In 2010, Ayodele Sampson, a 32 year old single-parent and mother of two, returned to her homeland of Guyana with the intention of becoming a successful farmer. She had been living abroad, working in the insurance business and had observed Antiguan farmers enjoying a successful livelihood. Ayodele had the advantage of access to a 37 acre family farm on Trollie Island (Region 3 on the Essequibo River, West Demerara), which had been idle for 16 years. Upon her return, she shared her vision with the family, friends and the community and quickly learnt that the main crop grown in the region and the one in highest demand was plantains. “I traded in my sophisticated working attire and image for long boots and farming tools, this was not an environment that I was not accustomed to”. Without experience and despite the doubts of some of her family, Ayodele began farming plantains, cultivating 3 acres in her first year.

“It was challenging understanding the agronomy of the plantain crop and the marketing of the produce, as a newcomer and a woman, the middlemen often took advantage of me offering me the lowest price for the plantains”

This was not the best time to become a Plantain Farmer in Guyana as most farmers were suffering heavy losses due to diseases and pests including Black Sigatoka (a leaf disease that has caused a significant decrease in the production of plantains since 2009), Moko, Corn borer and Nematodes.

In 2014 Ayodele learnt, by word of mouth from fellow farmers, about the PROPEL sponsored Plantain Management Program. The program was advertised as open to existing plantain farmers who were already cultivating plantains on a minimum of a half an acre or at least 300 suckers. Ayodele was quick to apply to participate and was accepted into the program in April, 2014.

Ayodele’s Vision Of A Sustainable Business - Farming Plantains In Guyana

PROPEL CASE STUDY #1

At the time, few farmers had the knowledge necessary to manage the pests, diseases and nutrition of their plantain crop and far less, the desire to invest in the purchase of pesticides and fertilizers needed to minimize those losses.

With help from fellow farmers, some family members and through trial and error, perseverance and eternal optimism, Ayodele was able to make enough to pay her workers and keep going.

Ayodele admits that participating in the PROPEL Plantain Management Program was a game-changer.

“As a result of the program, I can replicate what I have learnt. I am now able to manage the plantain cultivation and I have increased the average weight per bunch from 30 to 40 lbs., which increases my income. I have been able to build a house, purchase a boat and engine, travel and most importantly, ably provide for my family”. She elaborated that she has a deep sense of satisfaction and self-worth stemming from her transformation.

Ayodele currently has 8 acres cultivated in plantains with plans to increase production in the future.

As part of the this new program, Ayodele

• Attended a series of PROPEL/NAREI Workshops on the Production and Management of Plantains;

• Cultivated a half acre Action Oriented Research Plot (demonstration plot) and planted 300 disease-free suckers; • Tracked and utilized a “Tech Pack” consisting of fertilizers and pesticides specially prescribed for the management of diseases/pests and for the nutritional needs of the crop; and • Maintained a detailed Farm Diary provided by the

Project to chronicle her activities on the demonstration plot.

The project’s Agricultural Field Extension Officers regularly visited her farm to follow up and provide technical advice such as how to apply the pesticides and fertilizers .

Ayodele attends PROPEL workshop ( seated front left)

Ayodele practices farm sanitation “trashing” cleaning suckers of diseased leaves.

Up the end of September 2015, over 700 farmers in Guyana have participated in the Plantain Management Program offered by PROPEL in association with NAREI. Through this valuable technical assistance and the inputs provided, farmers are expected to practice what they have learnt, improve and increase production and share the knowledge with others. These producers will be better able to target high value markets due to the improved quality and more consistent supply of their produce.

opportunity for individuals and families to grow food. The project aimed to provide small farmers in targeted communities with technical training and practical support for the implementation of hydroponic and natural/organic cultivation practices on small farms or home gardens. From the project, Khemwattie received training and inputs such as : shade house plastic; shade net; 100 celery and 100 pakchoi seedlings ; and fertilizer for the life of the 2 crops, to start a new enterprise. In Year 1, she was using water in a solution with fertilizers and styrofoam sheets as an anchor for the plants on 4 (4 x 8 ft.) tables under shade. 2 months later she started using sand and paddy hull medium and added in 2 (4 x 18 ft.) boxes on the ground.

