MINISTER FLOYD GREEN LEADS RELIEF DISTRIBUTION: 20 POUNDS OF RICE AND WATER FOR EVERY PAROTTEE RESIDENT

MINISTER FLOYD GREEN LEADS RELIEF DISTRIBUTION: 20 POUNDS OF RICE AND WATER FOR EVERY PAROTTEE RESIDENT

By: Wayne Forbes /GTV Editor

February 13, 2026

KINGSTON, Jamaica – Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries Floyd Green personally oversaw the distribution of emergency relief supplies to residents of Parottee this week, with each household receiving 20 pounds of rice and one gallon of clean drinking water to support community wellbeing amid ongoing supply chain challenges.

The initiative, coordinated with local parish councils and community leaders, targeted all 347 households in the rural community, ensuring no family was left without essential provisions. Speaking at the distribution site at Parottee Primary School, Minister Green emphasized that the effort was part of a broader government commitment to strengthening food security in vulnerable areas.

“We know that access to nutritious food and safe water is fundamental to building strong communities,” Minister Green stated. “Parottee has faced unique challenges with transportation and supply access, and today’s distribution is about standing with our people and ensuring they have the basics they need to thrive.”

Volunteers from the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF) and local youth groups assisted with organizing the distribution process, implementing a streamlined system to minimize wait times and maintain order. Residents arrived in scheduled batches, with priority given to elderly citizens and families with young children.

Sixty-eight-year-old Parottee resident Marcia Campbell expressed gratitude for the support. “This rice will feed my family for weeks, and having clean water means we don’t have to travel miles to collect it,” she said. “To see the Minister here, helping hand out supplies himself, shows that our government cares about small communities like ours.”

The relief items were sourced from local Jamaican farmers and water treatment facilities, aligning with the ministry’s goal of supporting domestic producers while addressing immediate community needs. Minister Green noted that this distribution is the first phase of a longer-term plan for Parottee, which will include infrastructure improvements to enhance regular supply delivery to the area.

“Our work doesn’t stop here,” Minister Green added. “We’re already planning to upgrade local road networks and establish a community water point that will provide reliable access to clean water year-round. This relief effort is a foundation for building greater resilience in Parottee.”

Local government representative for the area, Councillor Denise Morgan, praised the collaborative approach. “Bringing together government agencies, volunteers and community members has made this initiative a success,” she said. “It’s proof that when we work in partnership, we can make real, positive changes for our people.”

Distribution concluded ahead of schedule, with all households receiving their supplies by mid-afternoon on the second day of operations. The ministry has committed to conducting follow-up assessments in Parottee over the next month to identify additional support needs.