collaborate to prosper media tracker...2. fish farming takes off in craig town 15 sunday gleaner,...

COLLABORATE TO PROSPER MEDIA TRACKER

1 Wednesday June 29

2011 1000 AM USAID All DGP2 contracts signed at a Ceremonial Signing session

2 Thursday August 18 2011

Electronic (television)

Television Smile Jamaica TVJ

3 Friday October 28 2011

Print (Magazine) Aquarium Fish International

4 Monday November 26 2012

Print (newspaper)

Book Launch - The CC hosted the launch of ldquoThe Competitiveness in Small Nations What Mattersrdquo on November 12 2012 a book written by Dr Densil A Williams of the University of the West Indies in collaboration with Dr Beverley Morgan Head of The Competitiveness Company The book was launched by Ambassador Dr Richard Bernal and keynote address was delivered by Hon Anthony Hylton Minister of Industry Investment and Commerce Also in attendance were two members of staff of USAID Jamaica Mr James Burrowes Director Office of Programme Policy and Management and Ms Claudette Anglin Agreement Office Representative A photograph and caption were covered in the Jamaica Observer

5 Sunday February 17 2013

Print (newspaper)

The Jamaica Observer carried an article on The Competitiveness Companyrsquos first shipment of Ornamental Fish The shipment was made on Tuesday February 12th

6 March - May 2013 Innovation for Exports Social Media ndash project placed on The CCrsquos website Launch of Innovation for Exports November 15th 2012

7 Sunday May 26 2013

Print (Gleaner)

Article by Avia Collinder Business Writer on ldquoFishing in the inner cityrdquo See link at httpjamaica-gleanercomgleaner20130526businessbusiness1html

8 Thursday May 30 2013

Television (Interview)

Everton Reece Field Supervisor for the Ornamental Fish component was interviewed on Television Jamaicarsquos morning programme Smile Jamaica on The link to the video is inserted below httpwwwtelevisionjamaicacomProgrammesSmileJamaicaaspxVideos26810

9 Thursday September 12 2013

Print (newspaper magazine)

Recognition of the Cluster and USAID Project - TCCrsquos Collaborate to Prosper project has been shortlisted by the Financial Timesrsquo Urban Ingenuity Awards for consideration as one of the best and most innovative urban-focused development projects in the world httpftcitiawardscom See page 26

10 Wednesday October 2 2013

Print (magazine) Article in First Look THE HANDING OVER OF QUALITY ASSURANCE MANUALS TO THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE OUTLINING MECHANISM AND STANDARDS FOR THE PRODUCTION AND TRADE OF ORNAMENTAL FISH IN JAMAICA Press Release issued by Point Global Marketing

11 Wednesday November 13 2013

Print (Gleaner)

Article by Christopher Serju on ldquoLocal Entrepreneurs to tap into ornamental fish marketrdquo See link at httpjamaica-gleanercomgleaner20131113newsnews3html

12 Thursday November 14 2013

Print (Observer)

Picture and caption entitled ldquoBoost for ornamental fish farmingrdquo showing USAID Mission Director handing over Ornamental Fish manuals to Minister of Agriculture Roger Clarke Others in picture were Chairman of TCC Dr Andre Gordon and Head of TCC Dr Beverley Morgan

13 Friday November 15 2013

Audio (radio)

Interview with Nicardo Neil Project Manager Ornamental Fish Independent Talk - Michelle McCrae-Smith(Mrs) Producer Independent Talk with Althea McKenzie Power 106FM 383-6126968-4880-3 email michellemccraepower106-jacom independenttalkpower106-jacom free live streaming wwwgo-jamaicacom Twitter indtalk Facebook Independent Talk on Power 106FM

14 Sunday November 24 2013

Print (Gleaner)

httpjamaica-gleanercomgleaner20131124newsnews92html

1 Fishing for $$$$ 2 Fish farming takes off in Craig Town

15 Sunday Gleaner November 24 2013

Print (Gleaner)

Article by Christopher Serju ldquoFishing for $$$$rdquo Inner City residents looking to make big bucks by exporting pet fishrdquo See link at httpjamaica-gleanercomgleaner20131124newsnews92html


Print (Gleaner)

Article by Christopher Serju Fish Farming takes off in Craig Townrdquo See link at httpjamaica-gleanercomgleaner20131124newsnews91html

17 Tuesday December 10 2013

Print and electronic

The final awards gala was held in New York Both regional and overall winners were announced and unfortunately the Urban Ornamental Fish Farming project was not among them Nonetheless the experience provided excellent publicity and networking opportunities for The Competitiveness Company In addition to a feature article in the Financial Times a video about the Ornamental Fish Project was also created and can be viewed here httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=OakqsnmPXgg

18 Saturday May 31

2014 Print (Gleaner)

Article by Christopher Serju ldquoFemale farmer breaking new groundrdquo httpjamaica-gleanercomgleaner20140531newsnews91html

19 Wednesday July 30

2014 Print (Jamaica Observer)

Article on Close Out Ceremony httpwwwjamaicaobservercomnewsJamaica-could-earn-big-money-from-ornamental-fish-exports---Commerce-Minister

20 Thursday July 31

2014 Jamaica Information Service Television Radio and Website

Television Radio and Website coverage on Hon Minister Hyltonrsquos presentation at Close Out Ceremony


Website Article ldquoJamaica to Tap into Lucrative Ornamental Fish Exports - See more at httpwwwthefishsitecomfishnews23796jamaica-to-tap-into-lucrative-ornamental-fish-exportssthashVbql4XCSdpuf

22 Thursday August 7

2014 Website Part of Keynote Address made by the Minister of Industry Investment amp

Commerce at the Close Out Ceremony of the C2P project on July 30 2014 announcing that the Export License For Ornamental Fish has been Removed httpwwwmiicgovjmNewsnews_export_license_ornamental_fishphp

23 Friday August 15

2014 Website Article on the Close Out Ceremony on the website of the Ministry of

Industry Investment amp Commerce httpwwwmiicgovjmNewsnews_ornamental_fish_lucrativephp

