If you ask anyone today, especially in Santo, do you require a middleman for your business? Someone who negotiates on your behalf? Someone who can facilitate your cash transactions? Or that someone who through contractual agreements is supposed to supply you so much during a period of time? Most buyers/markets would say NO! The cattle industry is such a big playing field that investing in a cattle business/farming requires time, capital investment and trusted partners.
So what is it about middleman/agents that is so wrong that most buyers would say "NO" to hiring out middleman or agents. This is true across the entire production sector - livestock and agriculture. The experience is that most middleman hired out either double-crossed you or they would make excuses of death of a loved one, being very sick, weather conditions and so forth for not doing what they supposed to do.
Looking from other perspective, if well managed and utilized to its potential middleman/agent can be the advantage or the edge of doing business and competing in the market. For instance, having spotters(middleman) out in the field to spot good cattle stock, reduces costs to find stock and time and satisfies your market conditions - customers preference of time. To add more, spotters are usually experienced with their trade, so conditions that your market requires that is maybe over your head, their skills maybe the solution to your market factors.
The challenge is, how can there be a mutual understanding where there is a mutual beneficial relationship? If it exists, how can it be maintained? The whole concept of middleman/agents is a reciprocal relationship, it is give and take and again it has to be mutual.
Monday, March 2, 2020
Wednesday, February 4, 2015
Integrating the Supply Chain of Smallholder Beef
Some of the major players inside the commercial beef industry in Vanuatu, particularly in major producing islands are smallholder farmers. A smallholder farmer is defined as a farmer with less than 100 heads of cattle.
On the island of Espiritu Santo, most successful cattle farmers are from the East coast, with reputation from being consistently supplying markets until today, despite difficulties in accessing markets such as poor husbandry production practices, high transport costs and low price incentive. Other areas/communities around Santo (Sanma Province) have considerable numbers of cattle production, however; are partly engaged in industry.
At a glance, one can argue that there is enough cattle to thrive the industry yet the two manufacturing companies based in Santo are still claiming there is shortage in supply of cattle to their meat works. So what issues are there that is limiting supply of the cattle? Are these problems on-farm? Is it about linkages to the market that requires a policy directive? Is it a market intervention? Is it something to do with the existing genetics? Do we need a research study to determine what is needed, how are we going to address these issues, who will be involved and or what collaborations is there that requires a multi-sectoral approach? These and more questions are needed to raise the need to integrate the supply chain of smallholder beef to commercial markets.
Looking back over the years, the commercial cattle industry has enjoyed maximum benefits and has made a reputation of itself, still, that image has been tainted with export of live cattle, decrease in cattle production resulting in one major manufacturing meat works in Santo to downsize its capacity due to shortage of cattle supply. This is also true for the new manufacturing meat works who currently is employing a smallholder beef cattle scheme to encourage smallholders to raise more beef cattle.
It is about high time the Goverment of Vanuatu (GoV) through the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries, Forestry and Biosecurity (MALFFB) and the Ministry of Trade, Toursim, Cooperative and Ni-Vanuatu Business (MTTCNVB) work together to address any given issues, whether on-farm, market linkages, policy directives or genetics, to better integrate the supply chain of smallholder beef to the commercial market.
There is talks of a Smallholder Beef project underway aimed at improving the supply chain of smallholder beef to the commercial market coordinated by the two ministeries MTTCNVB and MALFFB.
www.malffb.gov.vu
On the island of Espiritu Santo, most successful cattle farmers are from the East coast, with reputation from being consistently supplying markets until today, despite difficulties in accessing markets such as poor husbandry production practices, high transport costs and low price incentive. Other areas/communities around Santo (Sanma Province) have considerable numbers of cattle production, however; are partly engaged in industry.
At a glance, one can argue that there is enough cattle to thrive the industry yet the two manufacturing companies based in Santo are still claiming there is shortage in supply of cattle to their meat works. So what issues are there that is limiting supply of the cattle? Are these problems on-farm? Is it about linkages to the market that requires a policy directive? Is it a market intervention? Is it something to do with the existing genetics? Do we need a research study to determine what is needed, how are we going to address these issues, who will be involved and or what collaborations is there that requires a multi-sectoral approach? These and more questions are needed to raise the need to integrate the supply chain of smallholder beef to commercial markets.
