ST GEORGE’S – The Ministry of Agriculture and Lands Fisheries and Cooperatives has prioritized youth and their involvement in Agriculture, Fisheries and Agri-business, having launched the new, “Young Entrepreneurs, Farmers and Fishers in Agriculture and Agri-business Project,” which is expected to mobilize underemployed and unemployed youths to help them to reach their full potential in the sector. The project was launched on Friday 24th, February 2023 at the Canal, Bailles Bacolet, St. David.
The Young Entrepreneurs, Farmers and Fishers in Agriculture and Agri-business Project, is made possible with support funding by the CARICOM Development Fund, at an estimated cost of US One Million, Three-Hundred and Thirty-Eight Thousand and Five Hundred Dollars ($1,338,500.00US).
Through this initiative approximately 300 young farmers, fishers and agro-processors will now be placed at the center of Government’s transformational agenda; improving their livelihoods and contributing to Grenada’s food Production.
Young Farmer Floyd Thomas, spoke of the timeliness of such a project and called on other young farmers to utilize opportunities available under this project.
“I would like to see my country as one of the leading economies in the Caribbean among our peers; we have all we need to work in unison but need to maximize opportunities like these to reach our full potential,” Thomas explained.
The main objective of this project is to support the development of a cadre of young entrepreneurs, farmers, and fishers in Grenada in the fields of agriculture and agribusiness. The project according to Hon. Lennox Andrew- Minister for Economic Development, Planning, Tourism, ICT, Creative Economy, Agriculture & Lands, Fisheries & Cooperatives, says the project addresses and creates the conditions for an increase in national production- goods and services related to the agricultural sector,” and greater access to them.
As the ministry tries to address the aging farming population, effects of COVID-19 and impacts of the Russia- Ukraine war, Minister with responsibility for Agriculture and Lands, Fisheries and Cooperatives, Senator Adrian Thomas said this project will help young farmers recognize and treat agriculture as a lifetime investment.
Minister Thomas stated “We can look forward, to a diversified sector, modern farming practices, new varieties of crops, new breeds of animals and ultimately a reduction in rural urban migration and social problems.”
“This also enables our young people to see and appreciate it as a commercial venture, a profitable business and a lifetime investment,” he added.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Lands, Fisheries and Cooperatives is the implementing agency of the Three year Pilot Project and will be working closely with the Ministry with responsibility for Youth, Sports, and Culture, the Grenada Development Bank, the Grenada National Training Agency, and others to implement this project.
Lennox Forte, Director of the Regional Development Division of the CDF, explains that the organization became involved with the project in 2020, after they wrapped up a similar intervention in St. Lucia, where several young farmers and other agri-stakeholders benefitted. The Government of Grenada signed both grant and loan agreements with the CARICOM Development Fund for the project in May 2022. Forte said that “The concessionary loan of 500,000 US Dollars, will establish a credit facility to support people that graduate from trainings under this project, as well as those who have existing businesses- who wish to be entrepreneurs, who will be able to burrow as individuals, cooperatives or sole proprietors.”
The project includes capacity development for Extension staff at the Ministry of Agriculture, young Farmers and Agri business entrepreneurs. The Ministry is hopeful that 100 agricultural related businesses or enterprises will be established or improved through this Youth in Agriculture, Fisheries and Agri-business project.
Project Officer Lawrancia Augustine, says the Ministry is hopeful that, “the number of young people in the agricultural sector will be significantly increased, with beneficiaries will invest profits in their businesses to expand, hire other young people and attract investors.”
The overall objective of this project is to address export competitiveness for fresh and processed foods, as well as increase the agriculture sector’s contribution to national food security.
Ministry of Agriculture and Lands, Fisheries and Cooperatives…ensuring food and nutrition security for all!
