Institutional Strengthening and Support to Organizations (including Producer groups and SMEs) in the Agri-Food Sector
Predominant Lines of Action of the 2010-2014 MTP
Agriculture and Food Security:
Line 2, Institutional framework and services to support market access for small scale producers
Level: Country
National
The problem
The lack of adequate capacity and appropriate systems in both public and private sector institutions and organizations and the disorganized nature of agriculture producers are considered to be key constraints to growth in the agricultural sector in Trinidad and Tobago. This project seeks to address these constraints by providing for a focus on institutional strengthening and support to groups involving SMEs in particular.
General objective
To provide assistance in the strengthening of institutions and organizations operating along the value chain with emphasis on commodity and producer organizations involving SMEs.
Specific objectives
1. To strengthen the capacity of institutions and stakeholders in the agri-food sector to effectively organize themselves and build sustainable, well structured and efficiently managed organizations and associations;
2. To support commodity and producer based organizations and similar groups in the preparation of programmes, plans, projects and proposals and in mobilizing resources and technical cooperation;
3. To assist commodity organizations in promotion of products and services as well as in networking with other organizations.
Beneficiaries
Agricultural Society of Trinidad and Tobago (ASTT), Network of Rural Women Producers of Trinidad and Tobago (NRWP), Trinidad and Tobago Goat and Sheep Society, CAPRICO Cooperative, The Ministry of Food Production, Land and Marine Affairs and other State Agencies involved in agricultural development.
Duration
4 years (2011 – 2014)
Description of activities, outputs, results, and achievement indicators
Specific objective 1
To strengthen the capacity of institutions and stakeholders in the agri-food sector to effectively organize themselves and build sustainable, well structured and efficiently managed organizations and associations;
Activity
Conduct training programmes in areas relating to group dynamics, organization development, management, leadership.
Outputs
1. Courses on group dynamics, organization development,
2. Training materials, including manuals
3. Documents containing results of application of training methodologies
Expected results
Enhanced capacity within institutions and organizations for developing and managing sustainable and effective organizations
Achievement indicators
At least two (2) training programmes and 20 persons trained annually and 2 training manuals developed
Specific objective 2
2. To support commodity and producer based organizations and similar groups in the preparation of programmes, plans, projects and proposals and in mobilizing resources and technical cooperation;
Activity
Provide assistance in preparation of programmes, plans, projects and in mobilizing resources and technical cooperation
Outputs
1. Programmes, projects, plans,
2. Commitments from donor agencies to support projects
3. Technical assistance secured from specialized agencies
Expected results
Increased technical and financial support delivered to producer and commodity organizations
Achievement indicators
At least two groups receive technical assistance annually in preparation of projects and programmes and or in mobilizing technical cooperation
Specific objective 3
3. To assist commodity organizations in promotion of products and services as well as in networking with other organizations.
Activity
Assist organizations in promotion, planning, organizing and participating in events
Outputs
1. Special agriculture and food security events
2. Public Information and displays of products, services etc
3. Guidelines for planning and organizing events etc.
Expected results
Improvements in the delivery of marketing, products, services and level of networking of participating organizations.
Achievement indicators
At least two organizations receive support in organizing and participating in major events annually
Comment: The project and its activities are linked to three instruments of technical cooperation, namely “Mobilization of Cooperation”, “Training in subjects related to IICA’s areas of competence” and “Direct Technical Cooperation” as these are applied to institutional strengthening and providing support to organizations in Trinidad and Tobago. The project will be executed in close collaboration with the ASTT and other commodity and producer organizations and with the active involvement of other development partners and the MFPLMA and the THA. This project will be organically linked to the other projects identified for implementation under the IICA country Strategy for Trinidad and Tobago.