Looking back over the years, the commercial cattle industry has enjoyed maximum benefits and has made a reputation of itself, still, that image has been tainted with export of live cattle, decrease in cattle production resulting in one major manufacturing meat works in Santo to downsize its capacity due to shortage of cattle supply. This is also true for the new manufacturing meat works who currently is employing a smallholder beef cattle scheme to encourage smallholders to raise more beef cattle.
It is about high time the Goverment of Vanuatu (GoV) through the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries, Forestry and Biosecurity (MALFFB) and the Ministry of Trade, Toursim, Cooperative and Ni-Vanuatu Business (MTTCNVB) work together to address any given issues, whether on-farm, market linkages, policy directives or genetics, to better integrate the supply chain of smallholder beef to the commercial market.
There is talks of a Smallholder Beef project underway aimed at improving the supply chain of smallholder beef to the commercial market coordinated by the two ministeries MTTCNVB and MALFFB.
(Source: www.malffb.gov.vu)
For the future, there is hope again that smallholders will once again enjoy the benefits of the commercial beef cattle industry and re-live its so called "glory days" dubbed as one of the best quality beef in the world. www.malffb.gov.vu
Monday, June 23, 2014
The Gap...
Most development initiatives tend to rely on statistics or data and information as to why a "need" existed and why the help or aid would, if in some cases improve the situation. Thus development partners throughout the region and internationally carry out baseline studies to determine the gap and how their support - funds, training, research & development, out-sourcing consultants and so forth would reduce the gap.
According to the Tourism department, "Espiritu Santo is the second destination island after Efate with an estimation of 10, 000 to 12, 000 international visitors a year. This represents 13% of visitors coming to Vanuatu."
Having such reliable data, it would depict how the tourism industry would benefit from such a demand created by increasing number of tourist every year at least. The above mention example, characterize how such data can be presented as an incentive for support by development partners.
Access to such information or data also can present a road-map to which policies can complement across the productive sectors, especially the agro-tourism industry. This example of influx of visitors tabulates, for instance, a trend or demand across the Hotels & Resorts industry. Market intelligence reports, whether it is quarterly or annually, provides an insight which allows hotels & resorts to draw out menu schedules, customers preferences and farmers and traders to plan accordingly to cater for the demand by supplying vegetables, preferred root crops and fruits. Indirectly, the demand creates for farmers in the beef industry an incentive to improve their breeding and stocking programs to supply butchers who are then in-demand to supply the markets.
As it is with markets there are unpredictable trends, the Tourism department has seen the importance of keeping updated with the changes and providing information to visitors and stakeholders that are in some ways involved in the tourism industry, has set up the Sanma Information Centre (SIC) with assistance of the New Zealand government to address the "gap." The centre was open earlier this year where dignitaries from both the government and the private sector who witness the opening of this institution, which was deemed to enhance the experience visitors have when coming to Santo and give much exposure to local tour operators and other tourism entrepreneurs in the industry.
According to the Tourism department, "Espiritu Santo is the second destination island after Efate with an estimation of 10, 000 to 12, 000 international visitors a year. This represents 13% of visitors coming to Vanuatu."
Having such reliable data, it would depict how the tourism industry would benefit from such a demand created by increasing number of tourist every year at least. The above mention example, characterize how such data can be presented as an incentive for support by development partners.
Access to such information or data also can present a road-map to which policies can complement across the productive sectors, especially the agro-tourism industry. This example of influx of visitors tabulates, for instance, a trend or demand across the Hotels & Resorts industry. Market intelligence reports, whether it is quarterly or annually, provides an insight which allows hotels & resorts to draw out menu schedules, customers preferences and farmers and traders to plan accordingly to cater for the demand by supplying vegetables, preferred root crops and fruits. Indirectly, the demand creates for farmers in the beef industry an incentive to improve their breeding and stocking programs to supply butchers who are then in-demand to supply the markets.