An “Enterprising Hobby” Becomes a Main Source of Income

PROPEL CASE STUDY #2

Mrs. Khemwattie Ramnaraine is a 56 year old shade house entrepreneur from Perseverance, along the Essequibo coast of Guyana. Khemwattie loved gardening and caring for plants and had always kept a kitchen garden for the needs of her family. In 2008 the family moved onto a larger lot giving her the space needed to begin producing vegetables on a larger scale in an open field. Khemwattie was able to sell her produce including lettuce, celery, sweet pepper, tomato and eschallot with some success to households in her community. 4 years ago, Khemwattie became a beneficiary of the Partners of the Americas (PoA) Hydroponic Production in Guyana project. The project was created, in response to major flooding along coastal and river communities in 2005. Hydroponic shade houses with elevated trays were considered resistant to most floods and a good

After assessing the situation in 2014, the PROPEL team in Guyana saw the need to expose shade house farmers in Guyana to a higher level of technology and improved methods of Protected Agriculture. Working with PoA, PROPEL selected and facilitated six (6) producers, involved in the Protected Agriculture “Shade House” vegetable production, to visit Jamaica for 1 week in August 2014. Khemwattie was one of the producers selected to go to Jamaica to participate in a study tour to learn about the improved Protected Agriculture Systems being utilized there. The exercise was led by Mr. Alvin Murray, PROPEL’s Senior Agricultural Coordinator, a versed Agronomist. Khemwattie and the other participants visited shade houses, greenhouses, input suppliers and had an interactive session with representatives of the Rural Agriculture Development Agency (RADA) of Jamaica.

Khemwattie shows the PROPEL team she practices what she has learnt

“This new technology it is much easier than the traditional way of cultivating vegetables and I have been quite successful”.

“Now my crops do not die due to the heat and most importantly grow faster, bigger and have a healthier appearance when compared to the plants grown in my earlier shade house designs. Growing vegetables hydroponically has increased the shelf life and taste of the vegetables, which has captivated and increased my clientele”

Since her visit to Jamaica, Khemwattie has built 2 new 20 ft. x 100 ft. shade houses. Like many of the participants, she has applied what was learnt, modifying her systems to improve production. Khemwattie expressed, “I was intrigued and motivated by what I learnt. That trip was great, it was a real eye opener, I wanted to practice everything I saw there, I was so impressed. The thing is, the technology I saw requires a lot of money to invest and I don’t have that kind of money, but in my own small way, I am using what I learnt, I am very happy with the results and I am making money”.

In May, 2015 Mr. Murray visited Guyana to follow up on the study tour and engage with producers who were utilizing Protected Agriculture Systems to improve the development and management of their facilities. The training program was designed to allow producers to visit and observe practices of existing Protected Agriculture Systems and to allow participants to question and gather technical knowledge based on their shared observations. The session was attended by 25 persons, including Khemwattie and the 5 others who visited Jamaica in 2014. PoA was instrumental in the selection of participants for both interventions and helped facilitate the additional training.

She added “with PROPEL’s intervention I have new insights and I am better able to manage the issues of pests and diseases. PROPEL has also helped me to master the hydroponic system as a business. I pay more attention to business decision making, costs, revenue, profits, which crops offer the best profit potential and I understand how the decisions that I make, or do not make, affect my profitability. I now have a holistic understanding of agronomy and farm economics”. Today, Khemwattie reaps twice a week an average of 25 parcels of pakchoi; 100 hears of lettuce; and during the life of the tomato crop, she harvest’s 600 lbs of tomato from 2 beds. She sells her prized vegetables to consolidators (middlemen) as well as at the local market. When asked about the profitability of her business she shared, “Let us put it this way, my husband had a stroke and could not work much before he passed away 2 months ago. From the proceeds of the garden, I paid all the bills in the house, I employed my grandson and I am able to invest in expansion of my hydroponic cultivation. I am very happy with what I earn. There is no turning back, this is profitable. I have the training and know how, and I am motivated to do this right. There is nothing from which I cannot bounce back. I only wish that my husband, who was very supportive of me going to Jamaica through PROPEL, could have been around to benefit more from this.

