LAUNCH AND POLICY DIALOGUE REGIONAL FAO-IFAD Project STRENGHENING DECENT RURAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUNG WOMEN AND MEN IN THE CARIBBEAN 7 - 9 September 2015 Bridgetown, Barbados Status of youth employment and participation in the agricultural sector in St. Lucia” Present by Dr. Felix Jaria Director of Agriculture
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Youth PolicyNational Youth Policy (NYP) in Saint Lucia.
It has been in place since 2001
No budget for implementation of NYP
No implementation plan for the current NYP
Currently Secured financial and technical support of the Commonwealth Secretariat in London to review the current NYP
Youth PolicyNine months consultancy to review the current NYP with the objective of developing a more relevant and proactive policy.
Rural youth is mentioned in the current NYP
Not sufficient attention was paid to this sector as well as youth in Agriculture.
Welcome any input towards this revised current NYP.
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Youth in sectorial policies
MOA -Youth in sectorial policiesBAM
Agri-enterprise for youthAgri-enterprise facilitationYouth Agri-entrepreneurial Programme
MOAPeri-Urban GardeningFarmer Certification programFarmer field schoolNational Agricultural Policy 2009-2015 –ends
Sept.Opportune time to focus on youth
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Sector programmes involving youth in
agriculture
MOA -YOUTH AGRI-ENTREPRENEURSHIP PROJECT (YAEP)
The main objective of the project:to establish a incubator program geared at promoting the involvement of 150 youth in agriculture enhance the adoption of technological advancement and competitiveness of the island’s agriculture.
Specific ObjectivesTo assist 150 young people between the ages of 18-35 years to procure:
technical, financial and other capital support to establish agricultural enterprises.
Activate the production of a range of agricultural crops on approximately 1,435 acres of over the next three (3) years,
To strengthen the linkage between tourism and agriculture.d) To introduce a land use system in St Lucia that affords succession and long term agricultural development.
Specific ObjectivesIncrease the number of commercialized farms by a further 150 to the national total,
Improve infrastructure to facilitate production and marketing of the produce from the beneficiaries,
Introduce a mentorship programme for youth agri-preneurs,
MOA - Farmer Certification Program
This activity is in collaboration with S.L.B Standards / the marketing unit / Extension Division Six week training session Six Areas of Training
Marketing Production Scheduling/ farm record keeping Pest Management / Safe use and application of pesticide GAP / Worker safety & hygiene/ Food safety & Hygiene Post Harvest Handling Cooperatives
Request the inclusion of Water resource management
Agro- Enterprise Facilitation
Facilitate rural employment Create opportunities along selected agri-value chains through agro-industrial processing and servicesEstablish a network of agricultural enterprise incubators on the island
potential agro-processors will have access to facilities develop or enhance production processes and products according to international food safety standards.
Farmer Field School
The Farmer Field School (FFS) is a group-based learning process used by a number of governments, NGOs and
international agencies to promote Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
Inter American Institute for Cooperation in Agriculture -IICA
1. Primary development objectivesA. Creation of sustainable livelihood options for youth in agricultureB. Support youth enterprise development (entrepreneurship) through capacity building, resource mobilization and technical supportC. Promote strategic linkages between agriculture, education and nutrition in demonstrating agriculture's importance to sustainable development and the achievement of development objectives such as food and nutrition security
Inter American Institute for Cooperation in Agriculture IICA
2. Types of actionsSupport to the St Lucia Agricultural Forum for Youth (SLAFY) and the Caribbean Agricultural Forum for Youth (CAFY)Youth enterprises:
Eastern Timbers (producing sustainable charcoal products); Algas Organics (Sargassum seaweed based bio-fertilizer); seedling production; crop and livestock farmers;apiculturists;
Inter American Institute for Cooperation in Agriculture IICA
2. Types of actions (Continues)Helping Out Our Primary and Secondary Schools (HOOPSS) –
promoting school farms that reinforce/improve agriculture curriculum, provide revenue to students contribute to school meals programmes
Learning experiences and advocacy Through participation in regional and international dialogues on agriculture including the Caribbean Week of Agriculture (CWA), etc.
SLAFY
SLAFY – St. Lucia Agriculture Forum For YouthEstablished in June 2002Local chapter of a regional coordinating body – CAFY
Caribbean Agriculture for YouthAims
to be a key mechanism for the involvement of youth in Commercial agricultureTo share experiences and knowledgeForster involvement in policy making and decision makingTo promote sustainable development of the agricultural sector
SALCC
Tertiary educationTraining of Youth at the
certificate, DiplomaAssociated degree
OECS and FAO
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Challenges for youth in
agriculture
Main challenges for youth in agriculture Lack of confidence shown by Government in the
agricultural sector in general
Lack of dedicated programmes to encourage and support youth involvement in agriculture,
Lack of capital and technical support for young farmers,
No mentorship programme for young agro-entrepreneurs,
Lack of technological innovations and adoption among the existing farming community as a vehicle to attracting and generating interest among the youth,
Main challenges for youth in agriculture
Shortage of academically trained and proficient farmers,
limited access to land;
inadequate access to financial services;
limited access to markets;
Difficulty in getting jobs in Agriculture – Public and Private sector