Shaw encourages young people to think big for agriculture
MIIC Author

Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, the Hon. Audley Shaw, is encouraging young people to think big and to place more emphasis on creating products for the international marketplace.
“Our vision is to have a vibrant re-energised agricultural sector involving young creative minds and young men and women who are technologically savvy and ready to join the vanguard of entrepreneurs,” said Minister Shaw.
He was speaking at the PROPEL-organised Youth Employment Creation in Agriculture and Agro-Processing Public Forum held at the Cobbla Campus of Knox Community College in Manchester on September 7.
Minister Shaw said that Government is committed to placing the greatest emphasis on its youth in agriculture programme, noting that the draft National Youth in Agriculture Policy and Implementation Plan will be submitted to Cabinet shortly.
When approved, he said, the policy will be implemented over a 10-year period at an approximate cost of $400m, covering areas such as Agri-business Development and Value Addition, Agro-Entrepreneurship and Agricultural Education and Training.
“We want to build an entrepreneurial community among you,” the agriculture minister added, as he encouraged the young people to keep their mind focused.
In acknowledging the inadequate number of Rural Agricultural Development Authority extension officers, Minister Shaw committed to improve the services currently provided with a ratio of one RADA extension officer to some 2,000 farmers with the introduction of agricultural aides.
These agricultural aides, he said, are young people who will be trained to work along with the extension officers to expedite the spread of information to farmers.
Recent News
See all news

Posted on 25/06/2025
Jamaica Continues to Modernise Trade Systems
Jamaica continues to make significant strides in enhancing its trade environment under the World Trade Organization (WTO) Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA), with targeted reforms aimed at strengthening national competitiveness, transparency, and ...

Posted on 20/06/2025
Ministry Launches Programme to Continue Trade Reform Efforts
The Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce (MIIC) has officially launched the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) Accelerate Trade Facilitation Programme. This is to continue efforts to streamline trade processes and...

Posted on 20/06/2025
MIIC Awards J$3 Million in Grants to MSMEs at Westmoreland Business Roadshow
Westmoreland, Jamaica – June 18, 2025: The Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce (MIIC), Jamaica’s Business Ministry, delivered the 8th staging of its flagship MSME Business Roadshow at The Manning’s School in Westmoreland on Wednesday, Ju...