CaFAN

Newsletter
Issue 8

IN THIS ISSUE

New faces in
Agriculture……………1

CaFAN holds National

Consultation
meetings………………..3

CaFAN members receives

support from FAO under
the EU
AAACP…………………….4

NEFO holds Buyer-

Grower meeting ………5

CaFAN sits on CTA ARDYIS

regional
committee………………..6
armers in St. Kitts and Nevis were encouraged to take full advantage of new
business ideas and business models across the Caribbean region at a CaFAN CaFAN holds Executive
th
National Consultation meeting which took place in St. Kitts on April 7 , 2010. meeting…………………….7
Jethro Greene, Chief Coordinator of CAFAN
Highlights of Agro fest
visited St. Kitts and Nevis from April 5-8, 2010
and met with local farmers, agriculture 2010 ………………………8
stakeholders and members of the St. Kitts
Farmers Cooperative Society and the Nevis CaFAN Secretariat hosts
Growers. Canadian
Interns…………………..10
The visit is part of a series of Consultation
meetings held by CaFAN through its partnership JAS moves to empower
contract with the Technical Centre for
Agricultural and Rural Cooperation (CTA).
farmers …………………….11

Speaking at the official ceremony, Mr. Greene ….More

highlighted that agriculture in St. Kitts and Nevis
is relatively new since it has only recently turned
into non-sugarcane agriculture and with a
relatively young farming community, this gives
the country an advantage over its sister
countries who have been into agriculture for a
longer time. He noted that in countries like
continued on page 2
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Managing Editor: Jethro Greene | Administrative Support: Nyasha Durrant | Compilation, Editing,
1 Consultant: Jeff Trotman
Design and Layout: Pet Secretarial Services | Communication
Editor’s Note
Dear Readers, Continued from page 1

CaFAN’s network of volunteers have been extremely busy over the last
several months participating in meetings and discussions looking at Dominica where food
programmes for the agriculture sector. A lot of these new activities are production has been a
business for a long time, it has
inspired by a seemingly renewed interest by some of the skeptics in the been challenging to introduce
agriculture sector. new models since most
farmers have a tradition about
the way farming is done. St.
The potential food crisis, hungry people and climate change are among
Kitts, on the other hand, has a
the factors which seemed to be influencing ‘change of minds’ on the part of chance to start something new
those who have declared agriculture in the Caribbean a dead area and have to its advantage.
pushed it to the backburner of social and economic activities.
The meeting was attended by:
Permanent Secretary in the
Farmer organisations must be careful that they do not get sidetracked Ministry of Youth and Sports,
from their main goals and objectives of empowerment of farmers and Lloyd Lazar; Director of
Cooperatives, Antonio Wilson;
ensuring improved standards of living for farmers. CaFAN’s Information
Technology Officer, Telojo
While we attend all these meetings and discussions we must stay true to Onu; and members of the St.
Kitts Farmers Cooperative
our concept and ideology of ensuring that farmers and their organisations Society Limited,
control most of the value chain from farm to fork.
During the Consultation, Mr.
Greene was taken on
Farmer Organisations in the CaFAN and outside the CaFAN network
numerous field visits and met
must ensure that we continue to be united by not allowing ourselves to fall with several farmers.
into the divide and conquer game.
He encouraged the farmers
that despite the negative
Let us show the world that the so-called ‘can’t unite’ mentality that some things that may be said about
are trying to impose on the Caribbean is a thing of the past of which CaFAN farming in St. Kitts, they must
is showing and will continue to show that in the present negative words such continue to work together as a
group and engage not only
as disunity, failure and hopelessness are not in our vocabulary. members of the cooperative,
but also other farmers,
I now invite you to explore this issue of Agrivybz with us! including all agricultural
stakeholders.