With the extension of her shade house system and modifications made to the design: Khemwattie increased the height of the houses; she added shade mesh to reduce the amount of heat that enters; and added a vent to its roof to allow hot air to escape, Khemwattie has significantly reduced the heat stress on the plants which was affecting her production. Hot shade houses are one of the most common shade house issues in Guyana and the Caribbean.

Khemwattie’s vented shade house

Hydroponic cultivation using nutrient solution

produce and they generally get a higher return on their investment than selling to wholesalers or at the open market. CFL currently imports approximately 50% of its fresh produce. According to the CFL’s Perishables Manager, Mr. Dunstan Demille,

“CFL’s policy is to buy local first and import what we cannot produce in St. Lucia. Nevertheless, one of the biggest challenges CFL faces today, is with the quality and availability of fresh produce. CFL has had to depend on some imports to fulfill demand at their supermarkets.”

CFL manages a chain of the largest supermarkets on the islands of St. Lucia and St. Vincent, where it enjoys 70% market share of the retail supermarket business. It’s stated aim has been to supply these markets with high quality food and non-food products, while supporting the local agricultural and manufacturing industries and the communities. Approximately 300 farmers in St. Lucia supply CFL on a consistent basis. While CFL insists on high quality produce, it is an important market for farmers as CFL has the capacity to buy large quantities of

PROPEL CASE STUDY #3

From “farm to fork”, Consolidated Foods Limited (CFL) engages local farmers to ensure consistent, high quality fresh produce for their supermarkets.

(L-R) CFL’s, Dunstan Demille in the field with WUSC Agronomist, Julius Polius and Local Farmer, Rafael “Freedom” Gaston

In June 2013, PROPEL sponsored a CaFAN Buyer/Grower Forum in St. Lucia which Mr. Demille was one of the key note speakers and a facilitator. At the Forum, he invited private sector buyers to identify their priorities for fresh produce and farmers in turn to highlight their needs for secure contracts, better payment terms and technical assistance to assist with the production of new varieties of produce as demanded by the buyers. The farmers left the meeting with a short list of fresh produce items in high demand from buyers and a commitment from PROPEL to assist with technical assistance as needed.

To make good on its promise to farmers, PROPEL and CFL has been working with farmers in St. Lucia. In December of 2014, 16 farmers were selected by CFL to engage in vegetable value-chain trials with PROPEL’s support. Demonstration plots for the production of some of the high demand vegetables were created. CFL agreed to purchase all of the resulting fresh produce from the vegetable trials while PROPEL provided the farmers with the seedlings, select inputs and technical assistance.

1 of the 10 Supermarkets and a Club Store operated by CFL in St. Lucia – Photo (The Voice),

September 2015

“Our value chain approach is a win/win, not just for the farmers and CFL but also for the consumers. The technical assistance from WUSC assisted the farmers in achieving better yields and quality. It also empowered them in the adoption of better crop management practices. Our customers had the opportunity to purchase a number of locally produced items that they would not normally get at our stores. The feedback received from the customers on the products were all positive”

The CFL/PROPEL vegetable trials in St. Lucia saw 5.5 acres of land cultivated across 16 farms in 2015. This has yielded EC$34,095 to date. Since the inception of the PROPEL project, the team has been engaging CFL and Dunstan Demille in their private sector consultations. Mr. Demille is also an active member of the PROPEL Strategic Advisory Committee (SAC).

