This project seeks to improve decision-making & regional cooperation: Foster greater collaboration and knowledge sharing between stakeholders & countries in research and development activities, production and processing technology and business opportunities.
Outcome 1: Market opportunities identified, value chain development plans agreed. Synergies and continuity developed with existing regional and national programmes to enhance regional integration of markets
Activities
• Identification of relevant sector stakeholders
• Value Chain Industry Development Workshops
• Establishment of National Stakeholder Platforms (NSP)
• Market Options and Value Chain Analysis Report
• National Value chain development Roadmaps
• In-depth farmer characterization surveys
• Scoping for Buyers
Output 1.1: Producers, processors & enabling services mapped and evaluated. Analyses updated. Project and governance structure set-up
Territorial alliances established for targeted capacity building training programs for producers and agro-processor and to develop market linkages
• Project governance established between CARDI and ITC
• Project structure, resources, operating zones & Regional Steering Committee organized
• Global Value Chain analysis disseminated through National Stakeholder Platforms and regional and national workshops
• Value chain meetings hosted with coconut stakeholders in all participating countries
• 6 regional workshops/trainings organized in Guyana, Jamaica, Dominican Republic, Mexico
• In-depth characterization baseline for local VCs in Guyana, Jamaica and Dominican Republic
• Public Private Led project monitoring and implementation
Output 1.2: Strengthening regional coordination to enable better integration of national programmes outlined in the previous program
• Value chain development road-mapping workshops were conducted
• National Stakeholder Platforms (NSP) composed of 5-15 elected industry representatives for the public and private sector in eleven countries participating countries.
• Periodic NSP meetings have been held in all nine countries to promote sector development activities, reporting plans to track progress agreed
• 5 Regional Workshops conducted with the participation of members of the NSPs
• Exchange visits to CICY and INIFAD (Mexico), EMBRAPA (Brazil), APPC/ India and Pacific
• Collection and compilation of relevant agronomic and market studies, data and market information
Output 1.3: Industry trends, real market opportunities and requirements for coconut value-added products explored with stakeholders with performance capabilities and investment plans
• Finalised regional coconut value chain analysis disseminated in 2016 • Selection of prioritised product-market combinations by each country (coconut water, virgin coconut oil and seedling production)
• Linkages of lead farmers with national, regional and international firms resulting in exports of value added products to the UK market.
• Commercial Alliances with lead firms such as Grace Kennedy; Jamaica Producers; Blue Waters; Demerara Distilleries Limited (Pepsi and El Dorado Rum); Precision Group; Citricos Rica CCD; Fundacion Tropicalia; Banelino, Max Havelaar; Sunray and Solo Cocos.
Output 1.4: Development Road map defined and validated by stakeholders in a participatory process. Implementation plans agreed
• Finalization of Road map for industry development complete in 9 countries
• National Stakeholder Platforms established in all eleven countries – with official endorsement of governments and following up actions in road map
• More than 200 public and private stakeholders, attended 117 NSP meetings in eleven countries;
• 46% of private stakeholders represent smallholder or cooperatives
• Ongoing technical support provided to all NSPs via periodic communication with NSP focal point & chairperson, and periodic attendance of CARDI/ITC staff in NSP meetings
• Regional Stakeholder Platform to be launched in CWA Barbados 2018
Output 1.5: Road maps used to formulate programmes, projects and grant proposals
• Incorporation of GVC studies, national strategic objectives and local stakeholders to draft project proposal
• Endorsement of NSPs and roadmaps by national governments
• Signature of MoU between Dominican Ministry of Agriculture and CARDI
• Endorsement of progress of project activities by the CARICOM Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED)
• Project proposal submitted to the European Union and CARIFORUM in early February 2018
