Strengthening the Caribbean agri-food private sector Investment in Agricultural Research Development and Innovation to increase Business Performance and Competitiveness

Common Fund for Commodities (CFC) The Common Fund for Commodities is an intergovernmental financial institution established by the United Nations under an agreement negotiated by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development in 1989.

Common Fund for Commodities (CFC) It plays a catalytic role in poverty alleviation through commodity- focused development. It assists commodity producing developing countries, and countries with economies in transition, to meet the challenges of the global liberalised world economy and to participate in new opportunities. The mechanism for facilitating this process includes: Organisational (SMEs, commodity/thematic groups) Strengthening, Capacity Building, Technology Transfer and Effective Information Management Systems.

CARDI’s Approach to the Strengthening of the Agrifood Sector The formulation/implementation of short/medium term initiatives as a strategic fore-runner to the attainment of the long term goals that are essential to the sustainability of the sector. Collaboration with regional stakeholders to consolidate/make durable regional demand for inputs, products (primary & processed) & services, and improve overall production & marketing systems. The entire CARDI portfolio is driven by Strategic Axis 1, which expresses the core functional elements of CARDI’s mandate and is directly linked to food production.

CARDI’S Principal Short Term Initiative Satisficing local/regional demand for agri-food products & services. Some say the focus on export markets has compromised initiatives for the promotion/development of regional markets.

Long Term Initiative Accessing/Developing International/Global Markets through: Increased production & productivity. Improved product quality/control standards. Sustainable supply systems. Increased overall competitiveness with global markets.

Targeted Interventions The focus of the CFC funded initiatives within the Caribbean has been within the Short-Medium Term in which the core interventions target inter alia: Increased Food Production and Productivity Increased Competitiveness Import Substitution Organisational Strengthening and Capacity Building Information Sharing Technology Transfer Value Chain Analysis to facilitate/guide industry development strategy

Current CFC Funded Regional Projects Protected Agriculture Roots and Tuber Small Ruminants

CFC/CARDI Projects Increased Production of Vegetables and Herbs through the use of Protected Agriculture in the Caribbean. Increased Production of Root and Tuber Crops in the Caribbean through the Introduction of Improved Marketing and Production Technologies. Diversification of the Caribbean Livestock Sector through the Production of Small Ruminants.

CFC/CARDI: Protected Agriculture (PA) Location: Haiti, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago Duration: 3 Years (36 Months) CFC Financing: USD 2,010,023 Total Budget: USD 2,814, 638 Project Executing Agency: CARDI Start Date: 2010

Project Goal To Strengthen the Competitiveness of Vegetable Farmers in the Caribbean engaged in the Production and later the Export of Fresh Vegetables and Herbs through the use of Protected Agriculture.

Objectives To develop and demonstrate appropriate PA models for improving the production, productivity, seasonal availability and marketing of selected vegetables and herbs. To improve through demonstration, training and transfer of technologies the knowledge, skills and competitiveness of PA producers of selected vegetables and herbs. To determine & satisfy the market profile for selected PA produced vegetables and herbs.

Objectives To strengthen and/or expand PA producer groups and value chain clusters. To improve the capacity of trainers and other stakeholders in PA. To improve access to information for stakeholders with respect to PA.

CFC/CARDI: Roots and Tubers (R&T) Location: Haiti (LDC), Jamaica, Trinidad/Tobago, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Dominica & Barbados Duration: 3 Years (36 months) CFC Financing: USD 2,090, Total Budget: USD 3,392,805 Project Executing Agency: CARDI Start Date: 2010

Project Goal To support the Development of a Commercially Viable and Sustainable Regional Root and Tuber Crop Industry in CARICOM countries that facilitates the Improvement of Livelihoods and Overall Food Security and Sovereignty.

Objectives To increase the demand for fresh and value added products of the selected root and tuber crops in the local and regional market. To strengthen existing production groups and the formation of clusters that will improve the activities along the commodity value chain. To improve the knowledge and skill of actors along the value chain through training in and dissemination of production, post harvest, processing and marketing techniques.

Objectives To produce and distribute high quality planting materials of cassava, sweet potato and yam through the establishment of appropriate propagation facilities. To demonstrate and as necessary, validate technological innovations in root and tuber crop production and use.

CFC/CARDI: Small Ruminants Location: Jamaica and Trinidad & Tobago Duration: 4 Years (48 Months) CFC Financing: USD 1,428,750 Total Budget: US$ 4,031,000 Project Executing Agency: CARDI Estimated Starting Date: January 2011

Project Goal To contribute to the Attainment of Self-Sufficiency in Regional Meat Consumption initially through the Development of the Small Ruminant Industry in Jamaica and Trinidad & Tobago.

Objectives To increase the availability of quality breeding stock at affordable prices. To transfer/disseminate technology in the use of improved feeds & feeding systems. To increase production of small ruminant meat and ancillary products by promoting efficient management techniques information that would improve animal productivity. To promote/disseminate efficient marketing and processing systems for meat and by products. To promote the sustainability of the industry as a whole through the strengthening of existing producer groups and industry cluster formation.

Sustainability CARDI (as PEA) promotes the use of a Revolving Fund with additionally opportunities for financial support to the fund by Government institutions and producer associations. To establish a CARICOM Investment Enabling Mechanism (CIEM).

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