The St. Kitts and Nevis

Jethro Greene, Chief Coordinator
Caribbean Farmers Network (CaFAN)
consultation meeting was
organized by the St. Kitts
Farmers Cooperative Society
through its Treasurer Deslyn
Moses, Secretary Joseph
O’Flaherty and President
Arabella Nisbett.
CaFAN holds National Consultation
Meetings
ith a focus on strengthening
national farmer
organisations within its
membership, several national
consultation meetings were held by
the CaFAN Secretariat in Dominica
(March 31st), St. Kitts (April 7th) and
Barbados (April 15th) with Jamaica
being scheduled for April 29, 2010.
The main purpose of the meetings
was to mobilize new members and
establish CaFAN national focal
points. The national focal points will
allow for better communication and
dialogue between CaFAN and
farmer organisations.
The CaFAN Secretariat realizes that
the legitimacy, credibility and
effectiveness of CaFAN as a
regional network, require the Mr. Greene and members of the St. Kitts Farmers Cooperative during a
participation of all representatives of field visit of the St. Kitts National consultation meeting
national farmer organisations in the
CaFAN member countries. regional organisations including the Mr. Greene at the consultation in St.
CARICOM Secretariat. Kitts made the recommendation for
Jethro Greene, Chief Coordinator of He outlined CaFAN’s focus and the Cooperatives to engage other
CaFAN, facilitated in the priority areas for the next two years, farmers in St. Kitts who might not be
consultation meetings and received including a joint regional marketing a part of the Cooperative but who
a great level of support from programme. He distributed special might be encouraged to become
members and the local agriculture registration forms of selected crops members when they see the
sector including the Ministry of that are being targeted in the advantages of working together.
Agriculture and the Caribbean CaFAN marketing programme.
Agriculture Research and In Barbados, the Barbados
Development Institute (CARDI) who In Dominica, it was recommended Agriculture Society will remain the
assisted in organizing and bringing that the Dominica Hucksters CaFAN focal point and discussions
the farmers/ farmers organisations Association and the National made were based on strengthening
together, and in some cases, Association for Youth in Agriculture, the Society’s capacity to be a key
provided financial support. along with a representative from the point of contact in the CaFAN
Ministry of Agriculture meet to regional marketing programme of
Mr. Greene in his presentations discuss the point of contact for which Barbados has been selected
spoke about the importance of CaFAN since a decision was not as a key country.
networking and collaboration which realized at the meeting. In 2008/2009, CaFAN conducted
will allow farmers to have stronger
consultation meetings in Grenada,
position on issues that directly relate In St. Kitts and Nevis, the St. Kitts St. Lucia, Antigua and Guyana.
to them. He spoke of the work Farmers Cooperative Society was These consultation meetings are
CaFAN has been doing for the selected to be the CaFAN focal supported under CaFAN’s
farmers within the Secretariat and point in St. Kitts and in Nevis, it will partnership contract with Technical
on a regional level, of engaging be the Nevis Growers Association. Centre for Agricultural and Rural
Cooperation (CTA_EU_ACP),

3
CaFAN members receives support from
FAO under EU AAACP
n November 2008, farmer organisations and other agricultural stakeholders across the CaFAN network
attended and participated in a CaFAN regional workshop on “strengthening the capacity of farmer
organizations to respond to changing agriculture markets”. The workshop paved the way forward for five
farmer organisations to be selected by FAO for support under the EU AAACP programme. In early 2009, two
organisations (Eastern Caribbean Trading Agriculture and Development Organisation (ECTAD) in St. Vincent and the
Christiana Potato Growers Cooperative Association (CPGCA) in Jamaica) signed their first Letter of Agreement with
FAO to strengthen their capacities to improve the production and marketing of root and tubers.

In February/March 2010, the North East Farmers Organisation (NEFO) in Grenada received their first LoA, while
CPGCA has received a second LoA.

Synopsis of CPGCA LoA Synopsis of NEFO LoA

The LoA with NEFO aim to improve NEFO staff
Support activities under the second LoA between FAO and farmer group leaders’ capacity in the
and CPGCA aim to strengthen CPGCA staff and farmer following areas:
group leaders’ capacity in: - management of a farmer organization,
- production and marketing coordination; group formation and organization;
- marketing skills; - improved supplies through application of
modern production technologies,
- product quality through better harvest and
production planning and crop record
post harvest techniques; keeping;
- Provision of advisory services based on - product quality through improved harvest
improved training materials and information. and post harvest techniques;
- Improved marketing and contract
Activities include: negotiation skills.
a) Improvement of CPGCA’s farmer data base and
Specific activities include:
crop production monitoring and forecasting - Developing the organizations –buyers’
system: current business model.
b) Improve the market supply of roots and tubers - Organizing a grower-buyer meeting to
and reduce marketing costs through training in review an upgrading strategy and confirm
crop record keeping, cost of production and identified critical success factors
- Implement upgrading strategy which
profit calculations, marketing extension, and
involves training a two days training
post-harvest handling workshop
- Improve the market supply of roots and
Activities under the LoA will be implemented by CPGCA tubers and reduce marketing costs
with farmers from 15 districts in the 5 parishes of through training in marketing extension,
Manchester, St. Elizabeth, Trelawney, St. Ann and contract negotiations and post-harvest
handling
Clarendon, in which CPGCA has members.

