The National Association of Youth in Agriculture (NAYA) has intentions of adopting a new approach to get more young people in Dominica interested in the field.
President of NAYA Delroy Williams says the productivity of the association has been affected by low membership in the organization.
“Within the next school year we will be focusing a lot on primary and secondary school projects to get a new core of members. Key members on the executive have gone on to study so that has affected the association over the past seven months. We are however at a building stage and looking to gather as much support as possible,” he said.
Williams said incumbent members are also cognizant of the fact that NAYA needs to step up its game.
“We know about the calls for youth involvement in agriculture. So one of the things that we are hoping to focus on is the business aspect of agriculture and how we can get young persons involved in agriculture entrepreneurship. We are also hoping to focus on small business development using our local vegetables and food,” he said.
Even if we can get young people interested in agriculture and agro tourism, many cannot find a space or a means to practice it. There ought to be a program of leasing Government land at low rates to young people who are serious about wanting to farm: perhaps a 6 month rolling lease – if no farming is taking place the land is taken back etc. Improve the profile of NAYA and DOAM, subsidise teaching, outreach experts and organise workshops to teach young people how to specialise in one or two crops rather than try to do everything, show them how to manage finances etc etc. Eco tourism is certainly important but agriculture is the backbone of the nation – without it the island risks being a house of cards – all flash on the outside, no substance on the inside. Give young people a proper future and support agriculture / agro tourism.
@emancipate your mind: it seems, though unfortunate, that the drug trade is a more lucrative business. Recent statistics revealed that many students in the secondary schools and college get involved in drugs. When pupils and students see people in public and private sector amass plenty wealth, not through hard work, tell me if they would be encouraged to go into agriculture. Because one has to decide to work hard, be patient and to take time to earn for his/her living. Agriculture is being abandoned, the older farmers who are much more patient are fed up due to lack of support from authorities and are living agriculture. The Ministries of Agriculture, Education, Trade and Private Sector must step up and give the necessary support to NAYA, otherwise Delroy, hard as you and NAYA might try, it will be an uphill battle that will never be worn, believe me. Imagine Dr. Severin of UWI strongly pointed to families condoning directly or indirectly involvement of our youth in drugs at a recent graduation ceremony. He warned that persons must do everything to curb that scourge in our country, He was bashed as though he was a national security risk. So you see where we heading. Delroy is trying his best but he needs support.
They need to put these kids to work in the field of agriculture after school as a program to instill a sense of worthwhile productivity and sense of worth. They would then be able to sell the fruits of their efforts. This might help to put into perspective the reality of life, making a living and surviving and the value of the dollar. The other alternatives are too attractive to the kids these days that want instant gratification and to do as little as possible….only leading to problems down the line.
@unellez: very simple, ful out an application form, attend meetings and be active within the organization.
@emancipate your mind:
We have been approaching the college over the past five years and more but we find that they soon lost interest once they leave the school system, especially if they are unable to find a job within the agricultural sector.
So the new approach is to target them in primary and secondary schools where we could greater influence their choice. The task is a daunting one and it’s should be a more focused and proactive one that calls for government and other NGO intervention, NAYA can’t do this alone.
We are just a group of young volunteers, some who are also very much in need of the very same assistance that we are seeking to provide so it can be a difficult situation to manage.
We need all hands on deck, that doesnt mean we have forgotten the college, it just means that we are strongly focusing on the younger children.
NAYA Member
as an agriculturalist i believe that the future of agriculture in dominica lies in the ability of the government and other interested parties to attract young persons into the field. what incentives are being given to young persons, agriculturally based youth groups and organizations in this regard? NAYA also needs to take a proactive approach in the development of its membership. I see the mention of primary and secondary school but no mention is made of the college where i believe a greater potential for returnable investment and higher impact on the sector lies.
how can i become a member …. soon to come back home