Support the MAMR's/BAIC technical capacity in good production practices for greenhouses and for commercial production supporting the organization of the value chain for each commodity
IICA will implement its technical cooperation actions within the framework of the Medium Term Plan 2010-2014. This will be done in collaboration with the public sector partners. IICA has facilitated the access of regional specialists for advice and as resource persons for capacity building, and introduction of technologies. Technical support from the Bahamas office will aim at contributing to the major activities that the MAMR will undertake from the five-year plan. In addition, IICA will contribute to the schools’ agriculture programs and provided support to young entrepreneurs, women’s arts and crafts businesses and dissemination of information from the library. The objectives of the technical cooperation agenda have been rolled-out into one project profile, consisting of five activities.
The problem
The strategic capabilities and varied technical capacities that the public sector and BAIC need to meet the new clustering and marketing demands disseminate technology to producers requires strengthening. Significant gaps exist along the value chain, particularly in the use of productivity driven technology (improved varieties, production practice, post-harvest handling). Institutional capacity for responsive outreach is also weak. Many farmers have voiced concern about the extended period in waiting for technical support, inputs and services. This has hindered producers from building the necessary capacity to meet the local demand.
General objective
To enhance productivity through the strengthening of public and private capacities to access new technology and provide improved services to producers for increasing their production and competitiveness.
Specific objectives
1. To strengthen institutional capacity to provide support to producer groups through regional & horizontal technical cooperation to share successful lessons/technology, improve risk management and best practices.
2. To increase knowledge about market information and risk management of the agriculture sector.
3. To enhance the skills of technical & extension personnel for effective delivery of production and greenhouse technologies and services to producers for improved competitiveness.
Beneficiaries
Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Resources/Bahamas Agricultural Industrial Corporation, Producer associations, Agricultural and Fisheries Cooperatives, agro-processors and, private sector distributors.
Duration
2011 – 2014
Description of activities, outputs, results, and achievement indicators
Activities:
1. National consultation and output data review to develop an agriculture strategic plan.
2. To Develop a strategy for the implementation of recommendations of the market information specialist to the Bahamas and to train in gathering market information /risk management, value chain and market platform development.
3. Conduct a diagnostic assessment of greenhouse facilities and capacity building on greenhouse management.
4. Support Family Island school garden programs to produce nutritious vegetables for year round consumption & strengthen instruction on food security.
5. Provide assistance on group strengthening to producer associations to develop capacity for improved production/productivity in root crops and small ruminants.
6. Provide support to some of the AHFS Program initiatives.
Outputs:
1.1.A draft strategic plan developed through stakeholder participatory by end 2011.
2.1. List of trainings and sampling sites for data collection and processing established in the Bahamas by end 2011.
3.1. List of technical, managerial and operational assistance required by greenhouse cluster of owners by end 2011.
4.1. Gardens increase in diversity of crops & serve as model training facility conforming to CXC standard of school gardens.
5.1. Document the assessment of small ruminant production practices and record performance of local breeds.
5.2. Develop the value-chain for sweetpotato targeted for import substitution and food security.
6.1. Deliver training on SPS and Codex Regulations using video conferencing.
Expected results:
1.1.The Bahamas Agricultural Industrial Corporation has a draft agriculture sector srategic plan to improve support to producers and Family Island agriculture development.
2.1. Agriculture sector stakeholders are knowledgeable and make use of market platform & information.
3.1. Greenhouse association have increased their capacity and understanding of protected agriculture and how to increase output and incomes from improved management.
4.1. Increased knowledge of students about diverse crops/livestock, food security and improved nutrition & agricultural practices.
5.1. Members of the associations and extension service have increased their knowledge of herd management and, producers adopt improved feeding practice.
5.2. Sweet potato producers increase production and adopt good agricultural practices.
6.1. Producers improve knowledge of agricultural health regulations for export.
Achievement indicators:
1.1. Twenty-five % staff members engaged and trained in development of a strategic plan.
1.2. Draft agriculture strategic plan endorsed by stakeholders and ready for review by BAIC Board and parliament.
1.3. One activity report available.
2.1. List of data collection strategy & sites for public information available.
2.2. Report of market information distributed bi-weekly.
2.3. One activity report on market platform development available.
3.1. Technical visit to at least three greenhouse and model facilities by end 2011.
3.2. At least four workshops (30 participants) conducted on good management by end of 2012.
3.3. One report of technical, managerial and operational assistance required, endorsed by greenhouse cluster by 2012.
3.4. Project proposal developed for external funding by end 2012.
4.1. Report of activity available.
4.2. All schools that offer agriculture science participating in national program from 4 Family Islands by 2014.
4.3. At least two schools participate in national Ag Expo every other year in New Providence.
5.1. One report of technical, managerial and operational assistance endorsed by MAMR/BAIC/ and producers.
5.2. Project proposal developed for investment funding by end 2011.
6.1. Producers compliant with standards for export by 2012.