EXPORT OF ORNAMENTAL FISH

TELEVISION INTERVIEW The Field Supervisor for the Ornamental Fish component was interviewed on Television Jamaicarsquos morning programme Smile Jamaica on May 30 2013 The link to the video is inserted below httpwwwtelevisionjamaicacomProgrammesSmileJamaicaaspxVideos26810

BOOK LAUNCH The CC hosted the launch of lsquoThe Competitiveness in Small Nations What Mattersrsquo on November 12 2012 a book written by Dr Densil A Williams of the University of the West Indies in collaboration with Dr Beverley Morgan Head of The Competitiveness Company The book was launched by Ambassador Dr Richard Bernal and keynote address was delivered by Hon Anthony Hylton Minister of Industry Investment and Commerce Also in attendance were two members of staff of USAID Jamaica Mr James Burrowes Director Office of Programme Policy and Management and Ms Claudette Anglin Agreement Office Representative The following photograph and caption were covered in the Jamaica Observer of Monday November 26 2012

Authors Dr Beverley Morgan head of The Competitiveness Company (2nd left) and Dr Densil Williams (3rd left)

welcome two members of the Board of The Competitiveness Company Geoffrey Messado (1st left) and Dr Andre

Gordon (right) to the launch of their book

OFFICE OPENING The Competitiveness Company officially opened its offices on November 15th 2012 Ms Denise Herbol USAID Jamaica Mission Director was the Keynote Speaker She launched the Innovation for Exports component of the current USAID project and officially opened the offices While the event was covered by the media no coverage was placed The following picture and caption were submitted to media houses

Denise Herbol Mission Director USAID Jamaica cuts the ribbon signifying the opening of the new office of The

Competitiveness Company at 59 Hope Road She also launched the Innovation for Export project Others in picture

from left James Burrowes of USAID Dr Andre Gordon (2nd left) and Dr Beverley Morgan (3rd left) Chairman and Head

respectively of The Competitiveness Company

CITIFINANCIAL TIMES ARTICLE

Fishing in the inner city

Published Sunday | May 26 2013 2 Comments

A series of plastic tanks on the farm used to harvest fish for export-Contributed photos

These ornamental fish of the Gourami variety were grown by an urban inner-city farmer and are

ready for export

CONTRIBUTED photos A TCC field agent installs a backyard fish farm called a recycling aquaculture system by laying the pipes used to connect the tanks and circulate water in the system

Labelled boxes of ornamental fish are loaded on a trolley at Sangsters International Airport in Montego Bay to be shipped to Atlanta

Avia Collinder Business Writer

A new ornamental fish-farming venture has turned wannabe entrepreneurs in Kingstons inner

city into exporters

The project at full capacity has the potential to produce 24 million fish per year for export said

Nicardo Neil project manager for the Competitiveness Company Limited (TCC) a subsidiary

and consulting arm of the Jamaica Exporters Association

At capacity export sales could earn US$15 million (J$149m) - money that would flow directly

to the inner city or urban fish farmers according to Neil

Funded by The Gates Foundation through the Small Enterprise and Education Promotion

Network the fish venture is populated by 150 inner city farmers 27 per cent of whom are

female

The project has a commercial and social objective - to tap into the ornamental fish market and to

provide economic engagement primarily for males in Kingstons poverty-stricken core and other

economically depressed areas

Essentially its about creating jobs or income-generating activity while building a value chain

into a potentially lucrative export market

There is also room to grow given that US$15 million in fish exports represents a little over one

per cent of the North American market alone Neil told Sunday Business

The global export value of ornamental fish is more than US$400 million of which Jamaica

accounts for an amount so negligible it is statistically zero he said

More than 15 billion decorative fish are exported globally each year

North America alone accounts for over 30 per cent of this value and Jamaica is ideally placed

logistically to serve this market more competitively than Asian suppliers - given our proximity

The market potential is quite large given these factors Neil said

The TCC was established in 2002 and incorporated in 2005 The value of development projects

handled by TCC in calendar year 2012 amounted to US$1835 million

According to Neil these included a diverse array of projects from urban fish farming in the inner

city to the introduction of high-value specialty crops in rural communities

TCC focuses its efforts on executing innovative export-driven business ideas and women-

focused agricultural projects that seek to improve the productivity and competitiveness of

female-led agricultural households

All its projects are ongoing multi-year initiatives the project manager said

Those in the pipeline for 2013 will cost US$180000 to execute They include work with female

honeybee farmers in rural communities and technical assistance to urban community-based

organisations

While there are several other projects in the pipeline we do not comment on upcoming projects

until contracts have been signed Neil said

economic value chains

Funding was secured from the Gates Foundation in April 2011 for the ornamental fish venture

after TCC responded to a global call from the Gates Foundation for projects that sought to

develop competitive urban-focused economic value chains

We wrote the Urban Ornamental Fish project in response to that call From several hundred

applicants all over the world we were among only four NGOs selected We were also the only

NGO from this hemisphere as the other three were located in Kenya India and Indonesia

respectively Neil said

The Jamaican project will end in March 2014 at which time participants are expected to manage

the production and export process largely by themselves - although the TCC is currently seeking

additional funding to continue with technical assistance

The first export batch of fish was shipped in January 2013 To date 6500 fish have been sent to

two markets in the United States with other orders pending

Neil notes that at full capacity each farmer is expected to grow up to 12000 fish over a

production cycle of two to three months

The programme is meant to provide a kick-start and help to develop the value chain in terms of

supply of fish food exporting and support services In time they will be expected to manage the

business on their own he said

By the end of the year we are projecting to export at least 50000 fish and by 2014 double that

number

TCC is collaborating with the Government to put a quality assurance system in place while

working simultaneously on the continued development of markets Neil said

What we are building now is the production of the fish fry (babies) and - we are also working

on building the trust of buyers Neil said

Ornamental fish are valued as a hobby There are thousands of ornamental fish varieties which

range in price from US10 cents each for the Rosy Barb to US$2 each for the much sought-after

