The first Organization of the Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Youth in Agriculture Symposium will be hosted in Dominica by the government of Dominica through the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Blue and Green Economy. The theme for the symposium is “Growing the Future and Harvesting Dreams.”
Petra Grell-Shillingford, the Communications Officer in the Ministry of Agriculture, spoke with Dominica News Online (DNO) and mentioned that the aim of the OECS-led Youth in Agriculture Symposium is to raise awareness among young individuals involved in the agriculture sector. These individuals play a crucial role in ensuring food security and access to processed commodities, as they represent the future of agriculture.
“The Minister of Agriculture, following his OECS meeting of Ministers of Agriculture, conceived this idea, and now we are working towards its realization. Youth from the eight OECS territories will come together to collectively channel their thoughts and energies into preparing a declaration that will serve as a guiding document for the youth’s aspirations in agriculture. This declaration will address various aspects such as access to land, credit, market creation, and the utilization of innovation in agriculture,” she explained.
According to Grell-Shillingford, one of the highlights of the activity is a Trade Fair at the Windsor Park forecourt, where several young people from Dominica and the OECS, along with partners, will showcase their creations, businesses, and commodities. Representatives of farmers, fishers, and processors, all within the age range of 18 to 35, will join the participants from Dominica within the sector. Additionally, there will be plenary sessions, discussions, a children’s zone, workshops, and field trips during that time. The OECS Youth in Agriculture Symposium will be held August 7-9, 2024, at the Windsor Park Sports Stadium between 10 am to 6 pm.
“We are encouraging the general public to show the young people some sort of support and to really participate in all the activities planned,” Grell-Shillingford expressed.
Several organizations have partnered with the OECS Youth in Agriculture Symposium, including the National Development Foundation of Dominica (NDFD), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), and IICA.
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