Sweet Success for this Dominican Republic Entrepreneur
Honey bee business buzzes with the sounds — and tastes — of a brighter future
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The Dominican Republic is recognized for its beautiful white beaches, all inclusive hotels, smiling and friendly Dominicans, and for many American tourists, being a few, short hours away from the United States. Right in the middle of this paradise, you find the Pico Duarte, the highest peak in the Caribbean area, and Jarabacoa, a municipality from La Vega province. Piedra Blanca de Hatillo, also in Jarabacoa, offers cooler weather year-round, contrasting the hot and sunny weather you find in the coastal area. It is in this lovely town where Josefina Trinidad lives.
In 2018, Josefina was an enthusiastic high school senior but had problems attending school because she was struggling financially. The oldest of three children, her situation was also complicated by the fact her small town has limited job opportunities.
“Life in the countryside is a bit hard and lacking since you are far from the city and opportunities. I had no bees before, and there were economic problems as job opportunities are scarce,” she says.
However, that year Josefina learned of a USAID training program on income generation through sustainable agribusiness. Having grown up in a farming community, Josefina realized this could be the opportunity she needed to become an entrepreneur.
“Alba Marmolejos contacted me, because she has known me through my father for a long time. She told me that there was training for young people, that she trusted me and that she wanted me to participate. I decided to participate because I have always liked to learn a little about everything and because I identify a lot with the countryside, [and] nature” she says.
During her training, she learned valuable information on organic inputs production, agribusiness management, and best practices in sustainable agriculture. However, there was one topic she was especially drawn to: beekeeping.
Why beekeeping?
“I identify with them and I admire their work,” Josefina explains. “Let’s say that my motivation comes from inheritance since my father also likes bees. He had 30 barrels and currently we work together with my bees. They are the most important living being on the planet that we must care for, protect and conserve to avoid their extinction. They mean hard work, care, effort, and improvement.”
“Agriculture plays a crucial role in a country’s economy: it is the backbone of our economic system. It not only provides food and raw materials, but also job opportunities, since millions of people work in the sector.”
Josefina received support to manage her first beekeeping operation through the USAID Feed the Future Climate and Agriculture Program, which helped develop youth’s skills to establish small environmentally sustainable agribusinesses in the area. While Josefina focused on beekeeping, the program offered participants other training opportunities as well, such as production of organic production, worm culture, hydroponic cultivation of strawberries, and agribusiness administration.
At the beginning, Josefina had one beehive, but she had bigger plans. Today, she owns nine beehives, which have allowed for increased honey production and sales. Now she has produced 30 gallons of honey since she started beekeeping, selling to customers in the local community.
As the worry over her and her family’s financial situation diminished, she flourished. She finished school and began contributing to her family’s livelihood through the bees and the honey she has produced.
USAID’s Climate and Agriculture Program, known now as the Locally-Led Water Security Initiative, used a multi pronged approach to address several pressing issues in the Dominican Republic, such as climate variability, natural resource management.
This program also supported small business initiatives, especially for women and young adults, to strengthen communities. While the project concluded this summer, Dominicans continue to reap the benefits. USAID helped community members learn practices that help preserve natural resources and improve farming practices, training more than 1,300 people in improved farming technology, management, and other practices to make their businesses more productive and lucrative.
USAID believes the youth are the future of the Caribbean, and we’re proud to help young people like Josefina reach their potential.
“Giving thanks once is not enough. I put all my effort and interest, but without all of you none of this would have been possible. Today I am very happy but above all grateful — I have my own home business,” says Josefina.
Josefina is an example of how, when the United States and Dominican Republic work together, we can have a profound, positive effect on peoples’ lives. Together, we can expand economic opportunities, build stronger and more vibrant communities, and strengthen resilience to disasters in the Caribbean.
About the Author
Brenda Silverio is the Social Media Specialist at USAID’s Mission in the Dominican Republic. Fundación REDDOM also contributed to this story.