Tiger Oscar The average price across the range is US60 cents per fish

Price depends on the variety in demand and the difficulty in how they are bred and the look

The Tiger Oscar is in high demand for its colour and shape said Neil

The project has a target production of 200000 fish per month The primary input costs are fish

feed and electricity

The urban farmers have been introduced to a low-energy 130-watt water pump which needs to

run for 24 hours each day

The energy cost over the production period is about J$3500 per month for the farm The more

fish the greater the economies of scale Feed is also a cost The typical production cost of a fish

from farm to export is between US12 cents and US18 cents depending on the type of fish This is

the reason why we target high-end fish which sell for US40 cents and more Neil said

Under the urban fish project the farms are organised into clusters Each cluster is located in a

community and leadership of the venture is decided from within

collaborating

We train them in fish farming managing the farm as a business and in collaborating together as

a group Neil said

The operations of TCC are generally financed through a combination of development projects

and fees earned from consulting and training

Its track record includes a project in Guys Hill St Catherine which sought to improve the

productivity competitiveness and profitability of almost 100 former banana producing farmers

by introducing new crops and farming methods including greenhouses Funding came from the

EU Banana Support Programme

That project ended in November 2011 Today those farmers are earning more than eight times

what they earned on average before the project - J$17m now versus J$2m before said the

project manager

In addition they are now a more closely knit group of producers and rely on each other for

support That is what we mean by double- bottom-line Neil said

businessgleanerjmcom

Home

THE HANDING OVER OF QUALITY ASSURANCE MANUALS TO THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE OUTLINING MECHANISM AND STANDARDS FOR THE PRODUCTION AND TRADE OF ORNAMENTAL FISH IN JAMAICA

Point Global Marketing | 2013-10-02 000000

Some organizations including the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and Ornamental Fish International (OFI)

estimate that up to 15 billion ornamental fish are exported each year with a trade value near or above US$400

million The vast majority of these pet fish are sent either to North America or Europe where their value tends to

double or even triple contributing to an aquarium retail industry valued at well over US$6 billion This is the market

for which TCC has worked diligently to engage urban youth and the unemployed where success could be

transformational not only for them but for the country Consider that the very achievable target of 1 share of global

trade would make pet fish the countrys third most valuable agricultural export behind only sugar and coffee

A significant component to developing the sector and achieving that goal is the development of an effective and

internationally acceptable mechanism for quality assurance and traceability Much like agricultural export crops

which must meet HACCP standards to access export markets due to food safety concerns so must ornamental fish

meet health standards to access export markets due to bio-security concerns More than ever markets are

demanding that the production of pet fish for export be monitored for best practice bio-security standards This is

done for animal welfare purposes and critically to prevent the transference of fish borne diseases between

countries

While implementing the Collaborate to Prosper project TCC has engaged closely with the relevant local competent

authorities (VSD and Aquaculture Branch) Through these engagements the need for such a system was highlighted

by the VSD as vital to the future expansion of the industry In addition to meeting market standards a quality

assurance mechanism would aid in making the export process smoother for compliant exporters and farmers With

this guidance TCC embarked on the development of the system engaging both agencies throughout the entire

process to ensure that both international and local standards are met The manuals will be made available to farmers

exporters and importers of fish who enrol in JOFQAP and the programme will be administered by TCC in

collaboration with the VSD and Aquaculture Branch

In addition to JOFQAP TCC will also be launching a set of Ornamental Fish farming technical manuals Given the

increased local interest in ornamental fish farming there is a growing need for good technical information on topics

such as breeding nutrition health production and exporting of fish These manuals pull together existing literature

and practical experience on all of these topics in one comprehensive series and are meant for the general public

hobbyists or commercial farmers and exporters The three (3) Technical Manuals include

Manual 1 - Farm Practices

The first in The Competitiveness Companys series of technical manuals on commercial ornamental fish farming

deals with breeding production and general best practice for good fish farm management This instructional

document uses simplified descriptions graphic and pictorial illustrations offering insights to current and prospective

fish farmers on issues ranging from the breeding patterns of different species the variety of production methods fish

nutrition and bio-security The manual also provides helpful tables and general guidelines on daily practices that will

be useful to farmers

Manual 2 - Packing and Exports

The second in The Competitiveness Companys series of technical manuals on commercial ornamental fish farming

provides knowledge and information on best practice steps in packing transporting and shipping ornamental fish The

manual includes marketing information and instructional information using narratives graphical and pictorial

illustrations Topics include quarantining conditioning and packing density recommendations

Manual 3 - Fish Health and Troubleshooting

The third in The Competitiveness Companys series of technical manuals on commercial ornamental fish farming

deals with health and disease issues related to breeding and growing ornamental fish Increasingly strict import

market requirements and regulations make it essential that farmers are knowledgeable in diagnosing and treating fish

health issues where possible and recognizing more serious issues that require veterinary attention The objective is

to minimize mortality disease and the introduction of any pathogens onto the farms This manual provides

recommendations to assist farmers to maintain a healthy stock of fish

The Competitiveness Company (TCC) since inception in 2005 has partnered with the United States Agency for

International Development (USAID) and has collaborated with over thirty international regional and local agencies to

create and implement projects that increase and enhance the economic status and welfare of citizens and firms and

move exports up the value chain while training and building the human capital of hundreds of Jamaicans

The Handing Over Ceremony will take place on Tuesday October 8th at 1000 am in the Conference Room of the

Ministry of Agriculture amp Fisheries Ms Denise Herbol Mission Director of USAID will hand over the manuals to the

Minister of Agriculture amp Fisheries Hon Roger Clarke MP

Contact

The Competitiveness Company

59 Hope Road Kingston 6

Telephone (876) 927-8981 (876) 978-7481

e-mail cccompetegmailcom

Posted By Javette Nixon

Company Name Point Global Marketing

Website Website httpwwwthecompetitivenesscompanycom

Company Address Suite 22 Technology Innovative Centre UTECH 237 Old hope Road

Source httpgo-jamaicacompressreleaseitemphpid=2514

Fishing for $$$$

Published Sunday | November 24 2013

Heather Schildge (left) USAIDs regional legal adviser and Judy Webb regional contracting

officer at USAID get an update about the urban ornamental fish farming project from Nicardo