As it is with markets there are unpredictable trends, the Tourism department has seen the importance of keeping updated with the changes and providing information to visitors and stakeholders that are in some ways involved in the tourism industry, has set up the Sanma Information Centre (SIC) with assistance of the New Zealand government to address the "gap." The centre was open earlier this year where dignitaries from both the government and the private sector who witness the opening of this institution, which was deemed to enhance the experience visitors have when coming to Santo and give much exposure to local tour operators and other tourism entrepreneurs in the industry.
 |
| The Sanma Information Centre situated right at the heart of Luganville town |
Source: Tourism department, Sanma Province
Sanma Information Centre, Luganville -
Sunday, March 2, 2014
Wealth of New Opportunities
"Vanuatu's Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector is about to experience unprecedented growth. Individuals and companies that rely on affordable, high-availability and low-latency telecommunications services will soon have a new service on their doorstep", according to Interchange - a Vanuatu-based company committed to a better future for Melanesia by providing nation-building telecommunitcations technologies and infrastructures to communities throughout the entire region.
Interchange Limited has completed installing a submarine fibre optic network (ICN1) connecting Port Vila (Vanuatu) to the Southern Cross Cable Network at Suva (Fiji) - a $30 million project involving French telecommunication corporation Alcatel - Lucent to deploy Vanuatu's first international submarine cable system. .
Now up to this point, what becomes of Vanuatu in-terms of ICTs developments? Interchange Limited's Simon Fletcher reaffirms that a pro-investment government, stable economy, warm friendly people, great climate and favorable taxation structure for business all combine to complete a compelling picture. This shows how ICTs development goes a little long way to materialize, it takes on a socio-economical perspective and political will to see change happen.
Furthermore, there has been talks of connecting Solomon Islands to the Southern Cross Network Cable via a Vanuatu - Solomon (VU-SI) project. Reaffirming its commitment to a better future for Melanesia, Alcatel has completed a commissioned Desktop Study for the second leg of the Interchange Cable Network linking Port Vila, Vanuatu to Honiara, Solomon Islands with a spur to Luganville, Espiritu Santo (Sanma Province)
Individuals, Farmers, Enterprises and Commercial entities in Sanma Province will immensely benefit from this significant boost in ICT development. Interchange predicted that with such superior infrastructure it will almost impact all sectors of Vanuatu society; including much faster download speeds for domestic internet users, and the enhanced capacity will underpin rapid developments in areas such as e-healthcare, education, business, commerce and industry, tourism, agri-tourism and agriculture and Government communications and so forth.
It seems fair to argue that farmers will definitely reap benefits from such a radical change that will impact lives right down at the community level. Market information, communication pathways and reliable data for both end users at the end of a value-chain of a particular commodity is validated, contributing to competitive, balanced and sustainable markets.
“This will be a quantum leap forward in terms of our technical ability to meet the needs of the fast growing ICT sector. It’s also the dawn of a new era for Vanuatu” Simon Fletcher. CEO Interchange.
(Source: www.interchange.vu)
Interchange Limited has completed installing a submarine fibre optic network (ICN1) connecting Port Vila (Vanuatu) to the Southern Cross Cable Network at Suva (Fiji) - a $30 million project involving French telecommunication corporation Alcatel - Lucent to deploy Vanuatu's first international submarine cable system. .
 |
| Laying of the Submarine Fibre Optic Netwrok (ICN1) off the shores of Efate, Port Vila - Mele Bay Beach Man hole to the Prime Cable Landing Station (CLS) facility |
Now up to this point, what becomes of Vanuatu in-terms of ICTs developments? Interchange Limited's Simon Fletcher reaffirms that a pro-investment government, stable economy, warm friendly people, great climate and favorable taxation structure for business all combine to complete a compelling picture. This shows how ICTs development goes a little long way to materialize, it takes on a socio-economical perspective and political will to see change happen.
