India-UN Fund: FAO Advances Rural Livelihoods from Poultry, Goat Skills to Agripreneurship in Jamaica
Building on the success of earlier poultry training, the Improving Rural Livelihoods Through Resilient Agri-food Systems Project continues to strengthen skills and expand opportunities for small-scale farmers in Kitson Town. The initiative, a collaboration between the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Government of Jamaica, is funded by the Government of the Republic of India through the India-UN Development Partnership Fund.Earlier this year, nearly 50 farmerspredominantly women and youth, graduated from a comprehensive poultry training programme focused on small livestock production and practical farm management. Participants constructed model poultry houses, gained hands-on experience in housing design, nutrition, pest and disease control, and biosecurity, and were equipped with tools to improve productivity and food safety. Participants renovate a goat house during a training session.Following this milestone, the project expanded its training portfolio to include goat rearing. In partnership with the Spring Village Development Foundation, beneficiaries completed a four-week programme that combined theory and practice, covering key areas such as record keeping, pest management, and nutrition. As part of the training, participants also renovated a goat house using sustainable pallet housing techniques introduced by the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), providing a replicable model for other farmers in the community.The project is now entering a new phase focused on entrepreneurship and business development. Delivered in collaboration with the Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC) and Junior Achievement Jamaica (JAJ), the training series will introduce participants to key concepts in entrepreneurial mindset, business formalization, marketing strategies, and financial planning. Sessions will be held in Kitson Town and at partner schools in St. Catherine and Clarendon, reinforcing the project’s commitment to reaching diverse groups of beneficiaries across the region.This shift from livestock training to entrepreneurship takes a holistic approach, combining hands-on farming skills with business knowledge to help small farmers build sustainable agribusinesses. Through continued training and infrastructure support, the project aims to enhance food security, create income-generating opportunities and strengthen community resilience in Kitson Town and beyond.Source:https://www.fao.org/jamaica-bahamas-and-belize/news/detail-events/en/c/1740921/
