KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) — Local farmers are set to benefit from grant funding through the Jamaica Diaspora Agriculture Taskforce (JDAT) Investor Circle, micro farming enterprise social fund.

The initiative will be officially launched at the Denbigh Agricultural, Industrial and Food Show in Clarendon on August 6.

Chairperson of JDAT, Kimone Gooden said the project’s aim is to create a mechanism for farmers “to be able to ask for a grant, get it quickly, prove that they use the funds appropriately, and get the support that they need.”

She said that the Investor Circle will be accepting applications for funding at Denbigh.

Farmers may also apply online at www.jdat.callingalljamaicans.org, or request a copy of the application form by sending an email to jdat@callingalljamaicans.org.

Gooden noted that grants are disbursed within 30 days and will be given based on the merit of the application.

She explained that the first instalment will be paid to start the requested project, while the final instalment will be paid after a progress review.

The JDAT was created for members and organisations in the Diaspora who are passionate about Agriculture.

Meanwhile, Co-Chair of JDAT Denise McLaughlin explained that, it was identified that farmers needed further support, adding that the organisation continually receives requests from farmers for assistance.

This, she said, is the basis on which the Investor Circle was formed, adding that the group consists of people within the Diaspora who have pooled their resources, in an effort to provide the grants.