Neil of The Competitiveness Company during a visit to a fish farm in Craig Town last

Thursday

Inner-city residents looking to make big bucks by exporting pet fish

Christopher Serju Sunday Gleaner Writer

Jamaicans have for years reared pet fish as a hobby enjoying as an added benefit therapeutic

impact associated with caring for these small aquatic creatures

But now The Competitiveness Company a non-government organisation based in the Corporate

Area under its Collaborate to Prosper project funded by the United States Agency for

International Development (USAID) is revolutionising the exotic ornamental fish trade in the

inner city

Under the Ornamental Fish Farming Project started in 2010 some 150 young men and women in

more than 50 inner-city communities have been trained in various aspects of production and

trade of these aquatic species

On a visit to the south St Andrew community of Craig Town in western Kingston last Thursday

members of a USAID team got a first-hand view of how Jamaicans are gearing to tap into the

global trade in ornamental fish some 15 billion of which are sold each year with a trade value

of US$400 million

Most of these pet fish are being bred for export to North America and Europe a market for

which the Jamaicans are working to supply some 12 million fish

And while this amount represents just about one per cent of global demand if this target is

achieved it would make ornamental fish the countrys third most valuable agricultural foreign

exchange earner behind sugar and coffee

The ornamental fish component of the Collaborate to Prosper project seeks to develop an

effective and profitable export sector involving urban fish farmers from the inner-city

communities

SUSTAINABLE INCOME

The aim is to provide sustainable and meaningful income-generating opportunities leading to

improved standards of living for this target group

The Craig Town project provided some insight into just how well the concept has caught on

with the duo of Anthony Bennett and Marcelino Blackburn having established a major operation

at 18 Jamaica Street

Nordia Henry is hooked on a good thing - a fish farm at the front of her house at 19 Paisley

Road

They are just two examples of the breed of entrepreneurs who are making their mark in this

niche market which is largely untapped

With some thirty 200-gallon capacity vats each capable of holding 2000 fish Bennett and

Blackburn are sitting on a potentially lucrative business venture for which they are putting in the

hard work

Having first being trained for two weeks in the theoretical and practical aspects they are among

the fish farmers who have benefited from the installation of more than 100 recycling aquaculture

systems in the inner city

Following start-up operations the activities of the urban fish farmers are monitored by The

Competitiveness Company and the veterinary division of the Ministry of Agriculture and

Fisheries which provides ongoing technical assistance inspecting and monitoring the operations

of the individuals

Chief veterinary officer Dr Osbil Watson explains the role of the veterinary division in the

process

We have to visit them to ensure that they comply with certain guidelines in terms of hygiene

and health because these ornamental fish can have parasites with diseases

For this reason we do random sampling and tests to ensure that they are in fact disease-free

and also to ensure that farmers meet the international guidelines as it relates to exporting of these

aquatic species Watson told The Sunday Gleaner

We have to attest to the fact that the fish were bred under hygienic conditions free from

diseases and parasites as well as good practices must be adhered to and also certify to the status

of the country in general in relation to aquatic animal health All of that is necessary for

certification

Jamaica now exports exotic ornamental fish to the United States Canada and the United

Kingdom


Fish farming takes off in Craig Town


Fish farmer Anthony Bennett repairing an aquarium

For some 20 years Anthony Bennett of Craig Town south St Andrew has reared pet fish as a

hobby and so three years ago when The Competitiveness Company sought to introduce

ornamental fish farming in the community he was one of the first persons to join up

Having leased a section of land from family members he has partnered with Marcelino

Blackburn to breed a range of exotic ornamental fish for the export trade

We want to build this farm where we can go into export Everyone that come inside this area

they love it and cannot believe what is going on down here that we are doing so well to the

amount of fish that is currently on the farm Bennett shared

His extensive knowledge is obvious as he fields questions during a recent visit by a team

comprising representatives of the United States Agency for International Development the

agency which funds the project and employees of The Competitiveness Company which is the

implementing entity

Right now we are specialising in five varieties of fish because it is a numbers game for export

and when you try to specialise in too many varieties you cannot make those numbers because

you going to have little of every fish

The market dont ask for little of every fish it asks for a large number of any fish that you are

exporting exotic ones like rosy barb tiger barb you have some convict cichlids and you have

the angelfish Basically you can just stick to angel because you have so much variety and that is

one of the fish that sells itself he explained

MAKING STUDY PROGRESS

Since venturing into the exotic ornamental fish trade some two years ago Nordia Henry has been

making steady progress having 580 angel and 200 gourami on show

After completing the training course the mother of two has devoted a lot of time to the new

venture which she admits is working out all right

I had a shop first and I scrap it and put up the fish house and still have time to do me little

juggling - sell me orange and banana she shared

Henrys father Winston expressed delight at the entrepreneurial insight she has acquired since

getting involved in fish farming

It is a lot of work but she get a lot of knowledge she is motivated and interested in something

valuable he offered

Meanwhile Dr Beverley Morgan head of The Competitiveness Company disclosed that the

benefits to participants extend well beyond what is taught in the classrooms

She noted that with many of the participants from communities aligned to either the Jamaica

Labour Party or Peoples National Party some amount of tension and suspicion tends to

permeate the initial meetings

However as the sessions progress there is an eventual thawing with the working relationship

often leading to friendship

According to Morgan it is the sense of empowerment derived from the realisation that they are

in fact bona fide business people contributing to the countrys foreign-exchange earnings from

activities within their own communities often their own yards that really provides a fillip for

their self-esteem

All this from a simple activity so many people have for so many years taken for granted and

treated as a hobby - rearing pet fish

- CS


Local entrepreneurs to tap into ornamental

fish market

Published Wednesday | November 13 2013

Roger Clarke

Christopher Serju Gleaner Writer

LOCAL ENTREPRENEURS are preparing to tap into the multimillion-dollar global

market for ornamental fish under a project which has seen some 150 inner-city youth and

women trained in urban ornamental fish farming speciality crops and the innovation for

exports initiative

This is being done under the United States Agency for International Development-funded

