Growth & Jobs | Jamaica positioned as regional model for agro-industry, technology transfer

Jamaica is being positioned as a regional model for agro-industrial development and technology transfer, through a partnership between the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC) aimed at strengthening micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in the agro-processing sector.

The initiative, funded by the Government of Japan and implemented under the Industrial Development and Technology Transfer among the Member States of the Caribbean Community Project, will see Jamaica serving as the demonstration country for advancing modern, resilient and competitive agro-industrial systems.

Central to the programme is a Call for Applications, open from April 16 to May 15, inviting eligible MSMEs to apply for targeted support to address persistent sectoral challenges, including outdated technologies, limited processing capacity and vulnerability to external shocks.

Acting Chief Executive Officer of JBDC, Harold Davis, said the intervention comes at a critical moment for agro-processing enterprises. “We believe the agro-processing sector represents a significant growth area for MSMEs and, by extension, for Jamaica. This project will help strengthen agro-processors so they can build greater resilience in both their production and business processes.”

He noted that many enterprises continue to face structural limitations that reduce productivity and increase risk. “Some agro-processing MSMEs do not have access to the most effective technologies. As a result, their vulnerability to external shocks is heightened, and their ability to produce at optimal levels is compromised.”

The programme has taken on added urgency following the impact of Hurricane Melissa in October 2025, which disrupted production systems and exposed weaknesses across agriculture and agro-processing value chains. Davis pointed to gaps in business continuity planning, particularly the lack of diversified input sourcing.

“Good business practice dictates that you diversify your supply sources geographically. When enterprises rely on a limited number of suppliers, a single disruption can compromise the entire operation,” he said.

Post-hurricane assessments conducted through the Ministry of Industry, Investment & Commerce identified damage to productive assets, supply-chain disruptions and reduced operational capacity among MSMEs. Against this backdrop, the UNIDO–JBDC partnership has been refined to deliver practical, high-impact support that balances immediate recovery needs with long-term resilience building.

Selected MSMEs will receive integrated support packages that combine access to modern agro-processing equipment with technical advisory services and capacity-building initiatives. This approach is expected to restore and improve production, enhance product quality, boost efficiency and strengthen resilience to future shocks, with particular consideration given to enterprises affected by Hurricane Melissa.

One key intervention focuses on equipment support for the JBDC Agro-Processing Incubator, aimed at expanding capacity and increasing redundancy so the facility can support agro-processors when their own operations are disrupted. Priority equipment includes a steam-jacketed kettle, hammer mill, dehydrator, freeze dryer, density meter and screw press. These investments will enhance business continuity, safeguard jobs and strengthen agro-processing value chains.

Davis stressed that technology transfer extends beyond physical assets. “Technology is also about know-how. It’s about upskilling MSMEs and helping them develop more resilient business models.”

He added that partnerships such as this reinforce JBDC’s role as a central hub for MSME support. “With over 400,000 entrepreneurs in Jamaica, collaborations like these allow us to reach further and deeper, improving both the quality of support and the number of businesses we can impact.”

The project will target approximately 50 MSMEs over a three-year period (2024–2029). Eligible applicants are encouraged to apply via the JBDC website. JBDC operates under the Ministry of Industry, Investment & Commerce.