AFJ makes landmark US$750,000 seed donation to support Jamaica
Article By: Old Harbour News
-
- Jul 31, 2026 08:44 AM | Agriculture
-
Members of the American Friends of Jamaica (AFJ) leadership team and Ministry of Agriculture officials pose with a fraction of the over 247,000 packets of organic vegetable, herb, and flower seeds donated to aid islandwide agricultural recovery post-Hurricane Melissa. Pictured (from left) are Mr. Mark Newman, Board Member, AFJ; Mr. Alfred Barrett, Seed and Nursery Certification Programme Manager; Ms. Caron Chung, Executive Director, AFJ; Mr. Michael Pryce, Senior Strategist; Mrs. Kathleen Newman, Board Member, AFJ; Mr. Orville Palmer, Chief Technical Director; Miss Eve Hall; Ms. Sarah Hsia, Director, AFJ; and Ms. Patrice Pitter, Acting Chief Post Entry Quarantine Unit Officer.
Presented during a ceremony at the Bodles Research Station, the occasion marked one of the largest in-kind donations ever coordinated by AFJ and comes at a critical time as farming communities continue rebuilding following Hurricane Melissa. The organic seeds are now completing the required quarantine and testing process to later be distributed through the Ministry and its network of partners to farmers, schools and communities across Jamaica. Priority will be given to the hardest-hit areas, members of the Jamaica Organic Agriculture Movement and schools participating in the Jamaica 4-H Programme.
Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining Floyd Green, said the donation forms part of Jamaica's ongoing agricultural recovery following Hurricane Melissa. He noted that targeted recovery initiatives have already helped drive the country's highest first-quarter vegetable production on record and said continued partnerships such as this are essential to sustaining that progress.
"Recovery is a journey. It's not a single activity. It's a series of ongoing efforts, and this handover is part of that journey. This support will go a long way in boosting local food production, enhancing livelihoods and building greater resilience in our agricultural sector," Minister Green expressed during his remarks.
Meanwhile, AFJ Executive Director Caron Chung said the donation reflects the organisation's commitment to creating lasting impact through partnerships that strengthen communities and support Jamaica's long-term development.
"These seeds represent far more than packets on a table. They represent tomatoes and peppers on a family table, herbs in a school nutrition programme, vegetables in the markets and opportunities for farmers to increase production and improve their livelihoods. Most importantly, they represent hope," Chung said.
Chung noted that agriculture aligns closely with AFJ's mission of advancing sustainable development across Jamaica through investments in education, healthcare and economic opportunity.
"Agriculture sits at the heart of economic development because it nourishes families, creates jobs, supports rural communities and strengthens national resilience," she said.
The donation was made possible through a collaboration between Back to the Roots and longtime friend and supporter Ayesha Curry, whose mother is Jamaican. Moved by the impact of Hurricane Melissa on farming communities, Curry encouraged the company to explore ways it could support the island's recovery, helping to bring the donation to fruition.
"Back to the Roots is honoured to support Jamaica's recovery efforts. We're grateful to Ayesha Curry for bringing this opportunity to our attention, and alongside our partners, we hope this seed donation helps strengthen food security and supports communities as they rebuild," said Nikhil Arora and Alejandro Velez, Co-Founders of Back to the Roots.
For many small farmers, access to quality seed represents one of the largest recurring investments made each planting season. By reducing this cost, the donation is expected to help farmers reinvest in production, strengthen local food systems and build greater resilience within their communities.