Furthermore, there has been talks of connecting Solomon Islands to the Southern Cross Network Cable via a Vanuatu - Solomon (VU-SI) project. Reaffirming its commitment to a better future for Melanesia, Alcatel has completed a commissioned Desktop Study for the second leg of the Interchange Cable Network linking Port Vila, Vanuatu to Honiara, Solomon Islands with a spur to Luganville, Espiritu Santo (Sanma Province)
 |
| Installation of ICN is completed connecting Vanuatu to the SCCN - the dotted yellow line shows the next phase of the Interchange Cable Network expected to be completed by December 2014 |
Individuals, Farmers, Enterprises and Commercial entities in Sanma Province will immensely benefit from this significant boost in ICT development. Interchange predicted that with such superior infrastructure it will almost impact all sectors of Vanuatu society; including much faster download speeds for domestic internet users, and the enhanced capacity will underpin rapid developments in areas such as e-healthcare, education, business, commerce and industry, tourism, agri-tourism and agriculture and Government communications and so forth.
It seems fair to argue that farmers will definitely reap benefits from such a radical change that will impact lives right down at the community level. Market information, communication pathways and reliable data for both end users at the end of a value-chain of a particular commodity is validated, contributing to competitive, balanced and sustainable markets.
“This will be a quantum leap forward in terms of our technical ability to meet the needs of the fast growing ICT sector. It’s also the dawn of a new era for Vanuatu” Simon Fletcher. CEO Interchange.
(Source: www.interchange.vu)
Tuesday, February 11, 2014
A Step Further
 |
| Prime Minister handing over a phone to farmer, witnessed by a WV Staff |
 |
| Happy farmers with their mobile phones with the Prime Minister and his delegation |
 |
| The Prime Minister, Hon. Moana Carcasses Kalosil, a delighted farmer and the Director of the Office of Government Chief Information Office (OGCIO) |
Source:
World Vision Santo Office - Sanma Community Economic Development (SCED) project
www.facebook.com/Certlink
Wednesday, January 15, 2014
Creating a Ripple Effect
The department of Industry (DoI) under the ministry of Tourism, Trade, Commerce & Ni - Vanuatu Business (MTTCNVB) currently working on an initiative which is similiar what World Vision (WV) through its Sanma Community Economic Development (SCED) project is doing. It is a Market Information System (MIS) set to connect farmers with respect to farm activities each is focused on, whether it be Cattle, Copra, Forestry, Vegetable farming, Freshwater Prawns. WV has laid down critical ground work that should emerge as the foundation to which ICTs can paly a vital role in-terms factors affecting such commodities - prices, weather, transport and so forth.
The department is looking at connecting farmers across the province whereas WV is concentrating on the southern region, creating one less area to work with. The MIS is set as a platform where farmers and buyers or vendors can interact directly through the use of mobile devices, eliminating usual cost of transport, fluctuating weather patterns and price. It is the hope that, with such initiative farmers would greatly benefit from ICTs and many developments concerning innovative approaches to agriculture.
The MIS set-up is feature below:
The department is looking at connecting farmers across the province whereas WV is concentrating on the southern region, creating one less area to work with. The MIS is set as a platform where farmers and buyers or vendors can interact directly through the use of mobile devices, eliminating usual cost of transport, fluctuating weather patterns and price. It is the hope that, with such initiative farmers would greatly benefit from ICTs and many developments concerning innovative approaches to agriculture.
The MIS set-up is feature below:
 |
| Marketing Information System (MIS) Flow Chart |
Source:
Department of Industry - Promotion and Marketing Division
Department of Industry - Promotion and Marketing Division
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
Synergies: Moving Forward
It works for the better good if we join hands together. Among other stakeholders throughout the province, the work I have been doing as a project officer under the World Vision project has seen us worked closely with government departments.
Having market information with conditions that farmers cannot meet can be an issue, therefore, to have farmers perceive farming as a business entity, we work with the department of Ni-Vanuatu business and Cooperatives to set up Cooperative Savings and Loan Societies in communities I worked with to help farmers invest locally and cater for their financial needs.
So working together with other stakeholders not only creates synergies but a mutual relationship in this quest to empower and build the capacity of farmers to overcome challenges to markets.
Having market information with conditions that farmers cannot meet can be an issue, therefore, to have farmers perceive farming as a business entity, we work with the department of Ni-Vanuatu business and Cooperatives to set up Cooperative Savings and Loan Societies in communities I worked with to help farmers invest locally and cater for their financial needs.
So working together with other stakeholders not only creates synergies but a mutual relationship in this quest to empower and build the capacity of farmers to overcome challenges to markets.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)