Incentives for Rural Youth in Agriculture

Contact: Primus J. Hutchinson

Thursday, April 26, 2001 – Government and the Food and Agriculture Organisation, (FAO) has combined their efforts to address Food Security and Agricultural Sustainable Development.  This is an initiative by  the two institutions to encourage rural youth to develop a greater interest in the Agricultural sector.

To this end a two day seminar was convened at the NIS conference centre Tuesday, (April 24, 2001), to expose the St. Lucian youth, who intends to take agriculture as a career, to the many possibilities existing in that field.

FAO representative, Dr. Savas Erozer, in his address at the seminar, appealed for the provision of better and more fertile lands to be made available for the youth for cultivation. Dr. Erozer cited a number of initiatives, among them, low prices for production inputs, adequate market access and attractive and cost-effective production technology  that must be considered in order to influenced the transition of the youth into sustainable agricultural development and food security.

Minister for Agriculture, Honourable Cassius Elias assured the participants that there is much to be gained  if one chose to take agriculture as a career. However, the Agriculture Minister reminded the youth of the importance of agriculture to the welfare of  this country and urged them to be focus and to apply themselves fully if they are to be successful.

Mr. Elias made special mention of two very successful local farmers, Christopher Cox and Andrew  Rigobert who in spite of the hard times have been able to make good living from agriculture.

Two other Government officials addressed the participants; the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Dr. James Fletcher and the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of  Youth  and Sports Mr. Ernest Helaire.

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