Agri Business Council of Jamaica

Agri–Business Council of Jamaica — the centre where Agricultural stakeholders will learn how to significantly increase their earnings from their agri-business pursuits.

Purpose

The Agri–Business Council of Jamaica (ABC) — a driver of community development through improved, profitable agri-business.

Background

The Agri-Business Council of Jamaica (ABC) was launched in 1994 under the auspices of the Ministry of Agriculture by the Hon. Minister of Agriculture. Its main purpose continues to be coordination of the efforts of private and public agri-business interests throughout Jamaica so as to positively impact on the development of Jamaica’s agri-business sector.

The Agri-Business Council is composed of a thirteen (13) man Board of Directors, a Secretariat and a General Body.

Membership of the Council’s general body is currently voluntary. There are more than twenty public and private sector member organizations. The body meets quarterly and annually. There are plans to ratify the membership structure, rendering it more relevant to current social and economic realities.

Mandate and Operations

ABC fulfills its mandate through providing effective linkages between Agricultural producers/service providers and The Ministry of Agriculture and Lands as well as other relevant agencies. Its operations is aimed at facilitating the empowerment of sector members, enabling them to make better decisions that will lead to greater financial gains from their agri-business pursuits.

Services and Other Offerings

ABC’s services and products are geared to the empowerment of its stakeholders and fall under two (2) basic functional areas:

Provision of an Advisory and Integrated Agri-Business Information Service
- Identification and engagement of resources, as needed
- Availability and Application of R&D findings and new developments nationally and internationally
- Comprehensive information system (with cross referencing)
- Forecasting and "Think Tank" facilitation
- Publication and via popular media
Organizational Strenghtening of Commodity Groups and other Private Entities of the Agricultural Sector
- Facilitation of Agri-preneurial and administrative development of stakeholders
- Organizational strengthening in areas such as lobbying, negotiating, conflict resolution
- Entrepreneurial coaching: virtual/real incubator
- Practical administrative systems: record keeping, board charter
- Training resources: templates, modules, booklets, collaborative linkages etc.