Agriculture platform generates more than $1 billion in sales for farmers – Bartlett
KINGSTON, Jamaica— The Agri-Linkages Exchange (ALEX) platform has generated more than $1 billion in sales for small farmers, so far, in 2023.
This was disclosed by Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett, during a statement to the House of Representatives on Tuesday.
“On this platform, ordinary farmers with three-acre and five-acre lots connect directly with the hotels, and the hotels can purchase from them on the platform and it’s delivered to them, and they are paid appropriately,” Bartlett said.
The ALEX platform is a collaborative initiative between the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF) and the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), which has revolutionised the interaction between hoteliers and farmers.
“RADA and TEF are working to strengthen that and to bring more farmers onto the platform,” the minister noted.
He also mentioned the tourism loan disbursements through the National Export-Import (EXIM) Bank, which have surpassed $1 billion for 2023.
The Small and Medium Tourism Enterprise (SMTE) loan facility, managed by TEF and facilitated through the EXIM Bank, plays a pivotal role in enhancing the resilience and capacity of SMTEs in the tourism sector.
This initiative has empowered business operators with access to financing of up to $25 million at an interest rate of 4.5 per cent for five years.
