said that recovery in agriculture is a prolonged process, noting that the destruction caused by extreme weather events goes beyond crops to disrupt livelihoods and entire production cycles.

“Farmers across the country took a serious hit, and while the hurricane happened over five months ago, recovery takes time,” he said.

“When disaster strikes, income stops, cycles are broken, and the road back is harder than many realise. What farmers need is not just relief, but confidence that they will be supported when they reinvest,” he pointed out.

Hodara explained that the Resilience Farm Tour is designed to deliver that confidence by taking support directly to farmers across Jamaica.

He said each farm engaged under the programme will serve as a demonstration site, allowing neighbouring farmers to see modern agricultural solutions working in real Jamaican conditions.

The initiative also places special emphasis on supporting women in agriculture, with 2026 being observed as the Year of the Female Farmer.

Young Manchester farmer, Georgette Henry-Morgan, welcomed the initiative, highlighting the severe losses experienced by farmers in the parish, including the destruction of greenhouses and other critical infrastructure. She noted that many farmers are still struggling to recover from the widespread damage and reduced production capacity caused by Hurricane Melissa.

Henry-Morgan said that the resources being provided through Isratech’s farm tour, including farm assessments, irrigation systems and technical guidance, will significantly strengthen farmers’ ability to rebuild and improve productivity.

“We don’t just want to recover; we want to recover stronger. With the right support, we can build a more resilient agricultural community better equipped to face future challenges,” she pointed out.

Chief Executive Officer of the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), Garnet Edmondson, in endorsing the initiative, underscored the value of partnerships between the public and private sectors in building a more sustainable and resilient agricultural sector.

He noted that the initiative aligns with RADA’s long-term strategy to strengthen on-farm water management and empower farmers, including youth and women, as Jamaica continues its journey towards agricultural innovation and food security.

— JIS