Youths urged to treat Agriculture as a business

The agricultural sector is regarded as a very important sector in the economy of St. Vincent and the Grenadines and the wider Caribbean region.{{more}}

Speakers at the Caribbean Agricultural Forum for Youth (CAFY) Executive meeting all attested to this as they addressed a group of regional delegates.

The meeting took place on Thursday, January 21, 2010, at the Fisheries Conference Room.

Giving the feature address, Minister of Agriculture Montgomery Daniel stated that although Agriculture’s contribution to the country’s GDP has decreased, it still continues to play an important role in the economy.

Daniel discussed the many challenges faced by the agricultural sector in recent years, including the threat to many crops by diseases and the crisis in the banana industry.

Speaking to the youths assembled, Daniel told them to expect such challenges. He urged them to treat Agriculture as a business: “Your enterprise must always show at all times your returns, and equally, your profits,” Daniel advised.

He further promoted farming as valuable employment, adding that it has played a role in job creation, wealth creation and poverty alleviation.

“I have seen many farmers drive some of the better SUVs, build some of the better homes, send their children to university and live their lives to the fullest,” Daniel explained.

Delivering his address, Minister of Youth Affairs Mike Browne, echoing Daniel’s remarks, commented that often the development of the nation through Agriculture is often not recognized.

“We automatically recognize youth involvement in Sports, Education…However, there is a pause in relation to the development of youths as it relates to Agriculture.”

Browne also emphasized that Agriculture plays a critical role in the reduction of poverty, the increase of wealth and “more importantly the reduction of rural to urban migration.”

President of CAFY Desiree Balcombe explained that the institution was formed in 2002 to facilitate the involvement of youth in the advancement of the agriculture sector. Balcombe added that transformation of the agriculture sector into one which is viable, attractive, and has multiple opportunities depends on strong regional co-operation.

The aim of the meeting was to review the CAFY constitution and craft relevant plans and work programmes for the 2010/2011 year. Also present at the meeting were IICA representative Una May Gordon, CAFY members from several Caribbean countries and members of the SVG Agricultural Forum for Youth.