May 18, 2010

New Project Won: Jamaica—Marketing and Agriculture for Jamaican Improved Competitiveness (MAJIC)

Rural Economies, Women and Youth, Agricultural Biodiversity to Benefit

ACDI/VOCA will implement a new $14 million, USAID-funded project to help drive economic growth and poverty reduction by increasing productivity in the agricultural sector. ACDI/VOCA will work with key local partners to increase the volume and value of Jamaican agricultural commodities to improve farm income, strengthen food security and expand small-scale rural enterprises.

Marketing and Agriculture for Jamaican Improved Competitiveness (MAJIC) also will engage women and youth in agricultural training production and promote environmentally sustainable practices that tie economic incentives to the protection of biodiversity.

Stronger Jamaican Rural Economy

Jamaica’s economic performance has oscillated over the past few decades and continues to be constrained by a lack of resources, anemic economic growth, high unemployment and inflation, and a debt-to-GDP ratio of 126 percent, according to USAID.

Although it makes up only 6 percent to 8 percent of gross domestic product (GDP), the agriculture sector holds significant potential for rural growth and development because of its importance to the overall economy as well as its potential for rural economic growth. The agricultural sector represents an important source of income for the rural population and accounts for 18.4 percent of total employment.

Still, Jamaican agriculture faces several constraints to growth. The sector consists predominately of small-scale farmers with fewer than five hectares of land, and most farmers operate at subsistence levels.

This fragmentation leads to inefficiencies in production and restricted access to necessary inputs and services, including credit and reliable sources of new technology and market information. Farmers’ small plot size also makes it difficult for them to produce the higher volume and quality that the market demands.

Boost Women’s, Youth’s Key Roles in Agriculture

MAJIC will consider local gender dynamics and how they play out in various agricultural activities to develop ways for both men and women to benefit from new market and other opportunities.

MAJIC also will engage youth in project activities, particularly those that develop youth’s agricultural and business skills to help them secure employment as farmers or in agriculture-related businesses.

Enhance Agroforestry to Conserve Biodiversity

MAJIC will promote an agroforestry strategy that directly addresses the economic and social needs of farmers and the environmental needs of their lands. MAJIC will identify and promote agroforestry interventions that combat forest degradation, enhance biodiversity, diversify income, minimize soil erosion and lessen crops’ susceptibility to damage by storms and hurricanes.

More Competitive Jamaican Farmers, More Market Activity

ACDI/VOCA’s project will focus on four key economic-growth strategies

1. support an effective and efficient marketing information system
2. strengthen production, processing and marketing linkages throughout select value chains
3. strengthen financial services for production, productivity and marketing
4. improve production and marketing of select specialty crops, mainly cocoa

MAJIC will increase competitiveness at all levels from producer to market by fielding volunteer experts who will provide technical assistance to improve productivity for a range of staple and cash crops such as cocoa, which presents significant income opportunities because of high global demand.

To learn more visit its Project Profile, here.