KINGSTON, Jamaica—Agriculture Minister Floyd Green has announced Phase 2 of the Hurricane Melissa Recovery Programme in the amount of $250 million.

He said Phase 1 has gone “extremely well”, allowing the country to realise the second best crop production on record.

Green made the announcements on May 13 during his contribution to the Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives.

“In 2025, Jamaica’s domestic crop sector produced 811,244 tonnes, representing a 5.7 per cent increase over 2024 and the second-highest level of output on record. This performance is particularly significant when considered against the impact of Hurricane Melissa, which reduced the fourth quarter’s output by 22.1 per cent,” Green shared.

He highlighted that coming a year after Hurricane Beryl caused widespread losses, “the agriculture sector had rebounded so strongly that even with the impact of Melissa we hit our second highest production numbers ever.

“This is a testament to the hard work and resilience of our farmers but also to the fact that this Government has been building a more resilient agriculture sector through strategic investments over the last 10 years,” Green said.

Regarding phase 2, he said some areas require longer term intervention and some farmers have not yet received any support.

“Phase 2 will seek to expand support in the areas needed, including additional support for our livestock farmers, our yam farmers, our coffee farmers. We will also be exploring a voucher system to provide direct support to those who were impacted but are yet to receive any support,” said Green.

“The initial Phase 2 recovery programme is costed at J$250 million which we hope the Ministry of Finance will directly support. Until then, we (Ministry of Agriculture) will continue to finance the intervention,” he added.

Meanwhile, the minister continues to encourage Jamaicans to get involved with backyard gardening. He said the Ministry’s backyard garden programme will this year target the distribution of 5,000 kits, alongside targeted interventions for aeroponic towers.

Noting that Hurricane Melissa wiped out thousands of fruit trees, especially across the hardest-hit parishes, Green said 3,000 acres of orchard crops are to be planted under the National Fruit Tree Crop Programme by 2035, with a focus on ackee, breadfruit, mango, coconut and avocado.

He said that with last year’s introduction of three improved avocado varieties – Hass, Carla and Semil – with support from Trees That Feed, Jamaica is poised to have avocados year-round.

“This will play a significant role in strengthening domestic supply, export potential as well as import substitution,” Green said.

He told the Parliament that the Government will continue the citrus redevelopment programme. “We are also making strides with the Wambugu Apple which could serve as a replacement for the popular American apple,” he said.

He informed that he has tasked Don McGlashan and Locksley Waite to work with the Forestry Department, the seed certification unit and nurseries, “to rapidly expand our planting material base and start a drive this year to ensure that every household has at least one fruit tree”.

-Lynford Simpson