Cedric Hanson (right) of Northern Caribbean University explains his clay pot irrigation technology to the Hon Audley Shaw (3rd left), Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, and Knox Community College students (from left) Brittany Campbell and Shanice Wander at the Youth Employment Creation in Agriculture and Agro-Processing Public Forum, held at the Cobbla Campus of Knox Community College in Manchester on September 7. The forum explored economic opportunities available in agriculture for young people.
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.