Development Grants Programme

It is estimated that up to 15 billion ornamental fish are exported each year worldwide with a

trade value near or above US$400 million The majority of these ornamental fish are sent either

to North America or Europe Their value tends to double or even triple contributing to an

aquarium retail industry valued at well over US$6 billion

The ornamental fish component of the project which is being implemented by The

Competitiveness Company seeks to develop an effective and profitable ornamental fish sector in

Jamaica involving young urban fish farmers from the inner cities

The objective is to introduce sustainable and meaningful income-generating opportunities with

the aim of improving standards of living as well as minimising the target groups attraction to

gangs

collaboration

Under the programme which is conducted in collaboration with the Veterinary and Fisheries

divisions of the agriculture ministry The Competitiveness Company advises farmers on the

types of fish to grow and markets them overseas Farmers are paid after the fish have been

certified healthy and survive transportation overseas with market linkages already established in

Atlanta and Miami in the United States Montreal Canada and the United Kingdom

The company also offers technical assistance in the form of training manuals farm set-up advice

and visits A team of technical field staff also provides ongoing monitoring and hands-on support

to farmers in the project

christopherserjugleanerjmcom


The Daily Observer Thursday November 14 2013

Caption Boost for ornamental fish farming Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries Roger Clarke (second right) is presented with a set of manuals on ldquoGood Practices for Ornamental Fishrdquo from Denise Herbol mission director of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) at a ceremony at the ministry on Tuesday The manual was developed by The Competitiveness Company (TCC) with funding from the USAID Others sharing the moment are Dr Beverly Morgan head of the TCC and Chairman Dr Andre Gordon Some 150 inner-city youth have been trained in ornamental fish farming under a project being implemented by the TCC with the assistance of the USAID under its Development Grant Programme (PHOTO MICHAEL GORDON) OVERSEAS MEDIA Submitted to USAID April 17 2014 for publication in USAID communication media

Collaborate to Prosper ndash made possible with the support of the American People and The Competitiveness Company

FISHING TO PROSPERITY

In picture above a beneficiary farmer Marcelino Blackburn in Jones Town an inner city community in

Kingston describes his farm and talks about participation in the USAID DGP2 funded Collaborate to

Prosper project with interested visitors from the Canadian Embassy and IDB during a TCC farm tour The

tour which took place on Monday April 14th included the Mayor of Kingston amp St Andrew Councillor

Angella Brown-Burke (in royal blue blouse) The visitors were impressed with the organization and

efficiency of his farm and the knowledge which he had gained as part of the C2P training programme

Marcelino is part of a group of three farmers who have decided to collaborate The building in the

background was set up by them as a breeding facility to provide themselves with their own young fish

(fries) The group also supplies other farmers in the community with the fries The Canadians are

examining the possibility of providing further funding to continue the work begun under the Collaborate

to Prosper project

DAILY GLEANER

Female farmer breaking new ground

Published Saturday | May 31 2014 1 Comment

St Ann farmer Nadine Harvey Brown speaks about some of the West Indian Red Peppers she

harvested for a processor - Photos by Christopher Serju


The hours are long and the work is hard but in the evenings relaxing on the verandah of her

house situated atop a hill in Middlesex St Ann Nadine Harvey Brown can take comfort in her

achievements as a farmer

This house is out of farming and I also bought a piece of land out of farming so farming is

good she proudly shared during a recent visit to her residence which is accessible only by foot

During construction of the concrete two-bedroom dwelling Harvey Brown helped to carry

material such as sand gravel and cement on her head

This was made possible through the returns from her farming activities which range from

rearing chickens and goats to cultivating crops such as Irish and sweet potatoes yam cabbage

pumpkin dasheen pak choi and a whole lot of different stuff she explained

Registered with the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) this mother of two

adult children has been farming for the past 12 years after giving up her housekeeping job at a

guest house in Ocho Rios some 22 miles from where she lives With most of the money earned

going back into bus fare and lunch money the St Ann resident who had been raised around

farming one day decide to turn to the soil for her livelihood

I came home and started to do a little backyard farming and start to sell to higglers in the

community and I realise that I can make money from farming and I decide to go on a bigger

scale she explained Persistence has paid off for this determined woman who two years ago

qualified to participate in a number of programmes for rural women funded by the United States

Agency for International Development (USAID) and implemented by The Competitiveness

Company out of Kingston

Things have really picked up since then as a result of the assistance in training equipment and

marketing she received under the USAID umbrella with The Competitiveness Company guiding

the process

Harvey Brown explained They assist us a lot with many different things like pumps and we get

training we get fertilisers They really help us by giving us a big start so that we can be more

progressive in our farming and to have better yields

Drought used to affect us but from getting the pump from the USAID and tanks the drip

system the irrigation system now we have water and dont have any drought We are so blessed

and are grateful for the USAID They just want us to be progressive and the training that we get

will help us to excel to have better yields and Im producing better and more consistent supply

because even in drought you can still plant because you have the water so you dont have to

worry about anything

However to reap the benefits one must be prepared to put in the really hard work which for this

farmer starts at 430 each morning when she responds to the alarm clock Then she gets up does

housework and prepares breakfast before heading out to any of the three sites where she farms

Depending on the time of year activities can range from supervising the harvesting of crops soil

preparation helping to plant moving produce or all of these It is back-bending and physically

demanding work that Harvey Brown engages in every day even Sunday she admitted except

when there is an emergency

Everything I gain is out of farming Ive been doing this of over 12 years the 36-year old

proudly shared

It has not been an easy road but the setbacks have not deterred the daughter of the soil who has

learnt to take the good with the bad

Sometimes we produce and the amount of money that you spend to the price that you get

