Agricultural supplier H&L Agro has expanded its crop protection portfolio — adding six new products aimed at helping farmers to quickly restore production and improve yields in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa.

The products, developed in partnership with Pilarquim Corp, target some of the sector’s most pressing challenges, including weed overgrowth, pest infestations and the spread of crop diseases. Their introduction follows significant disruption to the agricultural sector, which sustained nearly $30 billion in damages after the Category 5 system impacted more than 70,000 farmers across key food-producing parishes.

“Our farmers need inputs they can count on, and Pilarquim delivers exactly that,” general manager of H&L Agro Odean Bradshaw said. “This is a range tested and proven in tropical conditions that gives every farmer, whether in Clarendon, St Elizabeth or Portland, access to the same quality of crop protection and the same level of technical support.”

The new line, comprising products such as Pilarta, Pilaroil, Pilarzeb, Pilartep, Pilarpro and Pilarzox, were carefully selected to address conditions farmers often face after severe weather events including soil disruption, increased disease risk and surging pest populations.

Pilarta, a contact and systemic herbicide, provides broad-spectrum weed control and helps reduce labour demands. Pilaroil, a horticultural spray oil, targets scale insects, mites and white flies common in warm, humid conditions. Pilarzeb offers protective action against fungal diseases such as early blight and downy mildew, while Pilarzox delivers both preventive and curative systemic control.

Pilartep, a systemic insecticide with residual activity, is said to be effective against aphids, thrips and leaf miners as Pilarpro delivers broad-spectrum control of caterpillars and beetles.

Pilarquim’s product portfolio, built for agricultural markets where heat, humidity and rainfall shape production conditions, has for more than five decades remained committed to developing and distributing science-backed crop protection and yield enhancement products targeting agri-sectors across Latin America and the Caribbean.

The company works closely with distributors that maintain direct relationships with farmers, recognising that product performance depends as much on proper application as on formulation quality. As a result, H&L Agro’s agronomy team for its part in the partnership will be providing guidance on product selection, application timing and integrated pest management as they seek to help local farmers with incorporating the new products into their operations.

The products are now available across the company’s retail network islandwide.

“Jamaica is a market we have approached with careful preparation. The country’s farming community is both experienced and highly dedicated, and they deserve solutions that reflect that level of commitment,” said Judy Fung, business manager of Pilarquim Corp.

“We are confident that the Pilarquim range will deliver measurable improvements in crop protection and yield for Jamaican farmers, while also supporting more efficient and sustainable production practices,” she added.

Pilarta is a contact and systemic herbicide that provides broad-spectrum weed control, helping farmers to reduce labour demands.

The new line comprises products such as Pilarta, Pilaroil, Pilarzeb, Pilartep, Pilarpro and Pilarzox, that were carefully selected to address conditions farmers often face after severe weather events, including soil disruption, increased disease risk, and surging pest populations.

Pilarquim Corp reps share in a photo with farmers who were presented with products from the new line carried by H&L Agro recently.