Relief for farmers as insurance payouts begin
Published:Thursday | November 13, 2025 | 12:10 AMSashana Small/Staff Reporter
After Hurricane Melissa gutted his 10-acre farm in Ebony Park, Clarendon, destroying several acres of crops, Wayne Shaw is now finding some relief as one of more than 130 farmers to receive a payout from the GraceKennedy (GK) Weather Protect Insurance Programme.
“It’s a start. It won’t do a lot, but it’s a start,” said Shaw, who has been farming for nearly 40 years.
He explained that he primarily grows papaya, cassava, and melon for the local market, and had been preparing for harvest before the Category 5 hurricane ripped through the island on October 28.
Shaw told The Gleaner at yesterday’s handover exercise that he’s glad he decided to sign up for the insurance.
“At the time, it sound like a good idea because we’ve never had insurance for farmers, and when it came out, we just jumped at it,” he said.
Trelawny yam farmer Cordian Taylor is equally thankful that she registered for the programme, especially after losing more than 3,000 yam heads to the storm.
“Mi feel good, and a lucky ting mi join it,” she said, expressing her relief as she awaits her payout.
SUBSIDISED AGRI INSURANCE
Launched in 2021, the GK Weather Protect Programme is a collaboration among GK General Insurance Company Limited; the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining; and the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA). The initiative promotes climate resilience by offering subsidised agricultural insurance tailored to Jamaica’s weather risks.
Farmers were covered for one of three perils – excess rainfall, drought, or hurricane winds. In total, 61 farmers will receive the maximum payout of either $50,000 or $150,000, amounting to $4.25 million.
An additional 28 farmers will receive 25 per cent payments, totalling $800,000; 14 farmers will receive 15 per cent payments, totalling $120,000; 19 farmers will receive 10 per cent payments, totalling $200,000; and nine farmers will receive five per cent payments, totalling $70,000.
Of this number, members of the Jamaica Network of Rural Women Producers group will receive support valued at $2,207,500, including 12 farmers who will each receive the maximum payout of $150,000, reflecting the severe losses they sustained.
Of the total beneficiaries, 98 farmers registered with RADA will receive approximately $2.8 million, with 49 getting the maximum payout of $50,000 through the ministry’s intervention.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, Orette Duncan, client and partner services manager at GK General Insurance, emphasised the importance of proactive climate risk management.
“Today, we are not just handing over the funds. We’re standing in solidarity with all our farmers and, in fact, all our people. We are also reaffirming our commitment to strengthening Jamaica’s food security, protecting livelihoods, and fortifying the agricultural sector against future climate events,” he said.
Meanwhile, Agriculture Minister Floyd Green said the insurance provides a means for farmers to be better prepared against weather events.
He noted that the Government directly supported the programme by providing $7.5 million to subsidise the parametric insurance policy. He said base level coverage was provided for hurricane wind protection, $2,500 per person, and $3,750 for excess rain and drought per person for each season.
He also lauded the efficacy of the programme.
“We have seen payouts from almost every single major weather event that has happened. So in 2022, 817 farmers got payouts. [In] 2024, [it was] 387 farmers,” he said.
He stressed the need to expand participation in the programme, especially after Hurricane Melissa caused nearly $30 billion in agricultural losses.
“Part of what I want the GK Insurance team to do is to engage the National Fisheries Authority and to also make our fishers ... appreciate that this policy is an agricultural-based policy, [for] crop, livestock [farmers] and fishers; and to get them to also sign up,” he said.