Workshop Report "Agribusiness Management for Farmers’ Organizations”

Introduction
This report summarises the discussions and outcomes of the workshop titled “Regional Training Course in Agribusiness Management for Farmers’ Organizations”, held at Bay Gardens Inn Castries, St. Lucia July 26- 30, 2010. The workshop used practical, experimental as well as participatory learning concepts, principles and building skills to increase participants’ knowledge to enable better informed discussion in the development of Agribusiness Management for farmers’ Organizations of the Region.
CAFAN, GTFS Value Chain Team, Trinidad and Tobago, FAO AGS Team, Rome, and all of those who took part in the workshop have committed themselves to facilitating and linking farmers to input dealers, traders, processors and consumers as well as other actors along the supply chain, thus creating opportunities to capture value and distribute benefits to their members as a result in closer integration into competitive value chains and Food Security Policies.

Organizers and Panellists
Forty five persons representing leading farmers’ organisations and selected value chain stakeholders from eleven Caribbean countries, including the host country St. Lucia were brought together to discuss the business of agriculture. Mr. Heiko Bammann and Ms. Alexandra Rottger of FAO - Rome, Mr. Robert Best and Mr. Lafaele Enoka of FAO - Trinidad & Tobago and Mr. Jethro Greene of CaFAN prepared the programme for the training week and led the different sessions.
Preventatives are from the countries of: Jamaica, Antigua and Barbuda, Kitts and Nevis, Grenada, Barbados, Dominica, St. Vincent, St. Lucia. Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana,


Goal of the workshop
The Aim of the workshop is improve farm business management, marketing skills of farmers, strengthen post harvest handling skills and to improve product quality and profitability.
During the regional training course, presentations and discussions focused on topics such as marketing, business planning and preparing business plans, managing people and finance, farm business management, enterprise development, value chain financing, and management of farmers’ organisations. All topics aimed at empowering farmers in the agriculture sector.

Opening ceremony
The workshop was officially opened by Mr. Jethro Greene in the absence of Honourable Ezechiel Joseph, Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, St.Lucia. Mr. Greene reiterated the importance for unity among the famers’ organizations in the Region and to remain non-political and non-religious. Mrs. Dhano Sookoo, Directory of CaFAN and chairperson of the ceremony, voiced the importance for strategic leadership, effective management and managerial skills among the organizations highlighting their vulnerability as evolving bodies on the competitive market, to remain focused and goal oriented for prosperity. This was followed by remarks from Mr Heiko Bammann, Enterprise Development Officer, FAO Rome, addressed the participants with much anticipation and encouragement, stressing production and marketing co-ordination to improve livelihoods and commodities. Upon conclusion Ms. Nyasha Durrant, CaFAN’s Secretariat spoke of CaFAN’s gratitude and thanked all the stake holders and social partners for their support and commitment towards the development of the agricultural sector in the Region.

Summary of Proceedings/ Discussion
The workshop was conducted over five days (July 26-30, 2010) and was attended by leading representatives and youths from Farmers Organization throughout the Caribbean.
 Day1- focused on Marketing (maintain producer/buyer linkages), Agri-business Management and Enterprise Development.
 Day 2- set guideline and components of a business plan, including assessment of risks and risk avoiding/ mitigation strategies and an insight into managing finances.
 Day3- field visit to Super J purchasing centre/ supermarket, Belle Vue Farmers’ Cooperative and to Black Bay Farmers’ Cooperative.
 Day4- presentation on findings from the previous day, discussion on the role of farmers’ organization in marketing and the supply chain management for producers’ organization.
 Day5- role in the negotiations and policy development within Value Chain and reflection and feedback from participants.

Key findings
Effective entrepreneurial skills are crucial for anyone seeking advancement in business.
The Course provided an opportunity for participants to learn and practice strategic planning, reorganizations, defining new priorities, effective presentation and credibility in their organizations.
NEFO participants attended the workshop with open minds and were ready to share as much as possible. It articulated their expectations and, clarifies roles and responsibilities, to higher business standard. The forum facilitated communication strength and working in partnership with other organizations.
NEFO’s interaction was greatly appreciated, where both Ms. Renortha Penny and Mr. Lawrence Amede played key roles in the forethought on requested material. Throughout the workshop NEFO’s representation embraced the opportunity for Youth participation and awareness for young business leaders of the region accentuating our common goals, recognizing the need for entrepreneurial development and continued network linkages among ourselves.