Jamaica Biofuels Report - Ministry of Energy

Activity 5: Best practices forbiofuel agriculture andtechnological trainingsEstablish demonstrationfarmsConduct farmer trainingworkshops at demonstrationfarm or community centerBudget (Jamaican $) Quantity Total (Jamaican $)50,000,000 12Extension workers training 13 2,530,000Extension workers salaries 800,000 4 3,200,000Extension workertransportation to farmsCommunitymeetings/discussion forumson agriculture best practicetopicsInternational exchanges forstudents and extensionworkersFund research opportunitiesand internships for studentsat the demonstration farms12 Cost is estimated for 40 farmers at 2 locations, including the land lease and preparation, nursery establishment,equipment and machinery, water storage, construction/refurbishment of a classroom, 2 farm managers and aproject manager, and classroom and office equipment.13 To independently establish a one-year training program for extension workers would cost in the region of $2.5million. If the training were divested to the Ebony Park HEART Academy, in Toll Gate, Clarendon, it would costmore than $1.1 million. Ebony Park HEART Academy serves the parishes of Clarendon, St. Catherine, and St.Elizabeth, the country’s “bread basket”. It would cost $3,000 per annum per student, as the program is heavilysubsidized by the government.81