Vincyklus launches membership drive

VINCYKLUS INC, the only agribusiness and agro-processing cluster in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, said it is embarking on a membership drive which started on March 15.

The organisation is doing this by making contact with potential members and those whose engagements may have fallen off.

The Cluster’s secretary general, Nisha Glasgow also said that persons may also contact the Vincyklus secretariat by calling 526-1272 or via e-mail at: vincyklus@gmail.com.

Vincyklus was launched in September 2010 and was built on the platform of improving agricultural livelihoods by strengthening linkages within the agribusiness value chain; giving effect to initiatives geared towards enhancing competitiveness of agro-processors; providing investment support in improving members’ capacity for successful agro-processing and value addition by enabling access to resources/services that are responsive to the needs and aspirations of the firms within the cluster in a manner that is non-profit, non-sectarian and non-political and increasing return to the agro-processors and by extension to the farmers of St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG). Its membership comprises a group of individuals, enterprises, institutions and agencies that constitute the value chain for the agribusiness development in the country, a Vincyklus release states.

Glasgow, explained that the membership drive is one of several initiatives included in a strategic plan developed by the cluster’s Board of Directors last year to be implemented over the next five years. The aim is to attract new persons, enterprises, institutions, agencies, technologies, and investors to expand and improve the cadre of its membership.

“This is very important in achieving the core values and objectives of the organisation, thus several activities have been planned to make this possible and the Board of Directors is encouraging stakeholders such as agro-processors, farmers, input suppliers, potential agro-processors and youths to join the organisation in making the economy of St Vincent and the Grenadines a more viable and sturdy one by attending and actively participating in the scheduled activities”.

According to Glasgow, over the years the cluster has been developing the clustering initiative in SVG but has recognised that Vincentian enterprises frequently lack critical mass and suffer from an absence of trust, connections to local “knowledge and talent providers” and confidence at the all-important local level.

“Collaboration does not come easily to many SMEs firms or support organisations, and this may have its roots in the historic association of collaboration with the oppression of former experiences,” she pointed out. “However, surviving in the global economy, the knowledge era is all about speed, flexibility, adaptability, quality, innovation, networks and critical mass. This new style of doing business demands a team approach at a local level – a clustering approach!”

Glasgow further outlined that the philosophy of clustering is based on the core principles of integration of activities and collaboration of members for mutual benefit.The cluster theory therefore emphasises the role of networks and relationships between the various parts of a cluster.

She noted that the benefi ts of being part of the cluster are at the individual firm, sector/regional and the wider economy levels, and members of Vincyklus Inc. have been able to take advantage of opportunities that they could not achieve alone.

“These include inclusive marketing linkages to local, regional and international markets through trade shows, training and networking; reduction of the costs and risks and adapt rules and standards to the local context (central facility); and allow for businesses to quickly adjust and develop appropriate responses to innovation, technological development, and evolving consumer expectations (e-commerce, joint marketing platform).”