Tomatoes, watermelons, beets, sweet peppers, broccoli, string beans, red cabbage, swiss chard, cauliflower and romaine lettuce were planted in the trials. PROPEL conducted soil testing and provided technical assistance such as pest and disease identification and mitigation measures, fertilizer usage, water use efficiency, as well as monitoring of the crops through the life cycle. Unfortunately, drought frustrated the efforts on some of the open field crops cultivated. One farmer, Marcus Gustave, who used protected agriculture practices, was very successful. He said “The good yields I got was because of the better control that I had over water, heat and pests and diseases in the green-house, when compared with the open fields.”

All of the produce was purchased by CFL. Despite the drought, most of the farmers who had participated in the trials, plan to continue and expand the volumes of produce to be supplied to CFL to satisfy their customer’s requirement for year round supplies of fresh produce. PROPEL has been using the demonstration plots to train other interested farmers. WUSC agronomist, Julius Polius explained, “ Climate change remains a challenge for farmers, especially in the small island states. However with proper water management, good agricultural practices, improved seed and fertilizer regimes, we can mitigate some of its effects. It is critical we produce more locally grown, fresh vegetables as this will improve the general health of the local population and of course St. Lucia’s food security ”. When asked about the trials, Mr. Demille explained that CFL remains committed to sourcing fresh produce from local producers and stated: Mr. Demille (in a green shirt) attending the SAC in St. Lucia (August 2015)

PROPEL CASE STUDY #4

Since the turn of the century, agriculture in St. Lucia has been in decline. According to a 2010 EU Report, between the period of 1999 to 2007 there was a 42% reduction in the acreage in agriculture and in the past decade, more than 50% reduction in the number of men and women employed in the sector. The dwindling agricultural sector accounts for less than 4% of GDP and most of that has been dominated by the banana industry. Despite this trend, demand for fresh produce on the local market is rising, especially to meet demand from the growing tourism industry. The agricultural sector and the government of St. Lucia have been actively looking for ways to diversify and promote domestic food production for national food security.

Potato trial produces a high quality table potato and a new opportunity for farmers in St. Lucia

Following up on successes with PROPEL’s potato development programs in Jamaica, the PROPEL team determined that St. Lucia, with its fertile soils and cool mountainous terrain, would be a good fit for potato production. While some St. Lucian farmers have had experience producing roots and tubers, especially sweet potatoes, dasheen and yams, over the years production has dwindled as many farmers migrated to banana production or out of farming altogether. Early in 2015, CFL, a strategic partner that manages the largest chain of supermarkets on the island, was approached to work with PROPEL to encourage farmers to grow potatoes in St. Lucia. CFL is an important buyer of fresh produce in St. Lucia and Perishables Manager, Mr. Dunstan Demille, was excited by the challenge and was quick to come on board, promising to purchase all of the potatoes produced in the trial.

WUSC Agronomist Julius Polius and “Freedom” work side by side in the potato fields

Minister of Agriculture at the launch and taste testing of the Potato trials. View at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUNCCpsVH-c

The PROPEL/CFL program involved a trial to evaluate three varieties of potatoes to determine their suitability for production in St. Lucia. PROPEL provided the seeds and the varieties, which included Challenger, Chieftain and Spunta. CFL’s Mr. Demille and PROPEL agronomist, Julius Polius, worked together to find the suitable areas and producers for the trial. Mr. Raphael “Freedom” Gaston’s Farm at Desraches, Soufriere was selected as it is at 19,000 feet above sea level and enjoys cooler night temperatures which are required for optimum tuberization of potatoes. The potatoes were planted in mid February and were harvested in mid May. Throughout the crop cycle, PROPEL provided technical guidance on land preparation, planting, pest and disease control and fertilizer use. Farmer “Freedom” Gaston stated,

Consolidated Foods Limited (CFL) onboard with potato pilot program

PROPEL potato pilot program

“This was the first time that I have grown potatoes. I was very happy with the experience and the help that PROPEL provided. I plan to plant more potatoes in the future and increase the acreage”.

