Small farming in Jamaica: Consider goats.
Research crop management and animal care. You might also consider registration of a company especially if you will need financing. Land Acquisition and equipment are other considerations,
One example of a small farm is HMH Farms Limited in Bushy Park St. Catherine which does farming to produce goat meat and eggs. The farm is jointly owned by mother and son Hjort Henry and Hazel Henry who started the operation over four years ago, targeting a market which their research showed was worth “well over $2 billion in annual sales.”
Agroinvest Corporation indicates that Jamaica’s current chevon and mutton consumption is largely satisfied by Australia and New Zealand imports totaling close to 2.5 million kgs in 2017 valuing US $851,982 US worth of chevon products and US$8,947,747 of mutton and lamb products.
Local production covers on average 15 per cent of the total national demand. To directly substitute these imports herd sizes, need to increase by 250,000 ewes and 30,000 does the corporation states.
Agroinvest has made a call to investors for its Small Ruminant Agro-Park which it says will provide investors with a sharing economy including security to help mitigate against praedial larceny, quality management systems and facilitation of movement along the value chain (slaughtering, processing, marketing).
However, there are other investors such as HMH Farms which is already looking at value added.
Investment to date is just over $24 million in the farm which Henry describes as a medium sized meat and egg operation.
Market share
Market share for HMH is currently less than 1.5 per cent. The farm which employes five produces’ tabletop eggs, supplied mainly to bakeries and hotels and graded Boer goats, which are sold to farmers to improve the genetics of the goats on their farms.
Goat meat is also sold to consumers, restaurants and wholesalers. Hjort Henry, who left a career in insurance to run the farm says that investment to date is north of $24 million but below $30 million.
Goat meat is also sold to consumers, restaurants and wholesalers. Hjort Henry, who left a career in insurance to run the farm says that investment to date is north of $24 million but below $30 million.
In the last three years there has been 10-15 per cent growth in margins annually.
The farm features four acres of land, including housing and production capacity for 150 breeding females and 300 kids; layer capacity for 2000 birds; 600 broiler birds capacity; slaughterhouse; a 525 sq ft agro-processing facility; storeroom; and a main building housing office, bathroom sleeping area , kitchen and egg production room.
The farms target market comprises mom and pop wholesales, supermarkets, restaurants, hotels, , direct to consumers, party promoters, round robins and organisers of nine nights.
Now he hopes to add frozen goat meat burgers as a new business line, explaining: “The concept of the Jamgoat burger was to bring value added to the consumer and to introduce a healthier Burger option to the more health-conscious fast-food lover, as goat meat is the healthier red meat
He outlined, “Goat meat is lower in calories, fat, and cholesterol compared to beef and pork.
It's generally leaner than beef and pork, making it a healthier option for those looking to reduce fat intake. Chicken is typically the leanest option among these meats.
“Goat meat has less fat compared to beef and pork, making it a good choice for those seeking lean protein options. Goat meat contains less cholesterol compared to beef and pork.
Agroinvest states that with less than 15 per cent of registered Jamaican farmers engaged in the production of livestock more local investment is needed.
It outlines on its website that the development of small ruminant agro-parks in Middlesex utilising lands previously mined for bauxite “will allow for increased production and productivity as ruminants tend to strive best in southern parishes on the plains that experience variable (low) rainfall and dry vegetation.
“The parishes of Clarendon, Manchester and St. Elizabeth have natural pastures suitable for grazing and ruminants developed under strictly organic conditions opens the opportunity for profitability in the growing organic/healthy market segment.”
The research and investment body said that commercial small ruminant investment requires an estimated initial capital outlay of J$4.5 million.”
The farm features four acres of land, including housing and production capacity for 150 breeding females and 300 kids; layer capacity for 2000 birds; 600 broiler birds capacity; slaughterhouse; a 525 sq ft agro-processing facility; storeroom; and a main building housing office, bathroom sleeping area , kitchen and egg production room.
The farms target market comprises mom and pop wholesales, supermarkets, restaurants, hotels, , direct to consumers, party promoters, round robins and organisers of nine nights.
Now he hopes to add frozen goat meat burgers as a new business line, explaining: “The concept of the Jamgoat burger was to bring value added to the consumer and to introduce a healthier Burger option to the more health-conscious fast-food lover, as goat meat is the healthier red meat
He outlined, “Goat meat is lower in calories, fat, and cholesterol compared to beef and pork.
It's generally leaner than beef and pork, making it a healthier option for those looking to reduce fat intake. Chicken is typically the leanest option among these meats.
“Goat meat has less fat compared to beef and pork, making it a good choice for those seeking lean protein options. Goat meat contains less cholesterol compared to beef and pork.
Agroinvest states that with less than 15 per cent of registered Jamaican farmers engaged in the production of livestock more local investment is needed.
It outlines on its website that the development of small ruminant agro-parks in Middlesex utilising lands previously mined for bauxite “will allow for increased production and productivity as ruminants tend to strive best in southern parishes on the plains that experience variable (low) rainfall and dry vegetation.
“The parishes of Clarendon, Manchester and St. Elizabeth have natural pastures suitable for grazing and ruminants developed under strictly organic conditions opens the opportunity for profitability in the growing organic/healthy market segment.”
The research and investment body said that commercial small ruminant investment requires an estimated initial capital outlay of J$4.5 million.”
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