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Are the value chains in the Caribbean choking development?

Keron Bascombe

 

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The Caribbean, a region inhabited by thousands, home to white sand beaches, undiscovered rain forests, friendly people and tremendous cultural diversity.

The reality of what lies beneath the golden sunsets and fertile black soils spanning the islands like a chain has more value than meets the eye.

Caribbean agriculture is historical and innovative, from the days of slavery to 21st century urban organic farming, the importance of producing quality food has always been top priority.

The traditional market places are littered with tropical fruits and vegetables, meat and fish. Vendors assemble at dawn, their voices like rosters at first light, attracting buyers and passersby.

Recently great emphasis has been placed on developing sustainable and profitable value chains in Caribbean agriculture, “but what really is this value”, I often ask myself?

They are many definitions for a value chain but the basic idea outlined by Michael Porter states “it is the process by which businesses receive raw materials, add value to the raw materials through various processes to create a finished product, and then sell that end product to customers.

“Now why is this important and how would it affect me?”

In the past, Caribbean produce has been largely exported unprocessed, poorly packaged and under-priced to developed countries. Primary producers are severely short changed when compared to middlemen and retailers.

As products develop and are branded, value is added through improved quality and presentation. Consumers then complain about the high prices associated with Caribbean products in large supermarket chains and niche retailers.

The importance of such an issue is based on the return per item for primary producers and the general lack of information flow.

However, in recent times value added programs and research have led to the creation of ‘final products’ which are export ready, capturing and keeping value within the region while simultaneously creating jobs and opportunities in manufacturing and processing.

The shift from fresh to packaged products has  long since begun and seems to be expanding, with ventures such as Grace Foods and Rainforest Seafood in addition to many small scale agro processors and brands. The new task is ensuring these products are sustainable and meet international standards.

Organizations such as the Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation (CTA), the Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI) and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), have all been tackling issues related to profitable value chains, value chain development and sustainable value adding in the Caribbean.

This is done through workshops, seminars and conferences such as the upcoming Caribbean Week of Agriculture (CWA). At this year’s CWA you can expect updates on advances in Caribbean value chain research and development.

Bringing forth value chains in the region has been a difficult task, however being branded ‘Caribbean’ is value enough, home to blue seas and white sand beaches, Reggae, Steel pan, Carnival and Calypso. – Caribbean people, Caribbean culture and Caribbean products.

Written by: Mikhail. B. Amsterdam

Edited by: Keron Bascombe

Photo Source: Pixabay.com

Copyright © 2016, CTA. Technical Centre for Rural and Agricultural Cooperation

CTA is a joint international institution of the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Group of States and the European Union (EU). CTA operates under the framework of the Cotonou Agreement and is funded by the EU.