The Eden Street Chicken Farmers Initiative is a sustainable livelihood project designed to create thriving households in the New Green community of Manchester, Jamaica. By combining training, mentorship, and economic support, this initiative empowers local farmers to earn stable incomes and build long-term financial independence.
WHY THIS PROJECT
MATTERS
Following a community asset-mapping exercise, Eden Street identified three critical challenges facing families in New Green:
- HIGH Unemployment
Limited job opportunities prevent families from earning stable incomes and achieving long-term financial security.
- Inadequate Skills Training
Without certified training, community members struggle to access sustainable work or grow profitable small businesses.
- Low Literacy and Numeracy
Weak literacy and numeracy skills reduce earning potential and limit the ability to manage and grow livelihoods effectively.
These challenges limit earning potential and trap households in cycles of economic insecurity.Eden Street’s Chicken Farmer’s Initiative directly addresses those challenges by equipping families with practical skills, reliable income opportunities, and the support needed to succeed.
HOW IT WORKS
Eden Street is launching a pilot programme with five local chicken farmers, known as satellite farms. Each participating farmer receives:
Upgraded chicken housing
Access to clean water systems
Proper waste management solutions
Training & certification in broiler production, business management, and entrepreneurship
Ongoing mentorship that leads to formal business registration and long-term profitability
THE ANCHOR FARM MODEL
At the heart of this initiative is Eden Street’s anchor farm. This central farm generates income to sustain future development work while supporting satellite farmers through training, research, and access to markets.
The anchor farm will serve as a retail hub where satellite farmers can sell mature birds, engage in value-added production such as smoked chicken, and benefit from shared resources. This model strengthens the entire farming ecosystem while reducing risk for individual farmers.
A Proven and Growing Market
Chicken is one of the most affordable and widely consumed proteins in Jamaica. Small farmers already contribute nearly 40 percent of national chicken production, and the poultry sector continues to grow steadily each year.
A single farmer raising 200 chickens over a six-week cycle can earn over JMD $90,000 in profit. By year three, expanding to 500 birds per cycle can support a household of four at minimum wage levels. This makes poultry farming one of the most practical and scalable solutions for sustainable livelihoods in rural communities.
Chicken Farmers Initiative
Learn more about the vision, structure, and impact potential of the Chicken Farmers Initiative. Watch the documentary and download the full presentation to explore how this program creates sustainable livelihoods and strengthens food security in the New Green community.
3-YEAR ROADMAP
By supporting the Chicken Farmers Initiative, you are investing in food security, economic independence, and generational change in New Green. Together, we can create livelihoods that last.
Year 1: Establish & Train
Donor support establishes farms, provides training, and covers essential first-year operating costs.
Year 2: Reinvest & Save
Farmers reinvest earnings, build compulsory savings, and increase production for long-term stability.
Year 3: Expand & Thrive
The anchor farm strengthens markets, lowers costs, and supports sustainable growth for farming families.