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Lessons Learned: Farmers and Financers

Why Farmers?

As Farm Credibly, we are focused on solving global problems but also problems that are widespread in the Caribbean. Agriculture is intertwined in the history of most Caribbean countries, and globally over 1 billion people are employed in agriculture, representing 1 in 3 of all workers (source: http://www.fao.org/3/i2490e/i2490e01b.pdf). This is a sizable market. After interviewing more than 120 different farmers, two common challenges are very pronounced for most farmers: 

From Supply Chains to Supply Networks

Farm Credibly wants to bring more agritech to our food supply chains. Companies and individuals who currently struggle to reliably source from farmers or connect with consumers can now participate in supply networks (in addition to traditional supply chains). What this means is that we are facilitating more connections than has ever been possible before. For instance, end consumers can, for the first time, benefit on the upside from farmers who ultimately are feeding us all.

Full Potential of the Caribbean's Agricultural Output Based on Data

Although it's not really fair to compare two completely different centuries in a graph like this, is there any knowledge that can be derrived from the comparison being in this graph?

Let us know on Twitter or Instagram.

The truth is that the historical profitability of planting sugarcane has been sharply decreasing since 1763, despite an overall increase in sugar con-sumption worldwide over the last several decades.

Elder Farmers and the Aging of Rural Populations

Here we can see population pyramids for the world, showing a widening youth base, especially in developing countries. It demonstrates the overall increase in the number of young people on the planet. These are people who are currently being fed by a comparatively smaller and aging population of farmers. There are considerably more young people than old, so the already small proportion of farmers (who on average are 60 years and older) will need to pass on their skills and livelihoods to younger persons.

Remembering St. Thomas

I really love St. Thomas! I think the fact that St. Thomas is a parish with what looks like the least amount of resources or development, actually works in its favour. This allows the parish the ability to reflect a rich heritage, you can feel the healing energy as soon as you enter that Bull Bay strip.  Think about it, of all Jamaica’s parishes this is the one with the cleanest and safest beaches.

Micro-Investments

Finance
$31,314.34
A US $200 contribution yields a return of $30 just 12 months after planting the additional acreage.

Finance
$78,285.85
A US $500 contribution will yield $75 in returns just 12 months after planting.

Finance
$156,571.70
A US $1000 contribution yields a return of $200 just 12 months after planting the additional acreage.

Finance
$625,000.00
Repayment begins after 4 months

Finance
$1,565,717.00
A US $10,000 contribution yields a return of US $2,000 just 12 months after planting the additional acreage.