To benefit from Agricultural Support Services funding, an applicant must be an agricultural producer (farmer or processor), an exporter, or an individual who is actively engaged in his/her business or trade, and is able to demonstrate his/her need for the services requested. Although individuals are eligible, emphasis is being placed on providing grants for support services for groups of producers or exporters.

The services financed, fall under five categories – Extension, Marketing, Land Regularization, Research and Information.

Extension:

• On-farm demonstrations and training
• Analytical services, e.g. soils, entomology and pathology analyses
• Technical exchanges, including producer-visits to other local and overseas facilities
• Environmental management, involving environmental assessments, management systems, and chemical and waste management training
• Other training

Marketing:

• Buyer visits
• Market visits
• Packaging and labelling design
• Marketing plan development
• Business plan development

Land Regularization:

• Surveys
• Title searches

Research:

• Adaptive research, including purchasing new rootstock and establishing pilot plots
• Product development (e.g. prototype development)

Information:

• Production and market studies

Note: The preceding list of eligible services is non-exhaustive and other requests will be considered on a case- by-case basis.

1. The ASSP can assist farmers, exporters and agro-producers to develop business proposals and marketing plans.
2. Through the Agri-Stakeholders Association, supermarkets, hoteliers, exporters, agro-processors and distributors with secure markets can purchase crops, livestock meat-kind, honey, and apiary products that are produced by beneficiaries of the project. To do this interested parties may call 927-1506 or 977-3429