The Bahamas Development Bank (BDB) in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Resources, and the Caribbean Agriculture Research Development Institute (CARDI), launched the Small Ruminant Revitalization Program (SRRP) on Tuesday, March 3rd with a three day workshop at the NGM Major High School in Deadman’s Cay Long Island.
The program aims to re-invigorate small ruminant (sheep and goat) and pigs stocks in the Bahamas by offering a combination of training and financing to new and existing farmers, starting with Long Island. In addition to providing fresh meat to Bahamians, The SRRP program’s objectives for the next five years include improving foreign exchange through import substitution of small ruminants and pigs by 2.5%. It proposes to expand Family Island economies by 1% annually by establishing at 5 small ruminant and pig farming enterprises that support at least 10 new jobs on each island. It is anticipated that the program will offer youth on Family Islands an opportunity for employment in their own communities, in addition to generating employment, dispersing wealth via new businesses, and making a marginal step toward food security.
The program has four interconnected components that address the structural and market challenges faced by small ruminant farmers. The first, “Education and Training” provides interested persons with an overview of the industry, program design and business management. The introductory workshop was hosted by BDB, CARDI and the Department of Agriculture this week on Long Island. CARDI and Department of Agriculture certified trainers will provide ongoing technical training, support and supervision for the first five years of the program. The second component, i.e. “Establishing Program Participants and their Roles” ensures that that all areas of the value chain are supported through close collaboration between farmers, government inspectors, slaughterhouse/harvesting inspectors, truckers, shippers, and agriculture marketers and brokers. “Government Support”, the third component is vital for SRRP success. This role includes policy setting and strengthening institutions along with operational support. The Bahamas Development Bank provides the fourth component, “Access to Funding” through affordable loans once program candidates successfully complete the training and education program as well as the initial plan submission and borrowing evaluation. The funding is intended to enable those farmers and companies to secure resources and partnerships sufficient to start their businesses using the SRFP model.
The SRRP was developed as part of the Bahamas Development Bank’s Sectoral Development Approach which supports emerging industries as a whole by directing training, financing, and policy support to groups of entrepreneurs in areas of national interest and the Sustainable Development Goals.
Dave Smith, Bahamas Development Bank Managing Director speaks at the Opening Ceremony for the SRRP Workshop.
Troy Sampson, Business Development Manager at the Bahamas Development Bank moderated the opening ceremony of the SRRP.
Taynia Farquharson, President of the Long Island Farmers Association provided remarks at the SRRP Workshop opening.
Figure 4 Ian Knowles, Chief Counsellor provides remarks at the opening ceremony for the SRRP.
The delegation from the Bahamas Development included from Left to Right, Ava Strachan-Project Officer and Green Economy Lead; Stefanie Edgecombe- SRRP Project Lead; Dave Smith- Managing Director.
Dr. Michele Singh, Animal Scientist and CARDI Country Representative to the Bahamas presents to program participants.
Stefanie Edgecombe SRRP Project Lead presents Battery Cage Raffle Winner with her prize. Part of the training included the construction of four battery cages. One as part of the demonstration by Dr. Michele Singh and the other by three groups of participants. At the end of the night, the four cages were raffled off to program participants.
Stefanie Edgecombe SRRP Project Lead presents Mr Carol Battery Cage Raffle Winner with his prize.