October 2015

As a result of this trial, CFL has committed to engage 24 farmers to produce Spunta and Chieftain potatoes on over 25 acres in St. Lucia. PROPEL is providing the Super Elite Seeds for this program and CFL will purchase all of the produce from the farmers and pay them, net the value of the seeds. The money from those proceeds will become a revolving fund to purchase seeds for future harvests.

Potato varieties are put to the test

Top Chef Orlando Satchell praises the quality of the locally grown potatoes

Following the success of the Potato Trial, CFL commits to expand the program to other roots & tubers.

View TV interview www.youtube.com/watch?v=lu-U07GkuxA

In this first trial, Mr. Gaston was able to produce above international yields at around 18,000 lbs. per acre. PROPEL’s Senior Regional Agricultural Coordinator, Mr. Alvin Murray, who worked with Mr. Poilus to oversee the trials, suggested that there is evidence that some farmers, especially the ones in the hills with cooler night time temperatures, could achieve upward of 20-25,000 lbs. per acre. He was confident that, with attention to soil moisture content, potatoes can be cultivated on St. Lucian hillsides year round.

Potatoes fair well in blind taste tests As part of the trials, the locally grown potatoes were supplied to the award winning chef of Orlando’s Restaurant to prepare dishes for taste testing by farmers, officials of Ministry of Agriculture and the public. In the blind taste tests, the trial potatoes were mixed with imported potato varieties. The presentations were boiled, pan-fried, chips/crisp, French fries, mashed and baked. Participants were unable to discern any difference between the local potato and imported potatoes with regard to texture, taste, appearance and other qualitative attributes. Chef Satchell was happy to daub the trial potatoes, “Lucian Potatoes” and said, “having potatoes grown

Mr. Demille commended PROPEL saying, “With PROPEL taking a market-led approach, to increasing production of key fresh produce items, it taught us (CFL) that we can get better returns on our investment if you do it right. Never before have I witnessed a program that achieves the intended outcome like I have seen with PROPEL. PROPEL understands that you must make your implementation processes as simple as can be. With the results that have been achieved, I have no issue continuing to be a part of the PROPEL Project where we can continue the transformation of the agricultural sector with a great focus on empowering farmers in the region”.

CFL happy with program and pledges continued support

locally will be a tremendous boost to the farmers and the tourism product”.

Due to the foreign exchange situation, the Government of Jamaica (GOJ) announced a strategy to replace 80-85% of imported table potatoes with local production. This led to the development and launch of the National Irish Potato Programme (NIPP) in October 2013 involving hundred of farmers across 9 parishes. The GOJ committed 25 million dollars to the program to be carried out by the Ministry of Agriculture and the Rural Agricultural Development Agency (RADA). As part of this program, farmers were required to participate in training in which PROPEL had provided technical assistance in the form of Farmer Field Schools, demonstration plots and train the trainer programs for the RADA extension officers.

Review of the Potato Seed Program PROPEL hosted a review of the Potato Seed Program in May 2014, attended by representatives of the Ministry of Agriculture, RADA, WUSC and various private sector participants including marketing manager, Marcia Charlebois from Glasonbury. A number of issues were highlighted, including: the lack of credit for farmers; the need for additional storage - both for seeds and potatoes; farmers want their potatoes to be purchased at the point of harvest; farmers and re-sellers are competing in the marketplace. Mr. Dermon Spence, Chief Technical Director at the Ministry of Agriculture, pointed out the need for the private sector to provide contracts for farmers. It was also highlighted that there is a need for a local seed production program because the cost of seeds on the world market continues to rise and can become prohibitive. Encouraged by PROPEL’s vision of trying to get potatoes to grow year round in Jamaica and with Mr. Murray’s guidance, Glastonbury decided to import the super elite potatoes instead of the traditional grade A seeds and set up a sell and buy back seed program. Ms. Charlebois explained,

PROPEL CASE STUDY #5

Glastonbury begins contracting farmers to create successful market linkages and a more stable and sustainable business.