CaFAN will play a facilitating role within the implementation of the LoAs by ensuring all activities are carried out on
time and reporting meets the required timeline.
NEFO hosted Grower-Buyer meeting
n Wednesday 24th April, 2010, the North East Farmers Organization Presentations were made following
(NEFO) hosted a one-day Grower-Buyer meeting at the National the opening ceremony of the
Stadium Grenada to get feedback on the Critical Success Factors as workshop on Market Opportunities
set out in its current business model for the enhanced production and for Root Crops (Jethro Greene,
marketing of roots and tubers. CaFAN), FAO support to NEFO
under the Roots and Tubers
This event is the first activity for NEFO under the Regional Roots and Tubers Project (Mr. Heiko Bammann,
Project that is funded by the European Union All ACP Agricultural FAO), NEFO Current Business
Commodities Program (EU AAACP) and implemented by the Food and Model (Mr. Evans Goodings,
Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and Caribbean Farmers President NEFO), Technical
Network in collaboration with Grenada Marketing & National Importing Board Perspective on the production of
(MNIB). roots and Tubers (Mr. Reginald
Participating organizations include farmers from the benefiting organization, Andall, CARDI Country
NEFO, along with buyers from the hotels, restaurants, public market, Representative), and Marketing
supermarkets, MNIB, and suppliers of goods/ services such as agriculture Perspective of Roots and Tubers
input suppliers, ministry of agriculture extension officers and CARDI. Over 50 (Fitzroy James, MNIB).
participants attended the meeting.
The opening ceremony was addressed by government ministers Hon Denis
Lett, Minister for Agriculture, who represented Prime Minister Tillman Thomas,
Hon Nazim Burke, Parliamentary Representative for St. George North East
Constituency, Mr. Jethro Greene, Chief Coordinator Caribbean Farmers
Network (CaFAN) and Mr. Heiko Bammann, Enterprise Development Officer
of the Food and Agriculture Organization.
In the welcome remarks, the President of NEFO, Evans Goodings noted that
“Too long you the buyers have been at our mercy as you had to choose from
what we bring to you. We want to include you –give you a chance to tell us
what you want us to do to satisfy your needs. Tell us how you want us to CRITICAL CRITICAL
deliver what you want. Think of yourself as the most important persons here SUCCESS SUCCESS
and leaving us here today with what your needs are.” FACTORS FACTORS –
In addition to outlining FAO support to NEFO under this project, Mr. PRODUCERS BUYERS
Bammann’s presentation went on to discuss the importance of Critical • Buyer for • Provide
Success Factors and its relevance for the day’s proceedings. He noted that Product Competitive
the Critical Success Factors (CSF) are the most important factors affecting • Know what prices
buyer decisions and satisfaction with chain products and services. Buyers are • Assurance of
Looking For Consistent
• Enterprise supply
Profitability • Provide
• Technology Standardized
• Supply of Quality
Inputs • Generate
• Resources Consumer
to produce Confidence
crop through
• Providing
Superior
Service to
Customers

L-R: Jethro Greene, Heiko Bammann, Evans Goodings and Hon. Michael Lett
5
CaFAN sits on CTA’s “ARDYIS project”
regional committee
he Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation
(CTA_ACP_EU) is launching a new project on Youth,
Agriculture Rural Development and ICTs (ARDYIS project).
The overall aim of the ARDYIS project is to contribute to
sustainable agriculture and rural development in ACP countries
and increased involvement of the youth. More specifically, the
project will raise the awareness of youth on the issues of rural and
agricultural development for ACP countries as well as raise their
capacity on ICT use for rural development.

The Caribbean Farmers Network (CaFAN) was invited by CTA to

sit as a regional partner on the Advisory Committee of the project,
among other CTA regional partners in the ACP regions.

