The Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC) is inviting local farmers and fisheries producers to submit their applications for consideration in the recently announced Formalising Operators in the Jamaican Agricultural and Fisheries Sector project. The project which is being funded by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and being implemented by the Government of Jamaica is targeting 100 participants as the government aims to increase the number of informal agricultural enterprises formalised.
Project Management & Research Manager at the JBDC, Amanda McKenzie, says the application period will run from February 22 to March 22, 2021. “We have partnered with the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) to target potential applicants islandwide. The forms will be available at all 14 RADA offices, as well as the JBDC offices in Kingston, Manchester, St. Ann, St. James and Westmoreland. Applicants may also download the forms from the JBDC website at www.jbdc.net,” she said.
Applicants may also click on the flyer below to access the form.
CLICK ON FLYER TO APPLY
According to McKenzie, the participants will be selected based on the following criteria:
- Proof of registration with RADA or other local support organisation.
- Enterprises/farms should be operational for a minimum of 1 year.
- Access to land evidenced by a title or lease would be an asset.
- Demonstrated ability to move along the business development continuum.
- Special consideration will be given to the involvement of women, youth and tertiary students.
- Enterprises which demonstrate the use of technology.
“Traditionally, persons tend to associate the agriculture & fisheries sector with males, but approximately 30{c284511de6acb01d35ef8991b906a62a83b461b502a7654ae7220fadea9bb784} of operators in agriculture are females. Therefore, we have a special interest in that segment. As we encourage the use of technology, we are also particularly interested in engaging the youth within the sector. Gone are the days when we had a heavy reliance on ‘fork and hoe’. There are some youth out there who are embracing new methodologies and we want them included in this project,” she added.
The JBDC will be the agency leading the implementation of the project which will focus on two areas: (1) Enterprise Formalisation and (2) Capacity Development. The capacity development approach will see participants benefitting from business development training, product development training and enterprise structuring for improvements in efficiency and effectiveness.
“The training content, methodology, coaching and handholding components will be informed by the gaps identified through the Business Needs Assessment which is to be completed by all beneficiaries. The gaps will take into account actual performance against desired or potential outcomes. The Business Needs Assessment will also capture the beneficiaries’ demographic profile, prior training done in business development, challenges, needs and entrepreneurial mind-set,” McKenzie explained.
Other advanced components of the project includes: strengthening the enterprises’ leadership and governance, business value chain, marketing strategies and access to financing.
Participants will identify and create additional income earning opportunities in crop production and fisheries. They will be introduced to the processes and systems for successfully transitioning from one enterprise development level to the next (developing supply chains, building sustainable relationships with financial institutions and other partners, building resilient businesses) identification of potential market opportunities, strategies for market entry, forging linkages with large players and the strengthening supply and value chains.
The JBDC has launched the call for applications under the campaign ‘Agriculture & Fisheries is Big Business.’ The project is slated to end in November 2021.
