Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Hon. Floyd Green (centre), is joined by Minister of State in the Ministry, Franklin Witter (fourth left); Chief Technical Director for Special Projects in the Ministry, Courtney Cole (left); Chief Executive Officer, Agro-Investment Corporation (Agro-Invest), Vivion Scully (third right); Deputy Chairman of the Agro-Invest Board, Trisha Williams-Singh (second left); and beneficiaries during the handover of equipment, agricultural inputs and land-clearing services to farmers in Essex Valley. The presentation formed part of the Essex Valley Agro Economic Zone Handover Ceremony at the Essex Valley Agro Processing Facility in St. Elizabeth on Wednesday, September 2, 2026.

Farmers in Essex Valley, St. Elizabeth, who were affected by Hurricane Melissa have received more than $5 million in agricultural equipment, irrigation supplies and inputs through the Agro-Investment Corporation (Agro-Invest), as efforts continue to restore production and advance the Essex Valley Agro Economic Zone.

The package includes black water tanks, irrigation drip tape, two walk-behind tractors, weed whackers, chainsaws, fertiliser and additional buckets under the Agro-Invest Boost Recovery Programme. Agro-Invest is also assisting with the clearing of approximately 10 acres of agricultural land.

Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Hon. Floyd Green, said the intervention responds directly to the practical needs identified by farmers following Hurricane Melissa, which caused crop losses, damage to productive assets and equipment, and disruptions in traditional markets.

“This will be critical in helping our farmers prepare lands, restore productive capacity, improve water storage and irrigation, maintain their farms, and ultimately drive production,” Minister Green said.

He also announced that the Essex Valley irrigation project is approximately 98 per cent complete with some farmers expected to begin receiving irrigation water by the end of September. Approximately 350 applications for irrigation water have been received, with about 40 farmers having made payments.

“What I can guarantee is that by the end of September, even before we do an official launch, some farmers in this area will start getting the water,” Minister Green said.

The irrigation development forms part of the Government’s wider strategy for Essex Valley, which brings together irrigation, farm roads, agricultural services, farmer organisations, processing and market access. More than 30 kilometres of roads have also been completed under the project.

The Essex Valley Farmers' Benevolent Society now has its own office within the Agro-Economic Zone, alongside Agro-Investment Corporation, the Rural Agricultural Development Authority and the National Irrigation Commission, giving farmers access to key agricultural services in one location.

Minister Green also pointed to the Essex Valley Agro Processing Facility, developed at a cost of approximately $9.4 billion, as a major investment aimed at reducing post-harvest losses, expanding agro-processing and strengthening connections between farmers and local and export markets.

He said the Ministry is looking to irrigated production areas such as Essex Valley to help increase agricultural output as dry conditions affect other farming areas and preparations begin for the Christmas period.

Minister Green encouraged farmers to make full use of the equipment, irrigation and other infrastructure being provided to strengthen production in the area.

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