The Committee will be composed of ACP organizations, mostly

regional or international. Regional partners will:
- Help disseminate information to their relevant networks, to
youth in general and mobilize them for participation in the
Ms. Keeley Holder is an project;
Integrated Pest - Help identify issues and suggest ideas that will help the
Management (IPM) project to reach its expected results;
- contribute to the practical organization of some activities
Specialist and a young
as possible, on a pro-bono basis.
business farmer in the
production of CaFAN has accepted the invitation to sit on the committee, and
vegetables in Barbados. has selected its Agricultural Officer, Ms. Keeley Holder of
Ms. Holder also sits as Barbados as the key CaFAN representative along with an alternate
the Vice President on (if Ms. Holder is not available).
the Barbados
Agriculture Society’s, CTA has been a major contributor to the success of CaFAN and
Fruit and Vegetable we wish to thank them for their support and numerous
commodity group contributions to agriculture and rural development throughout the
region. It is our hope that all organizations within the CaFAN
network will take full advantage of the ARDYIS project.

Ms. Holder is scheduled to be in France in April 2010 where the

first meeting is tentatively schedule to take place.
CaFAN Holds Executive Meeting
n February 28t, 2010 executive
members of the CaFAN Interim
Committee and other
representatives of CaFAN member
organisations met at Blue Horizon Hotel.
The purpose of the meeting was to give
an update on the status of CaFAN and
plan the wary forward for CaFAN’s
programme activities and area of focus for
2010 – 2011 based on the general
recommendations from members and
action plans from CaFAN regional
workshops.

Senator Norman Grant called the meeting

to order and congratulated Mrs. Dhano
Sookoo for victory at the Agricultural
Society of Trinidad and Tobago (ASTT)
last Board election which was held in
January 2010. He also indicated
CaFAN’s support to ASTT for seeking to
extend the life of the Board from one (1) CaFAN Executive members, Norman Grant, Dhano Sookoo and Jethro Greene
year to three (3) years.
In Attendance:
Jethro Greene, Chief Coordinator and CaFAN Secretariat were also
congratulated for the coordinating work involved in implementing CaFAN - Dhano Sookoo – ASTT
programme activities. It is his hope that ECTAD will continue as the CaFAN - Ethan Benjamin- ASTT
Secretariat. Mr. James Paul CaFAN Director and Chief Executive Officer of the - Gaynell Seenath- ASTT
Barbados Agricultural Society was also congratulated on Agrofest 2010, including - James Paul – BAS
Mr. Tyrone Power as the President of the BAS who was also one of the founding - Jethro Greene- ECTAD
members of CaFAN when it was first conceptualized in 2002. - Keeley Holder – BAS
- Norman Grant- JAS
The minutes from the last CaFAN Executive Meeting held in Jamaica (July 2009) - Richard Singh- ASTT
were discussed and the motion to approve the minutes were moved by Mr. Paul - Sharie Nile Hypolite
and seconded by Mr. Greene. - Staceyanne Jack- ASTT

CaFAN Operations were also discussed and Mr. Greene noted that CaFAN is only as strong as its members. A
CaFAN General meeting was recommended for the end of 2010 to formularize the CaFAN Constitution and Board of
Directors.
Among the discussions were:
- Update on CaFAN:
- Workshops, publications, network meetings, website, Constitution, Strategic plan
- Upcoming activities
- FAO Roots and Tubers Project – Barbados, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, St. Vincent and the Grenadines
- CARDI Roots and Tubers project
- CTA request for 2010-2011
- Setting up of CaFAN Trading Company for Regional marketing and Extra regional marketing
- Update on CaFAN members information and commitment
- Oxfam CaFAN Agro-tourism project in Jamaica
- Youth and Women in Agriculture

7
Agrofest 2010 was held from
February 26-28, 2010 at the
Queen’s Park in Barbados.
Agrofest is Barbados’ premier
National Agricultural Exhibition
that was reintroduced by the
Barbados Agricultural Society
(BAS) for the first time in over
thirty years in January 2005. The
theme under Agrofest 2010 was
“Green Today...Sustain
Tomorrow”.

