JWN Foundation (JWNF), the philanthropic arm of J Wray & Nephew, has expanded its “agro-preneurship” programme to communities within its vicinity on Spanish Town Road in St Andrew.

The foundation kick-started the programme in 2021, launching first in St Elizabeth, before expanding further in Clarendon in 2023, with the aim of bolster local farmers’ supplies, ensuring food security, and fostering economic resilience in Jamaica.

By bringing the initiative to Kingston, it aims to foster economic growth and agricultural development within the communities that are nearest its Spanish Town Road operations.

At the recent instalment of the programme, JWN Foundation distributed chicken starter kits and essential food items to over 100 farming families in both Clarendon and Kingston. This is a significant increase in the number of beneficiaries since the programme starting.

In Kingston, residents of Waterhouse, Seaview Gardens, Riverton City, and Henley Road benefitted from the distribution.

According to, Marsha Thompson, a resident from Gimme-Me-Bit in Clarendon, “This initiative has impacted my life so much because this is what I do for a living forover 5 years now and this contribution from the JWN Foundation is very timely because the last time I bought some chickens a mongoose came in and ate them all, so this is now an opportunity for me to build back. Now I can contiue to put this into my restaurant business at Vernamfield,” she explained.

CEO of the JWN Foundation Tanikie McClarthy Allen outlined that the agro-preneurship initiative started with a vision to empower community members through sustainable agribusiness practices.

“Today, we are witnessing the expansion of the fruits of our labor as more families embark on the path to self-reliance and entrepreneurial success. The expansion to Kingston is not just a milestone for us but a great signal to the opportunities for aspiring agro-preneurs across Jamaica,” she ended.

As the JWN Foundation continues to deepen its support of the Agro-preneurship program, the vision of transforming lives and communities for a better Jamaica remains at the heart of every action.

JWN Foundation enlisted Nutramix, JN Bank and HEART Trust/NSTA for the instalment of the programme.