The Agriculture Ministry is reporting that preliminary estimate of damage due to Hurricane Melissa, exceeds, exceed $20 billion.

Technocrats within the ministry briefed Minister Floyd Green of the assessment, while pointing out that final figures are expected to rise as several severely impacted areas remain inaccessible.

In a statement, Green described the situation as catastrophic, noting that Hurricane Melissa has delivered a crippling blow to farmers, fishers and rural communities whose livelihoods are now at extreme risk.

He noted that early reports indicate near total devastation in key crop lines, including an estimated 90 percent loss of banana and plantain and significant destruction across vegetables, tubers, particularly yam, and fruit trees.

Preliminary livestock assessments show major disruption, including the loss of approximately 40 percent of the layer flock.

Fisheries have also been severely hit, with 25 percent of the island’s fishing fleet destroyed and 41 percent of aquaculture farmers reporting damage.

The Minister also noted that these figures represent only the initial assessments and that teams are working at pace to complete full evaluations by Monday, November 10.

The food and agriculture organization has deployed a disaster assessment specialist to support the process and help guide the technical response.

Green emphasized that the Ministry has already activated its recovery plan to stabilize incomes and begin restoration across the worst-affected communities.

He said immediate actions include, support to salvage crops through critical inputs such as fertilizers and other treatments, emergency sourcing of inputs using special procurement channels and the strengthening of market linkages to ensure that available supplies are rapidly absorbed.

Green lamented that many families depend directly on the sector, and their ability to earn has been severely compromised.

He assured that the Ministry will move urgently to support recovery and to ensure that farmers and fishers can rebuild.

The Minister said he will update parliament next week on the full extent of the damage and present the programme of response.

He also reaffirmed that the Government remains committed to restoring the productive base of the agriculture and fisheries sector and ensuring that affected communities are supported throughout the recovery effort.