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Latest News International News North & East Environment Social Love Horse Racing World Champs Commonwealth Games FIFA World Cup 2022 Entertainment Art & Culture Tuesday Style Food Awards JOL Takes Style Out Design Week JA Black Friday Relationships Classifieds Motor Vehicles Place an Ad Jobs & Careers Study Centre Jnr Study Centre Advertorial Supplements Latest News International News North & East Environment Social Love Horse Racing World Champs Commonwealth Games FIFA World Cup 2022 Entertainment Art & Culture Tuesday Style Food Awards JOL Takes Style Out Design Week JA Black Friday Relationships Classifieds Motor Vehicles Place an Ad Jobs & Careers Study Centre Jnr Study Centre Advertorial Supplements International News Food Awards Entertainment World Champs Career & Education Environment Advertorial Supplements Classifieds Design Week Oral Brown Latest News, News November 11, 2025 Portland farmers grateful despite losses from devastating hurricane PORTLAND, Jamaica — Despite ongoing efforts to salvage what remains after Hurricane Melissa, farmers in Portland are expressing gratitude that the devastation was not worse. When Observer Online visited Orange Bay in the parish, a father-and-son duo, Dennis and Oral Brown, were busy salvaging coconuts from their farm. Dennis said they had been working since 7:00 am to gather what they could. His son, Oral, explained that the hurricane wiped out several of their crops, including plantain, jackfruit and avocado trees. “So now weh we a try do is get the jelly weh leave back off the farm and also the plantain…we nuh have nuh sell for it but you know we trying,” said Oral. Farming is the Browns’ main source of income, but the family’s earnings have taken a significant hit. They managed to salvage about 500 coconuts, only half of their original target of 1,000, after failing to make any sales the week before. Oral shared that he plans to sell the coconuts to the pick-up man who did not show up the previous week. The family is pricing coconuts at $10,000 per 100 and plantains at $800 per dozen. A walk through their property revealed the extent of the damage, including fallen branches, spoiled produce, and damp, slippery soil. In addition to farming, Dennis also raises goats and hogs. Despite the losses, Dennis said he was thankful that conditions weren’t worse. “We still giving thanks for life,” he said. Over on the border of Portland and St Mary, long-time farmer and fruit vendor Prince Dias faced similar struggles. “All plantain, all banana flat out. We nuh have no food fi feed people now,” he shared. Dias, who has been selling his produce for 15 years, estimates it will take nine months to a year to recover fully. “It ago take a whole bunch of hard work fi get it back,” he said. For now, Dias is focusing on raising his two goats and, like the Browns, acknowledges that it could have been worse. — Carlysia Ramdeen Tags: Farmers Hurricane Melissa Portland {"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"} 0 Comments · Make a comment ALSO ON JAMAICA OBSERVER Latest News, Regional COP30 opens with countries urged to push for faster climate progress November 11, 2025 BELEM, Brazil (CMC) – The 30th Conference of the Parties of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) began here on Monday, with a clear ... {"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"} Latest News Police constable killed in Moneague crash November 11, 2025 ST ANN, Jamaica — The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) High Command is mourning the death of a police constable who was killed in a motor vehicle coll... {"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"} Latest News Fire destroys two buildings in Falmouth November 11, 2025 FALMOUTH, Trelawny — Fire of unknown origin gutted two buildings along Cornwall Street in the seaside town of Falmouth during the early hours of Tuesd... {"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"} International News, Latest News, Sports Cristiano Ronaldo says 2026 World Cup ‘definitely’ his last November 11, 2025 RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AFP) — Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo on Tuesday said next year's World Cup would be his last as he winds down one of th... {"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"} Latest News, News Firearm seized in Riversdale, St Catherine November 10, 2025 ST CATHERINE, Jamaica — The police have recovered a 9mm pistol and an affixed magazine during an operation conducted in the Lodge district of Riversda... {"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"} Latest News, News US pledges additional US$10 million for Jamaica’s hurricane recovery November 10, 2025 KINGSTON, Jamaica — The United States (US) has pledged an additional US$10 million to support Jamaica’s recovery from the devastating impact of Hurric... {"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"} Latest News, News WATCH: Taxi operators patch potholes on Red Hills Road November 10, 2025 KINGSTON, Jamaica — A group of taxi operators on Sunday came together to patch several potholes in the vicinity of Calabar High School and Lees Food F... {"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"} HOUSE RULES We welcome reader comments on the top stories of the day. 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