KINGSTON, Jamaica – Jamaica has allocated J$250 million (US$1.6 million) for the second phase of its Hurricane Melissa recovery programme, targeting farmers who were excluded from the initial round of assistance.
Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Floyd Green. (Photo: JIS)Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining Minister Floyd Green announced the funding during his contribution to the 2026/2027 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on Wednesday.
Green said the ministry is considering a voucher system to provide direct support to affected farmers who were missed during the first phase of the recovery programme.
He said additional assistance would also be provided to livestock, yams, and coffee farmers.
Green said the government would continue promoting backyard food production as part of efforts to strengthen Jamaica’s agricultural resilience.
“This year we will be continuing our Backyard Gardening Programme, and we’ll be distributing 5,000 backyard gardening kits targeting urban spaces and also some aeroponic towers, so we can increase production at home,” he said.
The minister also announced plans to restore fruit tree production after Hurricane Melissa destroyed large numbers of trees across the island.
Under the initiative, Jamaica aims to establish 3,000 acres of orchard crops by 2035, focusing on ackee, breadfruit, mango, coconut and avocado.
Green said the ministry had partnered with Trees That Feed Foundation to introduce three new avocado varieties – Hass, Carla and Semil 34 – to support year-round production.
“These varieties give us the ability to grow avocado right around the year. We will move it from a seasonal crop,” he said.
The government also plans to continue its Citrus Revitalisation Programme and expand cultivation of the Wambugu apple, a Kenyan variety that officials say has adapted well to local conditions.
Green said he has directed the Seed and Nursery Certification Unit at Bodles to work with the Forestry Department to expand fruit tree planting, as part of a national drive to plant a fruit tree in every Jamaican household by 2033.