Sometimes it really kind of struggling It really kinda hard to make back you money sometimes

she admitted

Nadine Harvey Brown is one proud rural woman committed to uplifting herself by tilling the

soil as long as good health prevails

ruralgleanerjmcom


clirey

There is an optimistic person who see the glass as half full as opposed to half emptyway to go

Nadine

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NEWS ITEM

2014-08-15

JAMAICA TO TAP INTO LUCRATIVE ORNAMENTAL FISH EXPORTS

Closing out Ceremony for Collaborate to Prosper Project

Minister of Industry Investment and Commerce Hon Anthony Hylton (centre) conversing with mission director United States

Agency for International Development (USAID) Denise Herbol (left) at the closing out ceremony for the US$1 million Collaborate

to Prosper Project held at the Jamaica Exportersrsquo Association (JEA) headquarters in Kingston on July 30 2014 Also in photo is

head of The Competiveness Company Dr Beverley Morgan (right)

Minister of Industry Investment and Commerce Hon Anthony Hylton says the ornamental fish export

industry is poised for growth and has the potential to earn the country well-needed foreign exchange

ldquoI do believe the ornamental fish industry can become for Jamaica what flowers have become for

Colombiardquo he stated while addressing the close out ceremony for the Collaborate to Prosper Project

at the Jamaica Exportersrsquo Association (JEA) headquarters in Kingston on July 30

The cut flower industry has become a major contributor to the Colombian economy and is now the

nationrsquos leading non-traditional export and fourth largest earner of foreign exchange after coffee

petroleum and bananas

Mr Hylton argued that by tapping into the lucrative ornamental fish export market which is valued at

some US$400 million Jamaica could see similar success

He added that he has pledged $1 million from the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) to The

Competiveness Company (TCC) to support the start-up and strengthening of ornamental fish operations

within his Western St Andrew constituency

ldquoIt is expected that this effort will contribute towards micro enterprise development not just in my

constituency but by extension the countryrdquo he stated

The Industry Minister said that to develop the sector it is important that Jamaica has a consistent

supply of competitively priced fish ldquoThis means developing a cadre of breeders with sufficient

capacity to stock the farms and low input costs including the cost of energyrdquo he noted

Additionally he said the sector needs a central export facility that can consolidate production and

provide the quality control volume and packing efficiency required for large scale commercial export

The Minister pointed out that the country also needs to address other issues such as management of

disease and traceability which involves providing a transparent and credible system for managing

quality preventing disease and tracing origin

Head of TCC Dr Beverley Morgan said the development of ornamental fish farming is just one

component of the Collaborate to Prosper Project which has seen hundreds of Jamaicans gaining

financial security through entrepreneurship

The three-year programme which was funded by the United States Agency for International

Development (USAID) provided for the establishment of some 200 ornamental fish farms in 57 inner

city communities as well as the training of 300 fish farmers

Dr Morgan also noted that the TCC partnered with local farmers to plant some 50 acres of special

crops including mint rosemary moringa and lemon grass for the tea export market

ldquoWe didnrsquot want to be planting things that everybody else was growing and we didnrsquot want to be

planting things that when the project ended the farmers would not be able to continue growing and

supplying the marketsrdquo she noted

The project also enabled the training of 96 persons in new farming technologies 70 per cent of whom

were women

For her part Mission Director USAID Denise Herbol said she is pleased with the successes of the

initiative

She noted that the majority of the targets set under the project were achieved with several being

surpassed including meeting the exhaustive and stringent requirements to open up the Canadian

market for imports of ornamental fish from Jamaica

ldquoAdditionally TCC continues to expand their successful programmes beyond the shores of Jamaica and

with partnerships from the international community including the World Bank TCC will look to

establish an additional 20 farms and train farmers in five communitiesrdquo Dr Morgan stated

Source JIS

FISH SITE

News

Jamaica to Tap into Lucrative Ornamental Fish Exports 07 August 2014

JAMAICA - The Minister of Industry Investment and Commerce Anthony Hylton says the

ornamental fish export industry is poised for growth and has the potential to earn the

country well-needed foreign exchange


Colombiardquo he stated while addressing the close out ceremony for the Collaborate to Prosper

Project at the Jamaica Exportersrsquo Association (JEA) headquarters in Kingston on July 30






He informed that he has pledged $1 million from the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) to The

Competiveness Company (TCC) to support the start-up and strengthening of ornamental fish

operations within his Western St Andrew constituency







provide the quality control volume and packing efficiency required for large scale commercial

export

The Minister pointed out that the country also needs to address other issues such as management

of disease and traceability which involves providing a transparent and credible system for

managing quality preventing disease and tracing origin





Development (USAID) provided for the establishment of some 200 ornamental fish farms in 57

inner city communities as well as the training of 300 fish farmers

Dr Morgan also informed that the TCC partnered with local farmers to plant some 50 acres of

speciality crops including mint rosemary moringa and lemon grass for the tea export market



supplying the marketsrdquo she informed

The project also enabled the training of 96 persons in new farming technologies 70 per cent of

whom were women


initiative

She noted that the majority of the targets set under the project were achieved with several



Another significant achievement under the programme is that the TCC and the Veterinary Services

Division of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries are moving ahead to complete negotiations to

upgrade and occupy a building that is owned by the Ministry at the Norman Manley International

Airport

The building which meets and exceeds international standards for bio-security will become a site

for ornamental fish exports in Jamaica

ldquoAdditionally TCC continues to expand their successful programmes beyond the shores of Jamaica

and with partnerships from the international community including the World Bank TCC will look to

establish an additional 20 farms and train farmers in five communitiesrdquo she informed

TheFishSite News Desk Markets and Economics Carps Cyprinids Government and Regulatory General Aquaculture

13 Friday November 15 2013

Audio (radio)