The exhibition is produced by the

BAS and partnered by the
Ministry of Agriculture and Rural
Development. It provides an
opportunity for all stakeholders of
the agricultural sector, both local
and overseas to come together
and showcase a variety of their
products and services. It also Mr. James Paul (centre), CEO of BAS holding hands with CaFAN Director Mrs.
highlights the different Dhano Sookoo with Minister of Agriculture, Haynsley Benn and Minister of
opportunities within the sector as Foreign Affairs and Trade, Hon. Christopher Sinckler and other dignitaries in
a means of attraction. Barbados at the opening of Agrofest 2010

The mandate of Agrofest is to

sensitize Barbadians to the value
of the agricultural sector, with a
view to creating a society which
supports and appreciates the
concept of food security, while
recognizing the fact that the
sustainability of this sector
depends on the establishment of
linkages with the other sectors of
our economy. Agrofest seeks to
strengthen links, which are vital in
Barbados’ efforts at attaining food
security through increased local
food production, the reduction of
a high food import bill and the
enhancement of the quality of
local food. Agrofest also has a
mandate to highlight the career
opportunities available to young
people in Barbados’ Agricultural
Sector. CaFAN Directors and members of the Agriculture Society of Trinidad and Tobago
(ASTT) off to Agrofest exhibition
The Barbados Agriculture Society (BAS) currently comprises the following Agricultural Commodity Groups:
- Barbados Egg and Poultry Producers
- Barbados Beef and Dairy Producers
- Barbados Association of Pig Farmers
- Barbados Sheep Farmers Association
- Barbados Fruit and Vegetable Producers
- Floraplex ( Cut Flower Producers' Association)

9
CaFAN Secretariat
Interns
The CaFAN Secretariat has once again collaborated
with the Coady International Institute, St. Francis Xavier
University in Canada and signed an agreement to host
two new Canadian Interns as part of Coady's Youth in
Partnership Programme.
The Coady International Institute’s Youth in Partnership
program gives Canadian university graduates
experience working with development organizations in
their field of study. The program helps them increase
their understanding of global development issues while
contributing to the Coady Institute’s overseas
partnerships. The program is also aimed at providing
experience that will improve participants' employment
opportunities when they return from their internship.
About the Interns
Richard Kirkham grew up near Toronto, Ontario. He
graduated with a Masters in Political Science from
Wilfred Laurier University where he focused on human
rights theory and practice. Richard expects to take full
advantage of his time at CaFAN by learning what it takes
to build and maintain a volunteer-run organization. He
hopes to make a meaningful contribution toward CaFAN
by actively listening to what farmers want, and then
helping to facilitate wherever possible through
comprehensive policy development.
hosts Canadian
The internship programme currently lasts a total of six
months and is funded by the Government of Canada
through the Canadian International Development Agency
(CIDA).
On March 28th, 2010, Richard Kirkham and Marcia
McCune arrived in St. Vincent and the Grenadines,
accompanied by two other interns for placement in the
Grenadines. Kirkham will work directly with CaFAN as
an Information Communications Officer while McCune
will work directly with ECTAD as Marketing and
Research Officer.
ECTAD/CaFAN first signed its first contract with Coady
and hosted two Canadian Interns (Paula Hearn and
Laird Herbert) for the period July 2008 to January 2009.
Marcia McCune is from Calgary, Alberta. She graduated
from the University of Calgary in 2006 with a Bachelor of
Commerce. She then worked for three years in the oil
and gas sector as a contracts analyst before completing
a Master’s degree in International Development from the
University of Bath in 2009. Through her internship with
ECTAD, she is hoping to learn more about agriculture in
the Caribbean and to gain practical experience in the
field of international development.
JAS moves to empower farmers through
Marketing
Crops targeted

The Jamaica Agricultural Society Commercial Enterprises Limited (JASCEL) is a - Tomato

subsidiary of the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS) and has been established to - Cucumber
implement the proposed Central Marketing System (CMS) and other commercial projects - Pumpkin
on behalf of the Jamaican farming community. - Carrot
- Yellow yam
The main purpose of the CMS is to promote the development of domestic Agriculture and - Plantain
the welfare of farmers by providing an effective system of marketing agricultural produce. - Cabbage
- Dasheen
The JAS initiative in the development of a Central Marketing System is being actively - Peas
supported financially and in terms of services, by the Government of Jamaica, as part of a - Sweet Pepper
strategy of partnership between Government, Private Sector and Non-State sector in the - Sweet
development of Agriculture. In keeping with this, the Government of Jamaica has already Potatoes
made $ 5 million available to JASCEL, to facilitate start-up operations. - Pimento
- Lettuce
The Operations of the CMS will revolve around: - Bananas
- Purchasing (On contract, with farm gate Pick-up service) - Ginger
- Sorting, Grading, Cleaning, Packing, Storage
- Processing (e.g. Tomato ketchup, tomato juice, mango juice)
- Distribution (On contract and spot to buyers)