The Gentles family, have been farming in Jamaica for generations. They had traditionally grown bananas, coffee and potatoes. The Gentles family farm in Trelawny continues to produce potatoes and other produce on approximately 200 acres. In September of 1993 they formed the Glastonbury Purveyor Company, a full service supplier of fresh and frozen food products. Since then Glastonbury, under the management of Hugh Gentles and Marcia Charlebois, the company has grown to be a significant food distributor in Jamaica, supplying restaurants, supermarkets and hotels all over the island. They have a dedicated warehouse facility and some cold storage to maintain produce quality and shelf life. As farmers and importers/re-sellers of potatoes and seeds, Glastonbury has participated in various PROPEL consultations and meetings dating back to 2012 and were exposed to the project mantra of self sufficiency and the sustainability of the potato sector. PROPEL’s Senior Agricultural Coordinator, Mr. Alvin Murray, has championed the idea that Jamaica could produce it’s own seeds from super elite potatoes. These potatoes he argued, would provide seed potatoes for out of season planting, reduce waste, help with disease control experienced with lower quality potatoes and provide a stable and more continuous revenue stream for the farmers.

“We try to participate in any program that will help Jamaican agriculture become more sustainable. Local potatoes are traditionally only available 6 months of the year, we have storage, so we can supply the market longer. If seeds are available and farmers can produce another crop, we could reduce that gap to 3 months, or less with cold storage.”

Marcia Charlebois, Marketing Manager

Despite a severe drought in 2015, the Sell and Buy Back Potato Seed Program initiated by PROPEL has been lauded as a success and is contributing to the sustainability of the potato sector. PROPEL has other private sector buyers actively looking at contracting with farmers and becoming involved with this program as well as applying it to various other crops. Glastonbury will continue with the program and are looking at the cost/benefit of added cold storage.

The Sell and Buy Back Seed Program Under PROPEL’s guidance, Glastonbury went one step further and created, for the first time, the means by which qualified farmers could contract with Glastonbury to be able to get credit to access high quality seeds and other potato inputs. As part of the sell and buy back seed program, they also provided participating farmers with a guaranteed market for their produce at the time of harvest. According to Ms. Charlebois, contracts were offered to their farmers in two forms, both of which guaranteed farmers a market for their produce at a fixed minimum price. In both cases Glastonbury collected, cleaned, graded, stored and sold the potatoes for the farmers. As part of the program, PROPEL with the support of extension officers from RADA, who had been trained by the project, provided the technical assistance to these farmers. Option 1: A farmer with the Glastonbury contract in hand, could approach the Credit Unions or other financial institutions for a loan to purchase the seeds and other inputs necessary to produce the potato crop. About 60% of the approximately 100 farmers involved in the new seed program were able to do this successfully. Option 2: Glastonbury provided the seeds, fertilizers, pesticides and other inputs to the farmers upfront, and in return, at harvest the farmer turned over the entire crop to Glastonbury who deducted the cost of inputs supplied and paid the farmer the net value for the crop. The second option is a higher risk to the company especially as the crop is subject to drought, floods and hurricanes. Ms. Charlebois explained that since so many of the potato farmers in Jamaica are small farmers (cultivating between 1-5 acres) it is seen to be a necessary risk and a matter of trust. This offer was extended to farmers well known to the company with whom they had confidence. She pointed out that it is a matter of trust, and so far they have not had any problems with the program even though this year Jamaica had experienced a severe drought and it had affected harvests. Ms. Charlebois stated,

“one of the good things that has come out of this connection with PROPEL is that our farmer base has increased a lot – a good 30-40% of new farmers have become involved with us through the program. The seed program has been very successful and now we are looking at similar programs with other crops, such as onions. It was a good business decision”. Farmer Purchell Johnson, who has been involved in the sell and buy back seed program, had this to say,

Hugh Gentles (top left) and the Glastonbury team Glastonbury facilities in Trelawny, Jamaica

"I got the elite seeds from Glastonbury and they gave me a contract to buy back all my potatoes at a reasonable price. They pick them up and sort them, so it makes it easy to do business with them"