There is currently significant opportunity in the Caribbean for expanding market links and assisting farmers, fishers, and agri-food businesses to catch up with current best practices and technologies. Agriculture and agro-processing can be an important source of economic growth and a key contributor to poverty reduction if the region is successful in realizing this potential without jeopardizing its natural capital and related ecosystem services. This is especially true for households that benefit less from growth in other sectors.
Furthermore, by promoting inclusive and sustainable agricultural development, these sectors can help countries in the region overcome major socioeconomic and environmental challenges such as food and nutrition insecurity, obesity, youth unemployment, gender inequality, unsustainable natural resource use, and climate change.
In the instance of the Caribbean island of Curaçao, there is a significant push for alternative agricultural methods not only because of water and soil quality but also for food security.
In 2017, this moved the government of Curaçao to approve a policy memorandum “towards a sustainable development of agriculture, livestock, and fisheries.” The agricultural program, as outlined in the policy memorandum, entails replacing imported food with locally produced food at a rate of 5% per year for the next five years. Good quality fruits and vegetables are among the foods grown locally. And these can be cultivated in Curaçao using any technology and continuously marketed at affordable prices.
Complementing this development is the farming training program of the Institute of Professional Excellence (IPE) and the University of the West Indies (UWI) on the island. Since 2016, these institutions have been providing a training program to teach local farmers in Curaçao how to use hydroponic and syntropic farming. Over 100 farmers have been trained, resulting in several ambitious farming projects on the island.
The following three show particular potential and are looking for investors:
Zen Farm B.V.
Zen Farm B.V. is a vertical hydroponic farm that grows cold-weather crops such as carrots, cabbage, kale, and spinach for the catering industry. They are seeking investment to develop and expand the farm.
Estimated Investment Cost: US$500,000
Mode of Investment: Issue of Shares
Email: info@zenfarmcur.com
Website: www.naledo.com
Nos Kunuku B.V.
On 6000 square meters, Nos Kunuku B.V. is creating an indoor leafy green (lettuce, kale chard, rucola, microgreens, fresh chives, mint, salad, broccoli, etc.) solar-powered production facility to provide the island with fresh and healthy food alternatives. They are seeking investment for this project.
Estimated Investment Cost: US$15,000,000
Mode of Investment: Capital and/or partnership
Email: noskunuku@gmail.com
Website: www.noskunukubv.com
D’FARM
D’Farm and Local Partners are the primary vegetable suppliers for Curaçao (such as lettuce, microgreens, and fresh mints) Presently, the Curaçao local market depends on imports of these vegetables. However, as consumers are becoming more health-conscious, they are looking for locally grown produce rather than imports. D’FARM’s locally grown vegetables are available to the local market as the demand for fresh organic foods is growing. They are looking for investment to develop and expand the farm.
Estimated Investment Cost: US$15,000
Mode of Investment: Cash / Expertise
Email: info.dfarm@gmail.com
Get in touch with them today to become a part of this exciting development in AgTech in the region!
Furthermore, by promoting inclusive and sustainable agricultural development, these sectors can help countries in the region overcome major socioeconomic and environmental challenges such as food and nutrition insecurity, obesity, youth unemployment, gender inequality, unsustainable natural resource use, and climate change.
In the instance of the Caribbean island of Curaçao, there is a significant push for alternative agricultural methods not only because of water and soil quality but also for food security.
In 2017, this moved the government of Curaçao to approve a policy memorandum “towards a sustainable development of agriculture, livestock, and fisheries.” The agricultural program, as outlined in the policy memorandum, entails replacing imported food with locally produced food at a rate of 5% per year for the next five years. Good quality fruits and vegetables are among the foods grown locally. And these can be cultivated in Curaçao using any technology and continuously marketed at affordable prices.
Complementing this development is the farming training program of the Institute of Professional Excellence (IPE) and the University of the West Indies (UWI) on the island. Since 2016, these institutions have been providing a training program to teach local farmers in Curaçao how to use hydroponic and syntropic farming. Over 100 farmers have been trained, resulting in several ambitious farming projects on the island.
The following three show particular potential and are looking for investors:
Zen Farm B.V.
Zen Farm B.V. is a vertical hydroponic farm that grows cold-weather crops such as carrots, cabbage, kale, and spinach for the catering industry. They are seeking investment to develop and expand the farm.
Estimated Investment Cost: US$500,000
Mode of Investment: Issue of Shares
Email: info@zenfarmcur.com
Website: www.naledo.com
Nos Kunuku B.V.
On 6000 square meters, Nos Kunuku B.V. is creating an indoor leafy green (lettuce, kale chard, rucola, microgreens, fresh chives, mint, salad, broccoli, etc.) solar-powered production facility to provide the island with fresh and healthy food alternatives. They are seeking investment for this project.
Estimated Investment Cost: US$15,000,000
Mode of Investment: Capital and/or partnership
Email: noskunuku@gmail.com
Website: www.noskunukubv.com
D’FARM
D’Farm and Local Partners are the primary vegetable suppliers for Curaçao (such as lettuce, microgreens, and fresh mints) Presently, the Curaçao local market depends on imports of these vegetables. However, as consumers are becoming more health-conscious, they are looking for locally grown produce rather than imports. D’FARM’s locally grown vegetables are available to the local market as the demand for fresh organic foods is growing. They are looking for investment to develop and expand the farm.
Estimated Investment Cost: US$15,000
Mode of Investment: Cash / Expertise
Email: info.dfarm@gmail.com
Get in touch with them today to become a part of this exciting development in AgTech in the region!