TARGETED AREAS

Hague

Montpelier

Sav La Mar
Richmond

Morgans Pass

Christiana

Gordon Town

Bull
Savannah
Denbigh

11
CARDI Launches CFC Project
Project Launch-Roots, Tubers, Herbs and Vegetables for Caribbean
ver fifty (50) stakeholders from Ministries of
Agriculture, Farmers and Producer Associations,
input suppliers and other groups from across the
Caribbean, participated in discussions associated with
the implementation of two Caribbean Regional projects
funded jointly by the Common Fund for Commodities
(CFC) and the European Union (EU). The Hon. Minister
of Agriculture, Lands, and Marine Resources of Trinidad
& Tobago, Senator Arnold Piggott, made a brief
appearance at the Opening Ceremony for a Technical
and Project Administration Sessions, for the CFC/CARDI
Projects, on 4th March 2010, on his way to a previously
scheduled Cabinet Meeting; Ms Patricia Hypolite,
Permanent Secretary delivered the Keynote Address on
his behalf. Ambassador Ali Mchumo, the CFC Project
Managing Director, Ms Kathrine Renner, EU Programme
Officer, and Dr Arlington Chesney Executive Director,
CARDI also addressed the meeting, which was held
over the period 4-5 March 2010, at the Hyatt Regency,
Trinidad & Tobago.
CARDI is the implementation agency for two projects
designed to increase the production of vegetables and
herbs using protected agriculture and increasing
production of roots and tubers through the introduction of
improved marketing and production technologies. Other
collaborating agencies which will support implementation
of the project include the Food and Agriculture
Organization (FAO), the Inter-American Institute for
Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), the Ministries of
Agriculture and private sector associations within the
agricultural sector of the six participating countries.
This meeting was aimed at among other things,
obtaining consensus about the key participating
stakeholders, and agreeing on the structure and terms of
reference of the National Committees to oversee the
project activity at the national level of the identified
countries. Presentations on the roles of the various
institutions were made by Mr. Caleb Dengu, First Project
Manager of CFC, and Ms Marion Alleyne, Local FAO
Representative. Dr Janet Lawrence, Thematic Leader,
Emerging Issues, and Ms Pathleen Titus, Commodity
Leader Roots and Tubers, both of CARDI, presented a
general overview and a detailed description of the
respective projects and related activities.
The project titled Increased Production of Vegetables
and Herbs through the use of Protected Agriculture will
strengthen the competitiveness of farmers engaged in
the production of fresh vegetables and herbs, through
the use of appropriate technologies under protected
agriculture systems. Through ongoing research into the
best designs, layout and production techniques, CARDI
will provide technical expertise to identify suitable
models of Protected Agriculture Units, which would also
be available to support the transfer of appropriate
production technology.
A second project entitled Increased Production of Roots
and Tubers through the introduction of improved
marketing and production technologies will increase
knowledge and skills among producers via training and
dissemination of production, post harvest, processing
and marketing techniques. It is also expected that there
will be more production and consumption of a root crops
and products in the pilot areas. At the end of this period
it is anticipated that there will be an increase in local,
regional and niche market trade in selected vegetables
and herbs, along with value added products made from
sweet potato, cassava and yam.
Grant funding for both projects has been provided to the
tune of US$ 6.2 million dollars by the Common Fund for
Commodities and the European Union, and includes
contributions from the collaborative agencies noted
above. CARDI will work closely with the collaborators at
regional and national level to develop detailed action
plans to facilitate implementation of the projects.
Source: www.cardi.org
Oxfam’s approach:
Linking small farmers to
the local tourism market
Oxfam GB has begun a feasibility study on the viability
of a “Social Intermediary in Jamaica,” in order to link
small farmers to local tourism markets (known as the
JAMAI).
The social intermediary (JAMAI) would be a new
business entity in the agricultural service sector based
on the existing agricultural intermediary model but with
some key modifications so that the intermediary will work
for the benefit of smallholder farmers to generate a
double benefit to these farmers (through its service
provided and returns on shares held). The JAMAI will
deliver two kinds of value to upstream and downstream
partners;
(a) Business value represented by a consistent flow
of high quality products produced under
conditions defined by buyers and in a timely
fashion; and,
(b) Social value represented by the sustainable
insertion of small scale famers into demanding
markets in a way that increases their
opportunities to achieve better livelihoods.
Some of the innovative features of this social
intermediary would include:
• A profit-making limited liability company whose
shareholders will include smallholder farmers
(and a defined number of women farmers),
farmer organizations and demand side
organizations involved in the set-up and
management of the business
• Linked into a network of similar business and
support organizations across the world
supporting continuous development and
innovation
• A strong relationship marketing approach
forming close and intimate connections with both
suppliers and markets
• A Board of Directors made up of key
stakeholders and a defined number of women
• A minimal and efficient team of employees
• Financed by its own shareholders and local
credit sources
The purpose of the study is to assess the business
