A LOVE AFFAIR FOR ZSIFKOVICS
Passion drives JHTA top purveyor for 2018
IT HAS been said that, “The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather a lack of passion,” and it was Martin Zsifkovics’ passion that determined his destiny.
Zsifkovics recently landed the industry accolade of Top Purveyor –Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA) 2018.
“We are now 10 years in business and we won the purveyor most likely because the hotels are happy with what we are doing so, therefore, they probably voted for us.” Farming was never at the top of Zsifkovics’ list, as he initially dreamt of becoming a hotel general manager. As such, he has worked in various departments in several hotels. He has also worked with the army, as well as being a chef at a two-star restaurant; but his fulfilment came when he took up farming. For many, farming is classified as dirty work, but not for the AustrianJamaican, who calls Jamaica home. In 2008, he started Austrojam Limited, on a modest plot of land in Treasure Beach, St Elizabeth, where he farms and distributes highquality fresh produce to the hotel and grocery industries nationwide. This was out of the need to offer consistent quality produce and supplies, as he didn’t see the sector being regularly supplied when he worked there.
“If those folks were not performing that great, maybe I could do it, but way better, so I started to buy the produce, things like watermelon and other items and started supplying little by little; but then I realise there was the same problem, then I started to do farming.”
Zsifkovics explains that the winning formula to remain consistent with supplies is year-long planting with rotating plots. “We also have a refrigerated warehouse, which enables us to respond to variations in orders from a few hotels, apart from our regulars.”
The Terra Nova All-Suite Hotel and Couples Resorts were the first two hotels Austrojam started supplying with produce, and today they maintain a great business relationship.
Kenard Swaby, Terra Nova’s executive chef, who has worked with the two-time national champion for nearly 10 years, spoke of a level of professionalism and dedication to quality service, which, he says, keeps their business relationship growing.
Chef Swaby also singled out Zsifkovics’ work ethic and integrity as a deal-maker in sustaining the relationship. “Whenever there are natural variations due to weather or other growing conditions, either Martin points it out to us first, or if we raise any concerns, he accepts full responsibility.This has built mutual trust.”
It is Zsifkovics’ consistency that impressed Couples Resorts’ Lee Issa, who lauded him as one of the most passionate farmers he has ever met. “That passion converts into premium quality and reliability. He always delivers the very best and on time. We at Couples feel very blessed to have him as a regular source in our supply chain,” stated Issa.
MORE THAN MONEY
Zsifkovics remains motivated about what he does and believes that it’s more than just the money, as love should always be at the fore of what you do.
“We always say one thing which is very important if you’re going into farming, you have to understand that it’s not primarily about the money, it’s that you have to have a passion, motivated by quality. Money will follow the quality.”
He grew to love farming, even in the tough times. “At first, I didn’t know the beauty about it, but I really fell in love with farming and the whole surrounding, and that struck me.”
Perseverance has caused him to soldier on in this career, which has led him to winning other awards and accolades. He received a Youth Award for Agriculture in 2016 from the Inter-American Institute of Agriculture and now holds Jamaica’s 2017 and 2018 National Champion Farmer title.
Zsifkovics is also a top contender in bringing about change and eyes three priority areas that could revolutionise the agriculture industry; mainstreaming agriculture to make it more attractive to include the youth, tackling praedial larceny on all levels, and greater access to financial assistance.
“The most important thing is that everybody needs to understand that the linkages council, which lobbies for the hoteliers, supermarkets as well as for the farmers, has to be a mutually beneficial partnership. It cannot be a one-way stream.”
Chef Swaby agrees wholeheartedly with this view, indicating that there is room for many more Zsifkovics as reliable purveyors to the hospitality sector. “With Martin, his passion opened the door, his persistence produced significant personal and professional growth over the past decade.”