The Rural Economic Development Initiative (R.E.D.I)

 On September 3, 2009 the World Bank Board gave its approval for a US$15 million loan to fund the Implementation Phase of the Rural Economic Development Initiative (REDI) project. Subsequent to this approval, the Government of Jamaica, the World Bank and the  Jamaica Social Investment Fund signed the Project and Loan Agreements on November 2, 2009 in Washington D.C.

The REDI project, which began in January 2010, aimed to improve market access for micro and small-scale rural agricultural producers and tourism projects. The overall objective of REDI was intended to reduce rural poverty; by increasing the earning potential of rural communities. This was facilitated specifically through the enhancement and development of agricultural supply chain linkages and community based tourism initiatives. The REDI project was successfully concluded on July 27,2017.
REDI was divided into Preparation and Implementation Phases. The  Preparation Phase of the project was funded by a grant of US$500,000 from the Japanese Policy and Human Resource Development (PHRD) Fund. Activities  conducted during this phase included:
 
  • Assessment of community based tourism projects in pre-selected parishes
     
  • Supply analysis of selected crops in St. Elizabeth, St. Ann and St. James
     
  • Market Analysis to understand the nature, volume and trends of agri-food demand in Jamaica
     
  • Feasibility study of pilot community sub-projects that have the potential to be financed and scaled up under the implementation phase of the second National Community Development Project.
     
  • Development of a Social and Environmental safeguards manual
 
 
 

The Government of Jamaica, through the JSIF's  Rural Economic Development Initiative (REDI), aimed to improve market access for micro and small-scale rural agricultural producers and tourism product and service providers by:

  • Facilitating the strengthening of the supply chain linkages between the agricultural sector and end users in processing, the tourism sector, fast food chains, restaurants and supermarkets.
  • Supporting the development of community based tourism as a viable option and opportunity for economic investment.
  • Strengthening the capacity of rural groups to be able to plan and implement income- generating projects.
  • Ensuring greater sustainability of rural development through inter agency collaboration.

REDI - Project Components

REDI provided financial and technical support through grants for eligible projects under two components:
 
Component 1 
 
Agriculture and Rural Tourism Projects
Type A:  Small-scale revenue generating activities by rural enterprises  (maximum grant funding US$50,000.00).
Type B: Investments in critical small-scale public infrastructure (maximum grant funding US$200,000.00)

 

Examples of   Component 1 Projects

Agriculture:

  • On-farm investments in innovations e.g.; green houses, breeding stock improvement, introduction of new crops and varieties and un-seasonal production methods.
  • Improvement of infrastructure e.g.; public markets, abbatoirs, storage sheds, fish cleaning and filleting facilities and equipment.
  • Technological enhancements to improve productivity e.g drying equipment and drip irrigation.
  • Provide training in production, marketing, business and financial management, disaster mitigation and recovery, among others.          

Tourism:

  • Investments in promotional strategies intended to improve competitiveness, such as: developing communications materials such as brochures
  • Infrastructure development, such as; visitor and information centers, museums, public restroom facilities.
  • Provision of training in marketing, business and financial management, disaster mitigation and recovery, among others.

Component 2:

Implementation of  Technical Assistance and Capacity Building for national organizations e.g. RADA, TPDCo, JAS, Chambers of Commerce, Parish Council, NGOs and other institutions linked to agriculture and rural tourism that would ultimately provide support forprojectsfunded through REDI .

REDI was available to groups of persons who were engaged in existing or new enterprises that were legally registered as a Cooperative, Benevolent or Friendly Society, or groups sponsored by a NGO or community organization. These included:

  • Rural Tourism, Agricultural Producer and Agro-processing groups  comprised of a minimum of 10 persons
  • Groups involved in agriculture and /or rural tourism; operating at the small and micro-enterprise level with the most significant potential to deliver economic benefits.
  • New and existing micro or small business groups in agriculture and /or rural tourism with an asset base (excluding land and buildings) not exceeding the equivalent of US$10,000.00 – US$100,000.00 and an annual turnover of less than the equivalent of US$125,000.00. 

To access REDI, groups of no less than ten persons, were required to:

1. become a legally registered Cooperative, Benevolent or Friendly Society.      

2. Have a viable business idea in agriculture and/or rural tourism, that supports income generation and employment creation.

3. Apply to JSIF – Obtain an application form from the JSIF office at11 Oxford Road, Kingston 5, the JSIF website www.jsif.org, RADA Parish Offices, or TPDCo Regional Offices.