opportunities for the establishment of a social
intermediary in the agricultural services sector of
13
Jamaica. The core business offer of this enterprise will
be a dual service, for farmers it will offer a stable market
along with key support/inputs to meet exacting standards
in a profitable fashion. For buyers we offer a consistent
supply of high quality products, to their specifications
and meet existing food safety standards. These services
will be offered with the purpose of generating a profitable
and sustainable business linkage with the local hotel and
supermarket sectors.
The consultant will be contracted and will work in close
coordination with the Oxfam GB Partnership Broker
based in Jamaica. The Partnership Broker together with
the Regional Livelihoods Lead and the Regional
Business Advisor will also form a part of the Oxfam GB
team to coordinate this research and the consultant is
required to establish communications with them.
Together with the consultant they will be members of the
steering committee in charge of the consultancy
monitoring and follow up. Other Oxfam staff and
Partners will support the consultant where needed.
Source: TOR for feasibility Study
Promoting Regional
Food Security
The second meeting of the Steering Committee of the
Italy-funded “PROMOTING CARICOM/ CARIFORUM
Food Security” – Phase ii was held in St. Georges,
Grenada from 25 – 26 March 2010.
The second meeting of the Project Steering
Committee (PSC), under the second phase was held
after the first meeting of the Technical Policy Working
Group for the Formulation of the Logical Framework
Matrix of the Regional Policy for Food and Nutrition
Security for the Caribbean that took place from 23 and
24 March 2010 in Grenada.
The key objectives of the meeting were:
a) Review the status of Project implementation
and the execution of the 2009 Work Plan and
Budget,
a) Review and agree upon the 2010 Work Plan
and Budget;
b) Discuss implementation details for the
forthcoming mid-term project review.
c) Review project links to other food security
policy and value chain activities in the region
and discuss
Both meetings were represented by Mr. Jethro Greene
on behalf of CaFAN.
ECTAD sets up farmers
counterparts
n February 23th and April 21st, 2010 ECTAD
directors, selected farmers and volunteers met
and held discussions at the ECTAD central office
regarding the coordination of ECTAD marketing
programme. The meetings which were chaired by Jethro
Greene highlighted the importance of a marketing
system run and operated by farmers which would be set
in place for ECTAD farmers to benefit.
According to Mr. Greene, support will be provided by
FAO under the EU AAACP for a second Letter of
Agreement (LoA) to strengthen ECTAD’s capacity to
support the production and marketing of roots and
tubers.
He explained that through CaFAN, FAO under the EU
AAACP has been providing capacity building support to
selected CaFAN members through a series of LOAs.
These organisations like ECTAD are currently engaged
in production and marketing of roots and tubers.
Mr. Greene further noted that for effective support and
monitoring of the production of root crops to take place,
support will be provided for six farmers’ counterparts
who will work directly with the farmers on their farms and
who would report directly to the ECTAD central office.
Following discussions of the locations for the farmers’
counterparts, six key zones for identified. There will be
two farmers’ counterparts coordinating two zones on the
leeward side of the island, while four farmers’
counterparts will coordinate four different zones on the
windward side of the islands.
The farmers present were very happy with the idea of
the farmers’ counterparts since extension support was
identified as critical for farm management and record
keeping.
Other matters discussed during the meeting included an
update on the sweet potato pilot project and a list of
crops that will be targeted as part of CaFAN’s regional
marketing.
A follow-up meeting is scheduled for the end of May
2010 where the farmers’ counterparts will be identified.
ECTAD Director Billidorn Haywood and ECTAD Vice-
Chairman James Clarke during one of the discussions
ECTAD to participate
in CTA’s conference
In 2008, at the request of its local and national partners,
the Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural
Cooperation (CTA) has initiated the development of an
electronic platform. The objectives of this platform are
as follows:
• Strengthen the networking among CTA partners
to promote the exchange of experience
• Make operational a mechanism of capitalization
of CTA partners’ products and services.
Partners’ information products have in the
meantime been digitized to be posted shortly
• Improve the visibility of partners’ activities and
CTA support.
Presently, the developments of the platform are
completed and the site is now online at the following
address: http://partners.cta.int (under a Sharepoint
environment).
The current phase of the project involves the posting of
content and facilitation of the platform. For this to be
done, it is however necessary to train the officers in
charge of the administration and management of the
partners’ respective Website on the use of this platform.
A training workshop is therefore planned to be organized
from 03 to 06 May 2010 at the Institute for Scientific and
Technological Information (INSTI) in Accra, GHANA.
Miss Nyasha Durrant, Administrative officer of ECTAD
has been selected to represent ECTAD at the training
workshop.
CaFAN Stakeholders Directory and
Database Form
The CaFAN Stakeholders Directory and Database are comprised of farmer organisations and agricultural institutions
(national and regional) within the Caribbean region. It also includes a listing of technical expertise that is available to
the CaFAN Secretariat.

