NASSAU, The Bahamas -- The Bahamas Development Bank (BDB) is launching a Long Island Small Ruminant Revitalization Project (SRRP).

The announcement was made at a Town Hall meeting at NGM Major School in Deadman’s Cay, Long Island, Thursday, October 31, 2019.

The Hon. Jeffrey Lloyd, Minister of Education (MOE) and the Hon. Adrian Gibson, Executive Chairman, Water and Sewerage Corporation and MP for Long Island were among the officials in attendance. Also present were Don Turnquest, Deputy Permanent Secretary, (MOE) and Marsha Moncur, Asst. Manager, BDB, Grand Bahama.

Troy Sampson, BDB Manager/Business Development said the BDB, in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Resources (MOAMR) and the Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI), will host a three-day workshop in February 2020 in Long Island aimed at re-invigorating the small ruminant (sheep and goats in particular) as well as pig stocks in The Bahamas.

Mr. Sampson said the goal of the program over the next five years is to facilitate the engagement of new and existing farmers throughout The Bahamas with a view to improving foreign exchange through import substitution, employment generation, wealth dispersion (via new businesses) provision of fresh meat to the populace and a marginal step toward food security.

The program comprises four components. They include:

1.     Education and training – an introductory workshop will be hosted by the Department of Agriculture and CARDI to provide interested persons with an overview of the industry and program design and information on general business development and practices. It is intended that certified trainers representing the Department of Agriculture and CARDI will provide ongoing technical training, support and supervision for the first five years of the program.

2.     Establishing Program Participants and their Roles – The value chain will be supported by multiple sets of participants, such as (farmers, government inspectors, truckers, shippers, agriculture marketers and brokers etc.).

3.  Government Support – Policy setting and strengthening of institutions and operational support are two of the roles of The Bahamas Government required to assist in the success of the SRRP.

4.  Access to Funding – Program candidates are required to successfully complete the training and education program, the initial plan, submission and borrowing evaluation before BDB provides access to affordable loans.

A question and answer period followed the presentation.