President of the National Association for Youths in Agriculture (NAYA) Delroy Williams has called upon authorities to provide further assistance in getting youths involved in agriculture.
Williams, who spoke at the start of a greenhouse training program at the Public Service Union this morning, said while many young persons are interested in agriculture, they lack the know-how successfully to do so.
“How do we turn enthusiasts into actual practitioners? Definitely there is this need right now…to ensure that we can get young persons on the farms producing crops for both the local market and export markets,” he said
“NAYA would like to call on the relevant authorities to initiate a particular program that is targeted at getting new entrants into agriculture- one that looks at land and allocation, land bank, particularly for young farmers,” Williams stated.
Williams proposed specialised funding and training in interest areas such as greenhouse, livestock and agro processing.
He mentioned a few young farmers in Portsmouth and La Plaine who will soon receive specialized greenhouse allocation training. However, Williams said that there is a need for young farmers to know how to apply the knowledge gained in educational institutions into their practical farming practices.
“There is the need also to marry that agriculture production and research with what the learning institutions in Dominica are doing because we know the fact that the Dominica State College and a number of high schools have protected agricultural systems within the school,” he said.
“How do we get those systems here to be more of an encompassing learning environment where the students can come in and learn about biology, learn about entomology and other sciences and relate agriculture to what they are doing within the classroom?” he asked.
He called on officials to find ways to incorporate agriculture in as many subjects being taught in primary and secondary schools as possible.
I think all the help that can be given to all farmers particularly the young is welcomed. The legacy handed down from older farmers is not always rosy but it is shameful that an industry that housed, fed and schooled so many of us is languishing in neglect.
There needs to be more emphasis on farming as a business. Young people need to see the venture as one similar as opening a small ice cream parlor. I think the way to go is agriculture but the superstructure in Dominica does not appreciate farmers very well. they had too much money could send their children to universities all over the world and used to buy brand new hilux cash.
We should never give up though. We were blessed with that rich soil for a purpose.
ok i like that,,,so no more excuses bout young people dont wanna toil the land,,,,,i hope the relevant authorities take heed n give we the young people the much needed assistance
Hey Bro…why not take that 27 million dollars destined for the state house to assist with agriculture
what kind of foolishness has dominican suddenly bestowed on themselves in a honouray way!
This Labour Government is too damm corrupted….but NAYA you can preach till kingdom come
nothing will bear fruit once this bunch of jokers who are Labour stay in power…
Farmers are so damm broke…they can even partake and also their friends in much of the extra activities for the creole times…what a shame….didnt we boast that we doing well last year better than other islands…..we are too easily fooled by blind folks in Government…
Agriculture seemed to be taking a downward movement in Dominica. I am happy that a new association in Agriculture was formed to address the concern of young farmers. I hope that the young famers will work in collaboration to bring back a vibrant agriculture sector in Dominica.
CAN WE THE POOR PEOPLE OF THIS ISLAND THRUST MR.WILLIAMS ????.THERE IS SO MUCH BLUFFING GOING ON. BUT HE SOUND SINCARE. HOW WE DO NOT KNOW ABOUT THE TRAINING PROGRAM AT PUBLIC SIRVICE VENUE???? WHAT WILL IT TAKE TO PASS THROUGH THE GHETTO AND GET A FEW OF US INVOLVE,SO WE CAN GET BIG HOUSE AND 4X4 TOO. WHAT ABOUT THE GIVEING THE BRAKE TO THE YOUTHS IN JAIL ???? MOST OF THEM COMMING OUT TO TRY THE WRONG THINGS AGAIN,WHY NOT GIVE THIS GREAT OPPERTUNITY TO SOME OF THEM.MR.WILLIAMS OUR YOUTHS NEED YOUR HELP.
good stuff
Delroy we want u for our next PM…I will be your campaign manager…to little emphasis is being placed on agriculture which is and will continue to be our bread and butter…the world needs farmers…processed foods not good…