The Sandals Exper ience Sydney Henry

Operates in 6 islands/15 properties

Ten thousand staff/team members

Significant contribution to per capita GDP

Employment in agriculture, ground transportation, hospitality, tour operations

Education

Green houses in support of children’s nutritional needs

Developing value added products from recycled materials

Environment

Marine protected areas

Tree planting projects

Environmental awareness campaigns

Community

Supporting farm cooperatives/farmers groups, women and youth

Demonstration Plots, Aquaponic Farms,

Agencies

Cooperatives

Corporation

Profit

People Policy

Products

Extension Officers:- tech support, Interpret policy, advice on marketing, prices, standards Farmers ;-Training, Product development, Marketing Higglers, buying and selling

Farm Produce Consistency in quality, quantity supply to meet demand Proper post Harvesting, Storage, transportation

Standards, certification and traceability regulation. Planning, implementation Institutional Framework

Parish Overview 39 Hotels in Negril (JHTA Members) Tourism employs almost 60,000 Jamaicans in

Westmoreland. 9782 Farmers (Female-2942, Male-6840) Eight (8) extension areas Savanna-La-Mar, Williamsfield, Grange- hill, Little London, Darliston, Bethel Town, New Works, Leamington Main Crops – Sugar Cane, Corn, Dasheen,

Vegetables, Irish Potato, Sweet Potato, Coco, Scotch Bonnet Pepper, West Indian Red Pepper, Sweet Pepper, Banana, Plantain, Sorrel, Pineapple.

Held every last Wednesday of each month (so as to not conflict or directly compete with the municipal markets).

Assist 35 registered RADA farmers monthly.

It positively impacts the lives of farmers from 6 Parishes (Hanover, Westmoreland, St. James, Trelawny, St. Elizabeth and Manchester).

75% of Farmers are usually from the Parishes of Westmoreland and St. Elizabeth.

It is supported by Hotels, Guest Houses, Restaurants, Supermarkets and Green grocers.

It brings synergy between local authorities and the farming community. (Negril Chamber of Commerce, JCF, JHTA, RADA, Farmers).

Lack of trust between Hoteliers and Farmers Lack of synergy between MOAF and MOT, JHTA. Negative cultural practices. (No Record Keeping,

C.O.P., Bad Post Harvest Management) Farmers are usually unable to wait for long

periods for payment. Farmers inconsistency in quantity and quality of

produce. Large hotels are reluctant in taking produce from

a farmer, they prefer to have a relationship with a single supplier which can supply multiple agricultural produce consistently. It simplifies their data base and reduces time and cost.

Reluctance of farmers in doing C.O.P. (Unable to tell when they are breaking even, operating at a loss or profit).

Farmers are usually unable to transport produce using a box body truck, crates and cooling systems due to the high cost associated with such assets.

Hotels’ reluctance in providing information regarding the quantity of produce used during the various seasons. This would help in production planning with MOAF, RADA and Farmers.

Sandals

MM

Farmers/Cooperatives Agencies

200 Individual Farmers served

100/150 farmers served through farmers markets

60/40% Import/Export supply/demand

Quality Assurance

Controlled value chain

Reduction of post harvest loss

Stable prices

Consistency in supply and quality of produce

Long term relationships with farmers/cooperatives/suppliers

Agriculture Business Information System (ABIS) provides relevant production data and farmer contacts in Jamaica to stakeholders including hotels.

Negril’s Farmer’s Market contributes approximately $7.5 mil JMD to approximately 35 farmers monthly. The most successful market contributed approximately $18 mil to 85 farmers and moved approximately 120,000 lbs.

Sandals Foundation built a Greenhouse in the Robins River Community in Westmoreland.

Through the JAMPRO Linkages Forum and the Negril Farmer’s Market RADA was able to get a few selected farmers supplying selected items to small and medium sized hotels (Seasonal).

Jamaica’s Tourism Enhancement Fund sponsoring the RADA Negril Farmers’ Market has facilitated in making it a monthly and permanent fixture in the tourist town of Negril.

As a result of the successes of the Negril Farmers’ Market, St. James RADA and St. Anns RADA have introduced similar strategies in Mobay and Ocho Rios which are prominent tourist areas.

Negril Farmers’ Market drives other socio-economic benefits. (Bike Taxi)

Sustainable policies/Standards and Regulations

Formal Institutional arrangements for groups/cooperatives

Micro Financing, Training, Business development

ICT’s as an emergent platform

Greater access to high quality fresh local produce Properly managed Farm tours Post Harvesting and storage opportunities Transportation processes