KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining has activated its emergency protocols and has convened its disaster management and mitigation committee in preparation for Hurricane Melissa.

Portfolio Minister Floyd Green made the disclosure during a press briefing on Saturday at Jamaica House.

He implored farmers and fishers to follow the ministry’s advisories in their preparations for the system, which has strengthened into a category four hurricane.

“We have seen …that the [system] has strengthened and based on the forecast, we are to get significant rain and significant wind. As such, we are saying to our farmers to take the necessary precautions,” Green said.

He noted that the ministry has been working with crop farmers to harvest what they can to minimise losses, and with livestock farmers to ensure that they have sufficient feed and clean water for their animals.

“If animals are in a flood-prone area, move them to higher ground. It is very important that they act now, especially in preparing silage, so that the animals will have feed during the [hurricane],” the minister advised.

“We have sent out advisories through our Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) teams that have been out in the field. Our extension officers have been visiting with farmers telling them to put precautions in place,” he added.

Green reminded farmers to clear drains to allow free flow of water to reduce flooding, trim trees and store chemicals in a dry area.

“We know that with a lot of rain comes the onset of a lot of fungus. You need to have your fungicides… we don’t want anyone trying to venture out in the weather event to try to save their crops and animals. That often causes loss of life, so make these preparations now,” he said.

Green also urged greenhouse farmers to remove external coverings to prevent them from being damaged by the high winds.

“You are to strip your greenhouses. Take off the plastic so that the wind can pass through. Originally, we were just talking about rain but as you have seen, based on the trajectory of the [system], we are going to have significant wind, so we are asking our farmers to follow the protocols,” he urged.

With respect to agro parks, Minister Green said RADA and Agro-Investment Corporation identified critical drains for cleaning to reduce the impact of flooding.

The Sugar Company of Jamaica (SCJ) Holdings Limited has been directed to undertake those works.

The minister urged farmers and fishers to heed the warnings from the Meteorological Office of Jamaica (Met Office).

“Follow the advisories that we will be issuing from RADA, from the National Fisheries Authority. Make your final preparations now; the Government will be there to help you get through after all of this has passed,” he assured.

— JIS