Cassava farmer creating job opportunities.
RANKED AS the fifth-best country in the world to start a business, according to the latest Global Banking and Finance Review, entrepreneurs in Jamaica are raring to turn their passion into profit. Among this group of leaders is 33-year-old farmer Mark Williams, co-owner of Great Oak Farms Limited.
Raised on a farm in Old Harbour, St Catherine, Williams always had a knack for farming. During his teenage years, his interest grew when he started planting callaloo for his family. This experience ignited his passion for agricultural business.
“When I used to see my family purchasing callaloo from street vendors, I started thinking that I could earn a living from farming. Now, with the ageing population and more people living longer, there is a high demand for food. I farm because I want to supply that need and make a meaningful contribution,” offered Williams.
FINANCING THE PROJECT
As with any entrepreneurial journey, securing financing is a difficult feat. After failed attempts to obtain a loan from several financial institutions, Williams achieved success with Jamaica National Small Business Loan (JNSBL), thanks to a partnership with brewing giant Red Stripe. The partnership offers specialised loans for farmers in the beer company’s Project Grow programme. Williams secured the Agriculture Loan Special, which allowed him to borrow up to J$15 million at a rate of 9.5 per cent. This package offers the possibility of up to 80 per cent loan guarantee at a fee of one to two per cent, plus GCT, per year for the principal amount outstanding each year.
“JNSBL is committed to national development and social enrichment. By supporting Red Stripe’s Project Grow initiative, we are able to give farmers the help they need to fulfil their agricultural dreams,” said Gillian Hyde, JNSBL’s general manager.
The loan has allowed Williams and his four business partners to establish their agribusiness in St Catherine and Clarendon. They planted their first cassava crop on 30 acres of land earlier this year and expect to benefit from the harvest in three months. Williams shared, “This has given us the start we needed to achieve our goal of scaling up to 73 acres of land dedicated to cassava, and then to 100 acres. We can better serve the community by providing greater employment opportunities. We are located in a sugar belt, and many persons have lost their primary source of income due to changes in the sugar industry. So, they celebrate our project as they see it as a job opportunity.”
JNSBL also offers Project Grow farmers the Climate Smart Loan, where they can access up to J$5 million. The loan can be repaid up to 48 months after acquisition at an interest rate of four per cent. Through this loan, farmers can equip themselves with irrigation tools and climateresisting fertiliser to facilitate farming of more wholesome cassavas.
KNOWLEDGE-SHARING FORUM
In exploring opportunities for the tuber, Red Stripe brought together leaders in agriculture and manufacturing at a knowledge sharing forum on November 21 at Mona Visitors’ Lodge. The event was focused on linkages between manufacturing and agriculture and ways in which key players can contribute to the cassava value chain.
Dr Cavell Francis-Rhiney, Red Stripe’s total productivity manager, said, “Red Stripe has successfully demonstrated how to create a viable value chain using local raw materials. Through collaboration among industry stakeholders and the development of innovative methods to produce highquality products, we can further contribute to a cassava value chain that is lucrative and sustainable. With combined efforts, cassava can be a bigger object of opportunity for national development.”
Through Project Grow, Williams has received training in cassava production to ensure best practice and high quality. He hopes to impart this knowledge to his team of farmers as he expands his business. Williams noted, “Thanks to Project Grow and the loan I acquired through JNSBL, I am closer to realising my dream of being a nation builder and meaningfully contributing to my community.”