Interview with Nicardo Neil Project Manager Ornamental Fish Independent Talk - Michelle McCrae-Smith(Mrs) Producer Independent Talk with Althea McKenzie Power 106FM 383-6126968-4880-3 email michellemccraepower106-jacom independenttalkpower106-jacom free live streaming wwwgo-jamaicacom Twitter indtalk Facebook Independent Talk on Power 106FM

14 Sunday November 24 2013

Print (Gleaner)


1 Fishing for $$$$ 2 Fish farming takes off in Craig Town


Print (Gleaner)

Article by Christopher Serju ldquoFishing for $$$$rdquo Inner City residents looking to make big bucks by exporting pet fishrdquo See link at httpjamaica-gleanercomgleaner20131124newsnews92html


Print (Gleaner)

Article by Christopher Serju Fish Farming takes off in Craig Townrdquo See link at httpjamaica-gleanercomgleaner20131124newsnews91html

17 Tuesday December 10 2013

Print and electronic

The final awards gala was held in New York Both regional and overall winners were announced and unfortunately the Urban Ornamental Fish Farming project was not among them Nonetheless the experience provided excellent publicity and networking opportunities for The Competitiveness Company In addition to a feature article in the Financial Times a video about the Ornamental Fish Project was also created and can be viewed here httpwwwyoutubecomwatchv=OakqsnmPXgg

18 Saturday May 31

2014 Print (Gleaner)

Article by Christopher Serju ldquoFemale farmer breaking new groundrdquo httpjamaica-gleanercomgleaner20140531newsnews91html

19 Wednesday July 30

2014 Print (Jamaica Observer)

Article on Close Out Ceremony httpwwwjamaicaobservercomnewsJamaica-could-earn-big-money-from-ornamental-fish-exports---Commerce-Minister

20 Thursday July 31

2014 Jamaica Information Service Television Radio and Website

Television Radio and Website coverage on Hon Minister Hyltonrsquos presentation at Close Out Ceremony


Website Article ldquoJamaica to Tap into Lucrative Ornamental Fish Exports - See more at httpwwwthefishsitecomfishnews23796jamaica-to-tap-into-lucrative-ornamental-fish-exportssthashVbql4XCSdpuf

22 Thursday August 7

2014 Website Part of Keynote Address made by the Minister of Industry Investment amp

Commerce at the Close Out Ceremony of the C2P project on July 30 2014 announcing that the Export License For Ornamental Fish has been Removed httpwwwmiicgovjmNewsnews_export_license_ornamental_fishphp

23 Friday August 15

2014 Website Article on the Close Out Ceremony on the website of the Ministry of

Industry Investment amp Commerce httpwwwmiicgovjmNewsnews_ornamental_fish_lucrativephp

















