Hurricane Melissa Devastates Jamaica’s Farmers and Fishers

Hurricane Melissa has struck Jamaica with devastating force, severely impacting the livelihoods of farmers and fishers across the island. The storm, which brought winds reaching up to 185 mph (298 kph), has already been linked to at least 19 fatalities and left extensive damage in its wake.

In the small fishing community of White House, located in Westmoreland parish, local fisherman Prince Davis discovered that his 50-foot (15-meter) fishing boat sustained significant damage, including a hole in its stern and destruction to the cabin and back deck. Davis, who was in Nicaragua seeking new customers for his fish business when the storm struck, expressed his concern, saying, “It’s going to be very rough. With the damage now, no one will be buying products.” His father’s boat remains unaccounted for, adding to the uncertainty facing his family and community.

Further north in the same parish, farmer Denver Thorpe reported the loss of 15 acres (6 hectares) of mango trees and two greenhouses on his farm. Thorpe, who is also a regional manager for the Jamaica Agricultural Society, noted, “There’s absolutely nothing” left in the wake of the hurricane. The impact on agriculture is severe, as many small-scale farmers and fishers struggle to recover.

The storm’s brutal conditions have led to unprecedented destruction, with Jamaica’s agriculture ministry not yet providing a comprehensive assessment of the sector’s losses. However, experts believe that the repercussions will be felt by tens of thousands of individuals reliant on farming and fishing for their livelihoods. The World Food Program’s regional director for Latin America and the Caribbean, Lola Castro, indicated that crops along the hurricane’s path have been significantly damaged, stating, “I would say every (crop) that was on the path has been damaged, there’s no discussion on that.”

The ongoing crisis compounds existing food insecurity issues in the region. Even before Hurricane Melissa, the number of food-insecure individuals across Jamaica, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic had reached approximately 10 million. This storm comes just 15 months after Hurricane Beryl, which had already impacted over 50,000 farmers and 11,000 fishers, resulting in losses of approximately $4.73 billion Jamaican dollars (around $29 million USD) according to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining.

Jamaica’s agriculture sector, which employs over 200,000 farmers who cultivate crops such as bananas, melons, and cocoa for both local consumption and export, faces a critical challenge. The island is known for being one of the world’s largest yam exporters, and its coffee industry alone generates $25 million USD annually. Notably, around 80% of these producers are small-scale farmers operating on less than 2 hectares of land.

As farmers typically rely on the October rains to plant crops for the Christmas season, the timing of Hurricane Melissa is particularly devastating. Prior to the storm, the agriculture ministry advised fishers to secure their equipment and urged farmers to harvest any crops they could. The extent of the damage has exceeded expectations, with reports indicating that St. Elizabeth parish, known as Jamaica’s “breadbasket,” is “under water.”

The fishing community also faces unique challenges. Davis highlighted that the loss of boats, nets, and traps is compounded by the lack of electricity, making it impossible to store catches without ice. The downturn in tourism further reduces demand for fish, jeopardizing the financial stability of fishers who depend on daily sales to support their families.

The situation is more precarious for women producers, many of whom are heads of households. They often rely on selling small quantities of produce to sustain their families. Similar challenges are evident in Cuba and Haiti, where the impacts of the storm are worsened by ongoing political and economic crises. In Haiti, where Hurricane Melissa has been linked to 31 deaths, the flooding has exacerbated existing hunger issues.

While Cuba managed to evacuate 735,000 people without reported fatalities, damage to crops such as plantain, corn, and various vegetables has been substantial. The country, already facing a severe economic crisis, spends around $2 billion USD annually on food imports. However, some positive outcomes have emerged; heavy rainfall from the storm has replenished dams and reservoirs that had been suffering from drought conditions.

As relief efforts continue across the Caribbean, immediate needs include shelter, healthcare, food, and clean water. Food producers will require financial assistance to recover lost income, replace equipment and livestock, and procure new seeds. The Jamaican government maintains reserve funds and catastrophe bonds for disaster relief but delivering aid to small-scale producers can be a lengthy process.

With airports reopening, Davis is anxious to return to White House to begin rebuilding his life. He faces the daunting task of repairing his boat and home, and he remains uncertain about when he will be able to resume fishing. “My worry is about when will the economy be back to normal, where life goes on as it was before,” he said. “Everyone is picking up the pieces.”