Agriculture Entrepreneurship
D. Pearl Hendrickson, SME Adviser
Island Government of St. Eustatius
This Conference provides the platform to
initiate discussions on the three main elements
of Sustainable Development,
 Society (People),
 Economy (Profit)
 Environment (Planet)
Prepared by D. Pearl Hendrickson,
SME Adviser to the Island
Government
Under this General session of the Conference “How
sustainable are we in Statia?” the subheading
“Agricultural Entrepreneurship” emphasizes the
1. empowerment of the people (the target of
sustainable development), by
2. stimulating Agricultural Entrepreneurship to
boost the economy (the tool in achieving
sustainable development), whilst
3. preserving the environment & resources (the
necessary basis for sustainable development).
Prepared by D. Pearl Hendrickson,
SME Adviser to the Island
Government
Prepared by D. Pearl Hendrickson,
SME Adviser to the Island
Government
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An internship program between Ministry of Social
Affairs, Edu-Partners and the Golden Rock Veg &
Pet Store N.V. (GRVG&PS).
The local farm GRVG&PS employed six (6) interns
GRVG&PS agreed to provide on the job training
and modules on farming for a period of eight
months.
GRVG&PS also agreed to pay half of the salary of
each participant whilst the other half was covered
by the Ministry of Social Affairs in the
Netherlands
Prepared by D. Pearl Hendrickson,
SME Adviser to the Island
Government
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To generate employment opportunities
amongst the local unemployed or
unemployable youth of the island
To enhance the awareness of the viability of a
career and/or business in the Agriculture
Sector
To increase the knowledge of the participants
of the program in the field of farming
To revive the Agriculture Sector of St.
Eustatius and redevelop the sector as an
economic pillar.
Prepared by D. Pearl Hendrickson,
SME Adviser to the Island
Government
Within the context of the SME Project the
Agriculture Sector is a viable sector to
empower its local people by assisting
existing farmers to grow, expand and/or
diversify their operations and stimulate the
younger population to start-up SMEs in the
sector.
The job program offered the adviser an
“in-road” to promote self-employment
amongst the farmer to the program.
Prepared by D. Pearl Hendrickson,
SME Adviser to the Island
Government
Prepared by D. Pearl Hendrickson,
SME Adviser to the Island
Government
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Opportunity to grow the business,
Higher productivity due to the extra capacity
provided by the six (6) persons employed
under the Job Program
◦ variety of production
◦ new markets and/or market segments.
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Expand the company’s operations into other
avenues in the field e.g. food processing &
packaging,
Diversify into complimentary activities e.g.
educational tours (Agri-Tourism).
Prepared by D. Pearl Hendrickson,
SME Adviser to the Island
Government
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Educated in the field of planting, cultivating
reaping and selling of row crops and
vegetables
Acquired knowledge on the overall running of
a farm
Permanent employment after the 8-month
period
The option of Self-employment and/or
starting a SME versus employment
Prepared by D. Pearl Hendrickson,
SME Adviser to the Island
Government
Elements of Sustainable Development
◦ Food security
◦ Social stability
◦ Environmental protection
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Lowered cost of living versus a higher
standard of living
Decreased unemployment rate
Increased supply of fresh produce/wider
variety of products and services
Prepared by D. Pearl Hendrickson,
SME Adviser to the Island
Government
In accordance to the Strategic Development Plan
of October 22, 2012 during the second half of
the 18th and early 19th century, St. Eustatius
(Statia) was
 a major trading post with thousands of ships
calling at her shore per year.
 there were 90 plantations, growing and
processing sugarcane which contributed to
prosperous/wealthy residents
 Statia’s nickname ‘The Golden Rock’, stems
from those former trading days
Prepared by D. Pearl Hendrickson,
SME Adviser to the Island
Government
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There are currently a relatively small number
of active farmers running small-scale
operations
There are some persons involved in backyard
gardening for personal use
There is no significant number of youngsters
involved in the farming industry
The school curricula does not cater towards
stimulating a career in the Agriculture Sector
Prepared by D. Pearl Hendrickson,
SME Adviser to the Island
Government
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The conflicting approaches to service delivery to farmers
decrease the overall effectiveness of support
Lack of policy outlining the use of Agriculture land and the
type of produce allowed
Lack of efficient irrigation system to supply sufficient
water to farmers
Lack of implementation of environmentally friendly
methods of farming (Soil management) that allow the
production of crops without damage to natural systems
The always present environmental risks (droughts and
hurricanes)
Lack of the right mindset of the people towards the
benefits of the agriculture sector to the overall economy
Prepared by D. Pearl Hendrickson,
SME Adviser to the Island
Government
Reaching toward the goal of sustainable
agriculture is the responsibility of all
participants in the system, including farmers,
laborers, policymakers, researchers, retailers,
and consumers.
Each group has its own part to play, its own
unique contribution to make to strengthen the
sustainable agriculture community
Prepared by D. Pearl Hendrickson,
SME Adviser to the Island
Government
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Government role: policies and Incentives to promote farming
as a business
Role of Business support organization: The SME Program has
focused on promoting and supporting partnerships and
linkages among institutions and organizations for efficient
SME support service delivery.
Education role: Add agriculture to the curricula to change the
mindset of the youth of Statia from thinking that agriculture
is a menial career choice and stimulate interest amongst them
to start Micro or Small Enterprises in the farming sector
Role of Farmers: on an individual run the farm as a business
and apply a collective approach to the variety of produce and
the marketing aspect of the business in particular for the
export of the product e.g. reactivate the Agriculture
Marketing Cooperative
Prepared by D. Pearl Hendrickson,
SME Adviser to the Island
Government
As mentioned before the
platform to initiate
discussions on the topic of
Sustainable Development
has been created with this
conference
Prepared by D. Pearl Hendrickson,
SME Adviser to the Island
Government