The JBWF Agricultural Revolving Project

The Jamaica Baptist Women's Federation Agricultural Revolving Project was one of the goals put forward under the presidency of Dr. Wilma Grandison (2009-2011). The idea was conceptualised out of a need to assist sisters of the organisation to become more self sufficient. 

This need was "evidenced" as there was a significant decline in the attendance at the Annual Conferences (2007-2009). The decline was mainly attributed to the loss of jobs which caused a substantial decrease in the disposable income among sisters. The key factor evoked a sense of concern, hence the proposal of a programme aimed at taking back sisters to self sustainability.

Initially, the project was funded on a small scale by sponsorship from the Baptist World Alliance Women's Department, assisted by the St. Ann Baptist Brotherhood under the leadership of Mr. R.T.  James. Then, only twentyeight (28) persons from six (6) parishes benefited from the programme which faced many obstacles including shortage of funds. 

The need to secure funding became urgent. Therefore it was with much joy when in October 2014 Mr. Don McGlashan from the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) introduced the then president Mrs. Esmilda Mckenzie to the Direct Aid Programme (DAP) of the Australian High Commission. Without hesitation, (less than two days) the proposal was sent off, and by January 2015, the Jamaica Baptist Women's Federation was the happy and proud recipient of US$30,000.

Objectives

The main Objectives of the project are:

  1. To assist a minimum of three hundred women (Members and Non-members of the church) to become self sufficient by 2018.
  2. To provide our women with sustainable agricultural and other life skills.
  3. To minister to un-churched women and bring them into the fellowship of the church.
  4. To help to empower women in a way that they can be better able to improve their own standard of living and that of their families.
  5. To encourage a spirit of unity and cooperation among women.

Outreach

The program is designed to cover the fourteen (14) parishes of Jamaica, and will include the following persons..

  • The Unemployed
  • The Economically Challenged
  • Adherents of the Church

 

The persons selected should have the requisite resources; that is chicken coup and/or farm lands. The items to be distributed are:

  • Chicken 
  • Goats
  • Pigs
  • Seedlings (Pepper, Callaloo, tomatoes, carrot and ginger). 

 

Recipients are expected to send the committee half yearly reports on progress that is being made. Therefore proper records of activities and accounting are encouraged.

Training:

Before any distribution is done, the persons selected will receive training on how to prepare and care for poultry or livestock after which they will receive Certificates of participation. Individuals from RADA and Jamaica Broilers are committed to assist with training and have been conducting training.

The Nature of the Project (Revolving):

The project is designed to be cascading within each parish as it revolves. After individuals within a parish receive poultry (50 chickens, 5 bags of feed, 2 packs of medication) or livestock (a goat or pig), each individual each individual is expected to give back an agreed sum of money which is used to purchase poultry and livestock to be distributed within the same parish to another set of persons; and the process continues. Persons who are beneficiaries know that the success of the project is dependent on their being responsible and accountable.

Unfortunately, only a few pigs and goats are currently in the system. Due to the shortage of these animals, it is difficult to obtain them in bulk.

To date, over one hundred and twenty five (125) women and a few men are involved in poultry rearing from seven parishes. These persons have been boasting of their success as well as the usefulness of the programme. Over six thousand (6000) chickens have been distributed.Distribution in the other remaining seven (7) parishes is expected to commence in March 2016.