{"id":301086,"date":"2023-04-01T10:47:44","date_gmt":"2023-04-01T14:47:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dominicanewsonline.com\/news\/?p=301086"},"modified":"2023-04-06T09:56:17","modified_gmt":"2023-04-06T13:56:17","slug":"government-earmarks-a-million-dollars-for-national-youth-in-agriculture-programme","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dominicanewsonline.com\/news\/homepage\/government-earmarks-a-million-dollars-for-national-youth-in-agriculture-programme\/","title":{"rendered":"Government earmarks a million dollars for National Youth in Agriculture programme"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Ministers at head table<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Government has earmarked one million dollars for the National Youth in Agriculture programme (NAYA) in support of young people involved in agriculture.<\/p>\n

The information was disclosed by Minister for Housing and Urban Development Melissa Poponne-Skerrit who represented Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit at the re-launch of NAYA held at the State House Conference Center on Friday.<\/p>\n

\u201cTo get them on their way the government offers startup assistance in the form of inputs, greenhouses, planting materials, and technical support,\u201d she said. \u201cWe have taken into consideration the economic constraints facing many of our aspiring farmers which restrict their participation in the sector. This includes lack of access to credit and arable land as well as technical capacity.\u201d<\/p>\n

She continued, \u201cAnd in a direct response in fiscal year 2022 -2023 the government earmarked one million dollars in support to young people with the drive and passion to set up their first farms or to modernize and expand their current farm facilities.\u201d<\/p>\n

According to her, to date with the launch of this programme the government has begun to operationalize this facility.<\/p>\n

This, Poponne-Skerrit said, represents a new platform for job creation, more youth will be able to generate gainful employment for themselves, feed their communities and earn a dignified living for their families.<\/p>\n

Minister of Culture, Youth, Sports and Community Development, Gretta Roberts said she has a deep appreciation for the impact of agriculture on rural lives and economies.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u201cIn these communities agriculture has always been the lifeblood of our local economies,\u201d she stated. \u201cI am therefore in full support of any venture, any government initiative that targets our young people and encourages them to get involved in the sector.\u201d<\/p>\n

Minister Roberts pointed out that the prominent elder farmers in these communities and across Dominica have done their share and have been major contributors to the country\u2019s economy.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut they need a new crop of young farmers with the passion, the fresh ideas, the technical skills\u2026,\u201d she noted. \u201cI look forward to the success of this programme.\u201d<\/p>\n

She continued, \u201cThe National Youth in Agriculture Programme is the ideal launchpad for the renewal, the reset of our agriculture sector.\u201d<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, NAYA was endorsed by President of the Dominica National Youth Council (DNYC), Phael Lander.<\/p>\n

He described agriculture as one of the most important sectors for creating employment, food security, sustaining rural livelihoods, and generating foreign exchange.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is a well-known fact that the backbone of our country is villages,\u201d he said. \u201cA country\u2019s rural areas depend on agriculture for their livelihood.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lander believes that the youth in Dominica must, therefore, be aware of the importance of agriculture and its various aspects.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThey should be encouraged to take up agriculture as a career,\u201d he noted.<\/p>\n

Furthermore, he pointed out that despite the rapid advancements in technological urbanization of the world, agriculture remains at the core of human existence.<\/p>\n

He said, however, the agriculture sector has often been overlooked as an area where young people may find their passion and purpose.<\/p>\n

\u201cToday I am here to inspire you to view agriculture as an opportunity, an opportunity not only for personal development but also for creating a lasting impact on society and the environment,\u201d Lander encouraged.<\/p>\n

NAYA was created in 2003 as an advocacy group to increase youth involvement in agriculture and agribusiness.<\/p>\n

Note: The full launching ceremony is provided in the link below. Compliments of GIS Facebook Page.\u00a0<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

https:\/\/fb.watch\/jDKClllcT7\/<\/a><\/p>\n