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Engaging Unattached Youth in Small-Scale Ornamental Fish Farming: An Urban Value Chain Approach 2012 Global Youth Economic Opportunities Conference

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Project Partners The Competitiveness Company Implementing Partner A not-for-profit project management and consultancy firm based in Kingston, Jamaica. Their mission is to enhance the prosperity of the country, improve MSME competitiveness and widen opportunities for the young and unemployed. SEEP Network Technical and Learning Partner A global network of over 130 practitioner organizations dedicated to combating poverty through promoting inclusive markets and financial systems. Jamaica Ornamental Fish Farming Project

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Why Urban Value Chain Development?

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How can we harness the resources of todays cities to reduce poverty and benefit the vulnerable populations?

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Jamaica The Competitiveness Company with 2 other orgs. Jamaican Ornamental Fish Urban Value Chain Kenya AMPATH with 2 other orgs. Value Initiative Program (horticultural value chain) India ACCESS Dev. Services with 4 other orgs. Jaipur Jewellery Artisans Development Project Indonesia Mercy Corps Indonesia with 3 other orgs. VIP (Tofu and Tempe) Urban Value Chain Development Practitioner Learning Program

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What We Are Learning Reaching vulnerable populations in urban areas Results measurement in complex market development projects Improving working conditions in urban informal sectors Leveraging social networks in VCD Models and Strategies for value chain finance Engaging Governments and policy makers in VCD VCD strategies in different sub-sectors in an urban setting www.seepnetwork.org/value

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Who Are the Youth in this project? Unattached Youth Unemployed Not looking for work Not in School Not in Vocational Training More likely to join gangs More likely to be pregnant at a young age

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High unemployment among youth and in Urban Areas Long term economic stagnation High rates of crime High rates of slum conditions Jamaica and The Urban Youth

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Program Objective The development of competitive and export- oriented niche value chains that result in sustainable profitability of urban youth entrepreneurs.

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Methodology Value Chain Selection Identify and list SME Sectors Identify and List existing SMEs Develop Criteria for Unique SME Market Segments Screen SME sectors Analyse segment characteristics Develop Criteria for Value Chain selection Identify Market Trends and Opportunities Select Value Chain and Develop Interventions

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Project Development Process

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Why The Ornamental Fish Value Chain? Existing & Potential Market Demand Total export value Over US$300 Million per year Total value of aquarium industry US$ 27 Billion On average, over 1.5 billion fish traded 104 exporting countries vs. 144 importing countries Resilience: Industry rebounded well from 1997, 2001 and 2008 Recessions Annual Growth of 8% per annum

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Why The Ornamental Fish Value Chain? Good fit with Local Conditions and Target Group Jamaicas climate is ideal for year-round production Proximity to the high demand markets: Canada & the U.S. Logistical cost advantages through air freight Fish breeding already a Youth entrepreneurial activity

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Major Value Chain Challenges Ineffective farming methods and backward technology Community Divisions affected economic activity Low levels of technical knowledge Few support services (training, extension, quality control) Access to Finance (Given profile of target group) Low levels of market knowledge both locally and internationally. Very little State support for exporting.

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Overall impact goals Objectives Intended results Market development interventions Wealth creation, and stability in communities Increased local and export sales Improved market knowledge and relationships Accessible Market-based support services Market Driven and productive Farmer Groups. Strengthen links between farmers and local exporters Effective and affordable Support Services 1.Identify and train new young urban farmers; 2.Upgrade production systems; 3.Introduce demanded species; 4.Develop breeders 1.Identify and train new young urban farmers; 2.Upgrade production systems; 3.Introduce demanded species; 4.Develop breeders 1.Build capacity of local exporters; 2.Conduct market research; 3.Build farmer exporter relationship 1.Build capacity of local exporters; 2.Conduct market research; 3.Build farmer exporter relationship 1.Develop extension services ; 2.Negotiate with suppliers; 3.Increase access to technical information 4.Expand Breeder capacity 5.Engage MOA to support farmers with QA. 1.Develop extension services ; 2.Negotiate with suppliers; 3.Increase access to technical information 4.Expand Breeder capacity 5.Engage MOA to support farmers with QA. Program Causal Model

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Interventions Activities & Results Updating skills and available technical knowledge and training

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Introduce new technology to improve efficiency and productivity in a backyard setting. Interventions Activities & Results

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Aggregate production and minimize operational costs through collaboration Interventions Activities & Results

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Market learning and penetration exercises to gain market knowledge and initiate exporting relationships Interventions Activities & Results

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Link Urban Youth Farmers to local sources of micro- finance where necessary. Interventions Activities & Results

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Ornamental Fish Value Chain Breeders and Brood stock Importers Suppliers or Packing Materials Hardware Fish Food & Supply Wholesalers Input Supply Urban Fish Farmers Pet Shops Domestic Consumers Exporters Consolidators / Agents Foreign Consumers Micro- Lenders Trainers Extension Officers Fish-Farm Technicians Train-the- trainer Market information Build Capacity Of Trainers to deliver Training and Advice Build Capacity Of Para Vets and Technicians Engage Lead Firms to Link Large number of Small Farmers to Export Markets

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Key Lessons and Challenges Working with at-risk youth in volatile urban communities requires Enhancing and matching existing skills to sustainable markets Identifying and involving influential voices within their communities Selecting and working with exemplars Learning about the power structure and daily life in the community Include several group exercises that require communication and interdependence. Value Chain Selection must be rigorous and based on current data, context. Clusters/Production Groups are a useful mechanism for Economic Development in Urban Context.

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Nicardo Neil Project and Marketing Manager The Competitiveness Company nicardo@thecompetitivenesscompany. com Thank You! Yibin Chu Program Manger The SEEP Network chu@seepnetwork.org More resources, publications, and information about The Value Initiative www.seepnetwork.org/value