KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaicans in the agricultural sector are set to benefit from 20 short-term orientation programmes in Israel, which are aimed at exposing participants to advanced farming technologies and techniques.

Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Audley Shaw, made the disclosure at the launch of Export Max III, at the Spanish Court Hotel last Thursday.

“It is a three-week to one-month programme in Israel. It is good for our young people to go to Israel to learn the technology and see what they are doing and bring that back to Jamaica. We have to learn from others. We must tap into what they do to achieve wealth creation,” he said.

He also informed of the granting of 10 one-year scholarships for young people, which will aid in the capacity building of the agricultural sector in Jamaica.

Meanwhile, speaking on the Export Max III programme, Shaw commended Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO) for conceptualising the initiative.

Export Max III is a three-year programme geared towards providing focused capacity-building, advocacy and market penetration support to 50 exporters and export-ready firms.

He noted that this year’s programme will place emphasis on high-level business mentorship and coaching initiatives, geared towards improving productivity and competitiveness.

“It is anticipated that at the end of the programme, participants would have achieved 50 per cent average growth in export sales over three years and entered at least one new export market,” he stated.

“Programmes like this, which will help integrate our micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) into the global value chain are commendable. The development and adherence to international standards will allow them to better access foreign markets through the development of these kinds of initiatives,” Shaw added.

The Export Max III programme is being implemented in partnership with the Jamaica Manufacturers and Exporters’ Association (JMEA) and the Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC).