The Tribune

By YOURI KEMP

Tribune Business Reporter

ykemp@tribunemedia.net

The Small Business Development Centre (SBDC) says it has facilitated some $1.216m in financing for 57 farming and fishing entrepreneurs in Andros.

Tehranique Darrell, the SBDC’s Family Island manager, told the Andros Business Outlook that developing a fishing and farming ecosystem can be a “complex undertaking” that needs to have a full understanding of supply chain management and the value chain on how markets are created.

Adapting to market demand and changes, she added, was critical, and the SBDC has sought to do this on Andros by reaching farmers and fishermen. “Here’s a look at what we’ve done on Andros to-date,” Ms Darrell said. “So our farming programme has disbursed $601,000 to 31 clients, which included 19 start-ups and existing businesses and, by gender, 15 males and 16 females. Our fishing programme disbursed $615,000 to 19 start-ups and seven existing businesses.”

The SBDC is now seeking to develop farming and fishing clusters as a means to deliver training programmes and “accelerated funding” to the businesses involved. Ms Darrell said: “When we talk about ecosystems, we delve into the understanding that no man can live as an island.

“We do not exist as a singular or an individual entity. Each component of the ecosystem is dependent or interdependent on the other, and we begin to understand that farming is not only the planting, nurturing and harvesting of crop, and that fishing is not simply the catching of fish.

“The supply chain considers all of the steps taken - from market demand to consumer access, from input supplies to land prep to cultivating, harvesting and distribution. Each moving part of the supply chain creates opportunity for an immeasurable expansion into agri-business.”

Ms Darrell added that the global push for greater food security had resulted in a “renewed commitment to” the farming and fishing industries. “Although currently agriculture and fisheries only account for 1.6 percent of the GDP of The Bahamas, and produce 3 percent of all jobs, they are continually recognised as important for the diversification of our economy.

“Changes to the technology used in the farming and fishing industry will be a key aspect of its development in economic and employment terms. Technological and biological advances will be essential in order for agriculture and fishing to continue to expand in a way that does not modify natural habitats and is environmentally friendly.”