ready for export





city into exporters








female
























organisations






















number




















collaborating


a group Neil said









project manager




Home
















countries








































Contact



Telephone (876) 927-8981 (876) 978-7481







Fishing for $$$$





Thursday








inner city







of US$400 million








communities

SUSTAINABLE INCOME







Road





hard work







of the individuals


process









certification


Kingdom
















implementing entity


















valuable he offered











their self-esteem



- CS



fish market


Roger Clarke





exports initiative












gangs

collaboration

























to Prosper project

DAILY GLEANER





























the process


















proudly shared





she admitted



ruralgleanerjmcom


clirey


Nadine

Home |


NEWS ITEM

2014-08-15










































were women


initiative







Source JIS

FISH SITE

News























export
















whom were women


initiative







Airport























ready for export





city into exporters








female
























organisations






















number




















collaborating


a group Neil said









project manager




Home
















countries








































Contact



Telephone (876) 927-8981 (876) 978-7481







Fishing for $$$$





Thursday








inner city







of US$400 million








communities

SUSTAINABLE INCOME







Road





hard work







of the individuals


process









certification


Kingdom
















implementing entity


















valuable he offered











their self-esteem



- CS



fish market


Roger Clarke





exports initiative












gangs

collaboration

























to Prosper project

DAILY GLEANER





























the process


















proudly shared





she admitted



ruralgleanerjmcom


clirey


Nadine

Home |


NEWS ITEM

2014-08-15










































were women


initiative







Source JIS

FISH SITE

News























export
















whom were women


initiative







Airport











city into exporters








female
























organisations






















number




















collaborating


a group Neil said









project manager




Home
















countries








































Contact



Telephone (876) 927-8981 (876) 978-7481







Fishing for $$$$





Thursday








inner city







of US$400 million








communities

SUSTAINABLE INCOME







Road





hard work







of the individuals


process









certification


Kingdom
















implementing entity


















valuable he offered











their self-esteem



- CS



fish market


Roger Clarke





exports initiative












gangs

collaboration

























to Prosper project

DAILY GLEANER





























the process


















proudly shared





she admitted



ruralgleanerjmcom


clirey


Nadine

Home |


NEWS ITEM

2014-08-15










































were women


initiative







Source JIS

FISH SITE

News























export
















whom were women


initiative







Airport























organisations






















number




















collaborating


a group Neil said









project manager




Home
















countries








































Contact



Telephone (876) 927-8981 (876) 978-7481







Fishing for $$$$





Thursday








inner city







of US$400 million








communities

SUSTAINABLE INCOME







Road





hard work







of the individuals


process









certification


Kingdom
















implementing entity


















valuable he offered











their self-esteem



- CS



fish market


Roger Clarke





exports initiative












gangs

collaboration

























to Prosper project

DAILY GLEANER





























the process


















proudly shared





she admitted



ruralgleanerjmcom


clirey


Nadine

Home |


NEWS ITEM

2014-08-15










































were women


initiative







Source JIS

FISH SITE

News























export
















whom were women


initiative







Airport













number




















collaborating


a group Neil said









project manager




Home
















countries








































Contact



Telephone (876) 927-8981 (876) 978-7481







Fishing for $$$$





Thursday








inner city







of US$400 million








communities

SUSTAINABLE INCOME







Road





hard work







of the individuals


process









certification


Kingdom
















implementing entity


















valuable he offered











their self-esteem



- CS



fish market


Roger Clarke





exports initiative












gangs

collaboration

























to Prosper project

DAILY GLEANER





























the process


















proudly shared





she admitted



ruralgleanerjmcom


clirey


Nadine

Home |


NEWS ITEM

2014-08-15










































were women


initiative







Source JIS

FISH SITE

News























export
















whom were women


initiative







Airport












project manager




Home
















countries








































Contact



Telephone (876) 927-8981 (876) 978-7481







Fishing for $$$$





Thursday








inner city







of US$400 million








communities

SUSTAINABLE INCOME







Road





hard work







of the individuals


process









certification


Kingdom
















implementing entity


















valuable he offered











their self-esteem



- CS



fish market


Roger Clarke





exports initiative












gangs

collaboration

























to Prosper project

DAILY GLEANER





























the process


















proudly shared





she admitted



ruralgleanerjmcom


clirey


Nadine

Home |


NEWS ITEM

2014-08-15










































were women


initiative







Source JIS

FISH SITE

News























export
















whom were women


initiative







Airport









countries








































Contact



Telephone (876) 927-8981 (876) 978-7481







Fishing for $$$$





Thursday








inner city







of US$400 million








communities

SUSTAINABLE INCOME







Road





hard work







of the individuals


process









certification


Kingdom
















implementing entity


















valuable he offered











their self-esteem



- CS



fish market


Roger Clarke





exports initiative












gangs

collaboration

























to Prosper project

DAILY GLEANER





























the process


















proudly shared





she admitted



ruralgleanerjmcom


clirey


Nadine

Home |


NEWS ITEM

2014-08-15










































were women


initiative







Source JIS

FISH SITE

News























export
















whom were women


initiative







Airport

















Contact



Telephone (876) 927-8981 (876) 978-7481







Fishing for $$$$





Thursday








inner city







of US$400 million








communities

SUSTAINABLE INCOME







Road





hard work







of the individuals


process









certification


Kingdom
















implementing entity


















valuable he offered











their self-esteem



- CS



fish market


Roger Clarke





exports initiative












gangs

collaboration

























to Prosper project

DAILY GLEANER





























the process


















proudly shared





she admitted



ruralgleanerjmcom


clirey


Nadine

Home |


NEWS ITEM

2014-08-15










































were women


initiative







Source JIS

FISH SITE

News























export
















whom were women


initiative







Airport







Fishing for $$$$





Thursday








inner city







of US$400 million








communities

SUSTAINABLE INCOME







Road





hard work







of the individuals


process









certification


Kingdom
















implementing entity


















valuable he offered











their self-esteem



- CS



fish market


Roger Clarke





exports initiative












gangs

collaboration

























to Prosper project

DAILY GLEANER





























the process


















proudly shared





she admitted



ruralgleanerjmcom


clirey


Nadine

Home |


NEWS ITEM

2014-08-15










































were women


initiative







Source JIS

FISH SITE

News























export
















whom were women


initiative







Airport








of US$400 million








communities

SUSTAINABLE INCOME







Road





hard work







of the individuals


process









certification


Kingdom
















implementing entity


















valuable he offered











their self-esteem



- CS



fish market


Roger Clarke





exports initiative












gangs

collaboration

























to Prosper project

DAILY GLEANER





























the process


















proudly shared





she admitted



ruralgleanerjmcom


clirey


Nadine

Home |


NEWS ITEM

2014-08-15










































were women


initiative







Source JIS

FISH SITE

News























export
















whom were women


initiative







Airport















certification


Kingdom
















implementing entity


















valuable he offered











their self-esteem



- CS



fish market


Roger Clarke





exports initiative












gangs

collaboration

























to Prosper project

DAILY GLEANER





























the process


















proudly shared





she admitted



ruralgleanerjmcom


clirey


Nadine

Home |


NEWS ITEM

2014-08-15










































were women


initiative







Source JIS

FISH SITE

News























export
















whom were women


initiative







Airport




















implementing entity


















valuable he offered











their self-esteem



- CS



fish market


Roger Clarke





exports initiative












gangs

collaboration

























to Prosper project

DAILY GLEANER





























the process


















proudly shared





she admitted



ruralgleanerjmcom


clirey


Nadine

Home |


NEWS ITEM

2014-08-15










































were women


initiative







Source JIS

FISH SITE

News























export
















whom were women


initiative







Airport
















valuable he offered











their self-esteem



- CS



fish market


Roger Clarke





exports initiative












gangs

collaboration

























to Prosper project

DAILY GLEANER





























the process


















proudly shared





she admitted



ruralgleanerjmcom


clirey


Nadine

Home |


NEWS ITEM

2014-08-15










































were women


initiative







Source JIS

FISH SITE

News























export
















whom were women


initiative







Airport








Roger Clarke





exports initiative












gangs

collaboration

























to Prosper project

DAILY GLEANER





























the process


















proudly shared





she admitted



ruralgleanerjmcom


clirey


Nadine

Home |


NEWS ITEM

2014-08-15










































were women


initiative







Source JIS

FISH SITE

News























export
















whom were women


initiative







Airport


























to Prosper project

DAILY GLEANER





























the process


















proudly shared





she admitted



ruralgleanerjmcom


clirey


Nadine

Home |


NEWS ITEM

2014-08-15










































were women


initiative







Source JIS

FISH SITE

News























export
















whom were women


initiative







Airport



































the process


















proudly shared





she admitted



ruralgleanerjmcom


clirey


Nadine

Home |


NEWS ITEM

2014-08-15










































were women


initiative







Source JIS

FISH SITE

News























export
















whom were women


initiative







Airport







clirey


Nadine

Home |


NEWS ITEM

2014-08-15










































were women


initiative







Source JIS

FISH SITE

News























export
















whom were women


initiative







Airport


































were women


initiative







Source JIS

FISH SITE

News























export
















whom were women


initiative







Airport










Source JIS

FISH SITE

News























export
















whom were women


initiative







Airport









export
















whom were women


initiative







Airport







collaborate to prosper media tracker...2. fish farming takes off in craig town 15 sunday gleaner,...

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