For persons or organizations (preferably agricultural) who wish to be included in the Directory, please complete the
below information and fax or email to the CaFAN Secretariat. The Stakeholders Directory is updated every two years
through the financial support of our partners and copies of the produced editions can be found on the CaFAN
Website.

For more information, please contact the CaFAN Secretariat.

Name of Organisation ………………………………………………………………………………………………

Name of Key contact person ………………………………………………………………………………………

Position of key contact person ……………………………………………………………………………………

Type of Organisation ………………………………………………………………………………………………

No. of members ……………………………………………………………………………………………………

Country ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Physical Address ……………………………………………………………………………………………………

Mailing Address ……………………………………………………………………………………………………

Telephone Number …………………………………………………………………………………………………

Fax Number …………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Email Address ………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Website ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Areas of Activity …………………………………………………………………………………..…………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Areas of Technical Expertise ………………………………………………………………………………………

THANK YOU!

15
 About CaFAN
The Caribbean Farmers Network Inc.
(CaFAN) is a legally registered non-
profit, non-governmental regional
umbrella of farmer organisations.
CaFAN was formed and initiated by
farmer organisations across the
Caribbean in 2002.

CaFAN’s mission is to enhance

Caribbean food and nutrition security,
foreign exchange earnings and
foreign savings by repositioning
agriculture through the capacity
building of farmers and the
institutional strengthening of farmer
organisations.

Since its inception in 2002, CaFAN is

mandated to speak on behalf of its
membership and to develop
programmes and projects aimed at
improving livelihoods. CaFAN also
focuses on market led sustainable
mechanisms and structures, working
in collaboration with all stakeholders
in the agriculture sector to the
strategic advantage of its farmers.

CaFAN member farmers

organisations are directly involved in Caribbean Farmers Network
production and marketing for the C/o Eastern Caribbean Trading Agriculture
domestic, regional and extra regional and Development Organization (ECTAD)
markets.
Beachmont, P.O. Box 827, Kingstown
CaFAN member countries are
St. Vincent and the Grenadines
Antigua & Barbuda, Bahamas,
Barbados, Belize, Dominica, cafancaribbean@gmail.com or ectadsvg@yahoo.com
Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, St. Kitts/ www.caribbeanfarmers.org
Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent & the Tel: (784) 453-1004 Fax: (784) 453-1239
Grenadines, Suriname and Trinidad
& Tobago, with Haiti and Dominican
Republic pending review.

In 2006, the Eastern Caribbean

Trading Agriculture and Development
Organisation (ECTAD) based in St.
Vincent and the Grenadines became This document has been produced with the financial assistance of the Technical
the Secretariat and is responsible for Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation (CTA-ACP-EU)
the implementation and coordination
of CaFAN programmes and activities. However, the views expressed herein can in no way be taken to reflect the
official opinion of CTA