The CDF was established to provide technical and financial assistance to disadvantaged countries, regions, and sectors in CARICOM to mitigate economic disparities from participation in the CSME. Some of CDF's agrotourism projects include the Village Tourism Initiative in St. Lucia, which aims to develop sustainable village-based tourism showcasing local culture and link farmers to the tourism industry through activities like farm tours and culinary festivals. The Youth Agri-Entrepreneurship Project in St. Lucia also provided support to youth agricultural businesses with the original goal of strengthening tourism-agriculture linkages. CDF projects in other countries like the JimSan Aquaponics farm expansion in Belize and rural infrastructure projects in Guyana

1. Cross-Border Investment
in Support of Agrotourism Linkages
CARICOM DEVELOPMENT FUND
Caribbean Agrotourism Policy Setting Workshop
Strengthening the Regional Agrifood Sector to Service Tourism
Demand and Promoting Authentic Tourism Offerings in Rural
Communities

2. The CDF
Established under Article 158 of the Revised Treaty of
Chaguaramas, the CDF is a key policy instrument
geared to mitigate socio-economic disparities among
and dislocations within Member States, arising from their
participation in the CARICOM Single Market and
Economy (CSME).
Mandate
To provide technical and financial assistance to
Disadvantaged Countries, Regions and Sectors. 2

3. • Barbados
• Jamaica
• Trinidad and
Tobago
• Suriname
• Guyana
MDCs
• Antigua and
Barbuda
• Belize
• Dominica
• Grenada
• Saint Lucia
• St Kitts and
Nevis
• St Vincent and
the
Grenadines
LDCs
3
Membership of the CDF

4. 4
• In each Subvention Cycle, thematic priorities are
determined after consultations with Member States,
and approved by the Community.
• Member States’ Contributions are determined every
Subvention Cycle (Contribution formula).
• Collaboratively, Country Assistance Programmes
(CAPs) are designed to position disadvantaged
countries, regions and sectors to maximize the
benefits of the CSME.
CDF Funding

5. 5
• Fund operates in four (4) year cycles,
Currently - second cycle (ends in 2020).
• Financial support provided through Loans &
Grants, and TA (as mandated).
• Eligibility restricted to CDF Member States
which have paid in contributions (‘pay to play’
principle).
• MDCs & LDCs contributions, along with
development partners’ support, fund each
Cycle’s programmes.
CDF Funding

6. PROJECTS:
• The CDF, since commencement of operations has
been offering TA and financial support to productive
sectors of LDCs including for agriculture and tourism
development.
• CDF funded projects with agro-tourism elements:
- Village Tourism Initiative - VTI (SLU – Ongoing)
TA approved to develop a roadmap and provide inter
alia business development support to SMEs.

7. • Objective of VTI is to remove barriers to local
investment, economic development and inclusion, in
developing sustainable village-based tourism activities
that showcase the socio-cultural authenticity of host
communities
• Villages will be elevated to tourism destinations, each
highlighting a unique aspect of the island’s arts, culture,
and heritage
• The main focus will be on promotion and active
facilitation of local ownership of community-based
Accommodation, Restaurant and Bar facilities providing
authentic experiences that would in turn generate
demand for locally-produced products and services.

8. VTI cont’d:
 There will be backward linkages to Agritourism
Development with various elements including:
- Culinary festivals
- ‘farm-to- table experiences’ for cruise and day visitors.
- Promotion of traditional or creative Caribbean recipes;
food processing.
- Farm tours, including cooking demos and U-Pick
experiences
- Training farmers in sustainable agriculture, using organic
and low-input technologies to supply high end resorts

9. • Youth Agri-Entrepreneurship Project (YAEP)
(Completed)
• Assisted 150 youth in St. Lucia between the ages of
18-35 years with technical and financial support to
establish agricultural enterprises.
• Provided a grant to set up a revolving facility with the
national development bank for access to working
capital for agricultural enterprises
• Project designed originally to Strengthen linkages
between tourism and agriculture (changes in scope &
other issues affected this outcome). Evaluation
forthcoming.

12. JimSan Aquaponics Expansion (BZE –Completed)
Beneficiary of CDF loan support via DFC and CDF direct
contribution to farm rehabilitation & incorporation of
Renewable Energy
 Integrated vegetable and tilapia operation – Organized
tours to observe organic soil-less operation.
 Severely impacted by Hurricane Earl in August 2016.
Operations restarted focusing on production of high-
priced vegetables (kale, romaine lettuce etc.)in 2018.
 Since recommencement, little focus on tours or
training.

15. • Covered structures (BZE- MinAg)
- Assist rural poor to construct at least 30 fabricated
structures for controlled vegetable production, plus water
harvesting and distribution systems.
• Honey Revitalization (BZE- MinAg)
- Support for employment creation among disadvantaged
youth and rural women to expand honey production.
- Address shortfalls experienced by Hotels and other large
users of honey - (contraband, adulterated honey are key
problems in BZE)

16. • Rural agricultural infrastructure
development in small scale farming
communities – (GUY – Completed)
- Establish modern and efficient drainage and
irrigation systems
- Water conservation to address drought
conditions and flood control in farming
communities during storm events, to achieve
consistency in production (quality and quantity).

18. 18
Country Purpose
Antigua & Barbuda
TA for development of Antigua & Barbuda-
Suriname agriculture cooperation, and
implementation of priority elements.
Dominica
Refurbished and equipped 2 fresh food
packhouses to enhance agricultural exports;
enhanced capabilities of national standards
body to test and certify agricultural products
to meet export quality requirements.
St. Kitts & Nevis
Water treatment, Irrigation system installation
and other farm equipment procurement for
farmers at Indian Castle.
Other Projects in Agriculture with Potential
Links to Tourism

19. Intra-Regional Transport

20. 20
• The CDF has approved lines of credit to 5 national
development banks for onlending to SME’s including for
agricultural and tourism activities, accounting on average for
over 35% of loan portfolios.
• Development banks indicated very low uptake by clients of
resources for agriculture-tourism ventures. Potential needs to
be exploited.
• Revolving funds to provide sustained financing for SMEs – e.g.
St. Lucia and Belize
Development Banks as Conduits for
support to Agriculture and Tourism.

21. Conclusion:
- CDF is open to playing an expanded role as a
financier of agro-tourism initiatives through
Country Assistance Programmes (CAPs) and
regional initiatives.
- We are keen to collaborate with other regional
agencies and external partners in the process.

22. 22
Thank
You