Caribbean Fine Cocoa Forum

1. Caribbean Fine Cocoa Forum Entrepreneurial Agriculture, Agricultural Entrepreneurship and Cocoa-farming Communities in Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica Denise-Margaret Thompson, PhD Centre for Production Systems University of Trinidad & Tobago

3. Caribbean Fine Cocoa Forum Overall Objectives Promote a successful, inter-disciplinary, applied research approach to sustainable development of the Caribbean Cocoa Agro-industry Greater income to small cocoa farmers Improved rural economies

4. CFCF Project Aims To promote a successful, inter-disciplinary, applied research approach to sustainable development for Caribbean Cocoa which will lead to poverty reduction among small cocoa farmers greater income from crop yields, by-products and value-added cocoa products adoption and application of relevant scientific research through knowledge transfer techniques greater productivities to farmers added value through viable agro-products greater participation by farmers in production and post harvest management

5. Caribbean Fine Cocoa Forum Specific Objectives Establish a multi-stakeholder Caribbean Cocoa Network (CFCF) to link key research institutions to Cocoa Boards, Government Ministries, Cocoa farming communities, Cocoa Processers Successfully deliver applied research applications into the cocoa industry sector Conduct focus groups with beneficiaries and stakeholders!

6. CFCF Focus Group Questions ��Current circumstances, context of farmers Specific issues to growing and reaping cocoa Farmers� financials Technology

7. Caribbean Fine Cocoa Forum Entrepreneurial Agriculture crucial economic force in rural communities, providing consumers with creative and resourceful adaptation of successful production systems

8. Caribbean Fine Cocoa Forum Inter-disciplinary Applied Research Approach Cutting-edge production and processing practices Solar and alternative energy drying technologies HACCP-based quality management systems GIS/GPS/Mobile telephony for disease control, crop production and yield, Discovery-based information sharing and training Value-added cocoa product development

9. CFCF and MDGs Eradicating extreme poverty Reducing child mortality rates Developing global partnerships business and technical entrepreneurial capacity improved production and market-based training sustainable development: creating wealth, enhancing quality of life, protecting ecosystems and tackling climate change

10. CFCF: Sustainable Farms are.. Economically viable Provide a living wage for farmers and farm workers Direct marketing, cooperatives, informed inter-cropping� Environmentally sound Promote biodiversity Preserve habitat Conserve natural resources Reduce dependence on fuel & chemical inputs Socially responsible Contribute to community food security and positive quality of life A little refresher�A little refresher�

11. CFCF and Entrepreneurial Agriculture Sources of Agricultural Innovations: National agricultural research institutes International public /private applied research solutions partnerships for agriculture and food productivity (World Bank, FAO, IICA, CRU�) Cutting edge and traditional science solutions for improved plant traits and crop productivity Process technologies to enhance nutritional value, shelf life and other attributes

12. Entrepreneurial Agriculture cont�d Foster sustainable rural development Find alternatives to commodity production New value-added products New high value markets New non-food uses of agricultural products �Mandate�: Assist new venture creation

13. What Capacities Are Needed? Entrepreneurial capacity Risk seeking and resource creating Innovation capacity Willingness to create the new Capacity to assess market opportunity What the customer values! Commercialization Capacity Ability to convert the concept into practice What Capacities Are Needed? Entrepreneurial capacity Risk seeking and resource creating Innovation capacity Willingness to create the new Capacity to assess market opportunity What the customer values! Commercialization Capacity Ability to convert the concept into practice

14. Caribbean Fine Cocoa Forum Agricultural Entrepreneur: Any person who starts, organizes and operates a business, assuming risk for the sake of profit Agricultural Entrepreneurship: The act of organizing /managing required inputs for a farming activity or agricultural business, and keeping financial records to determine return to investments.

15. 3 Features of the Ag. Entrepreneur Identification/recognition of market opportunity and generation of a business idea (product or service) to address opportunity Marshalling and commitment of resources in the face of risk to pursue opportunity Creation of an operating business model and organization to implement and exploit the opportunity-motivated business

16. CFCF � Focus Groups Key Activities � Establish network for Forum! T&T: Grande Riviere/Toco Farmers� groups 25 farmers; May 11, 2010 Jamaica: Richmond Fermentary Farmers� groups 11 farmers; June 24, 2010 Conduct focus groups with beneficiaries and stakeholders!

17. CFCF: Key Learnings from Jamaica� We know their names and their stories Six of the eleven farmers are women All have been in cocoa from childhood and want to grow �the business� Five of eleven have had some form of business training; 4 cocoa training, 3 agricultural training, 3 computer training, 3 no training of any kind Major issues of theft after sale to fermentary, Financing, Land title and size of holdings issues, Succession planning Children educated and long gone, but cocoa is my life! A little refresher�A little refresher�

18. CFCF: Key Learnings from T&T.. Enthusiasm aside, 25 great for discussion, but too large for focus group Excellent ground rules that any issue raised must pertain to cocoa farming and not politics Firm resolve that government MUST do more to help them especially in capital financing Zero traction on concept of operating as a business Strong suggestion for development of a model farm for very hilly topography in their district Disdain at the �disconnect� between those working in air-conditioned offices doing mathematical calculations and determining the reality of the small farmer working in the fields. A little refresher�A little refresher�

19. More CFCF learnings from Trinidad Strong sense of alienation and neglect of this part of Trinidad from authorities Lack of trust/transparency for middle men operating in the industry � not aware or informed of what they do Inaccessible/unavailable financing for growth and expansion; ownership / lease and land access still issues of concern Eco-type tourism product around the cocoa with tourists already coming to watch turtles from March to September. Captive audiences could tour a cocoa farm Could market and sell a variety of cocoa value add products Possibility around Toco -Tobago tourism product with a transport connection to Tobago.

20. So what is Entrepreneurship again ? (Shane and Ventakaram, 2000) ��the scholarly examination of how, by whom, and with what effects opportunities to create future goods and services are discovered, evaluated, and exploited��. (Baumol, 1990) �Entrepreneurs are persons who are ingenious and creative in finding ways that add to their own wealth, power and prestige�. (Gries and Naude , 2010) �Entrepreneurship: the resource, process and state of being through and in which individuals utilise positive opportunities in the market by creating and growing new business firms�.

21. What Capacities Are Needed? Entrepreneurial capacity Risk seeking and resource creating Innovation capacity Willingness to create the new Capacity to assess market opportunity What the customer values! Commercialization Capacity Ability to convert the concept into practice What Capacities Are Needed? Entrepreneurial capacity Risk seeking and resource creating Innovation capacity Willingness to create the new Capacity to assess market opportunity What the customer values! Commercialization Capacity Ability to convert the concept into practice

22. The REAL Challenge..... END OF PRESENTATION