Minister De Freitas: “Key to modernising and sustaining the agricultural sector is the infusion of youth and technology”

Minister De Freitas: “Key to modernising and sustaining the agricultural sector is the infusion of youth and technology”

 

Young people have the potential to change the narrative of agriculture as they possessed the “kind of vibrance and new ideas” which, when mixed with traditions that have been well-developed within the sector, can lend itself to sustainable development and food security for all. Such was the hope of the Minister in the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries, Senator the Honourable Nigel de Freitas, as he addressed the orientation of some two hundred (200) participants of the Youth Agriculture Homestead Programme (YAHP) on Friday 13th May, 2022.

The event, which was hosted by the Ministry of Youth Development and National Service (MYDNS), took place at the Government Campus Plaza Auditorium in Port of Spain. It was attended by the: Minister of Youth Development and National Service, the Honourable Foster Cummings; Minister of Education, the Honourable Dr. Nyan Gadsby-Dolly; Minister in the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, the Honourable Adrian Leonce and; Permanent Secretary (MYDNS), Mr. Farook Hosein.

In his presentation, Minister De Freitas praised the YAHP participants, whom by their decision to enroll in the Programme, made a conscientious choice to contribute to the development of our nation through agriculture. This, according to him, signaled one of the greatest acts of growth, selflessness and humility that one can engage in. Further, he urged participants to see agriculture not simply as a chosen vocation but more so, as a business enterprise with the capacity to revolutionise the sector as we know it.

The Minister said: “The agriculture sector is now being modernised as we have a lot of young people interested in bringing the technology into agriculture through advanced hardware and software applications which only serve to develop the sector by making it more attractive and less labour intensive and thus, bring us closer to that level of food security we can all take pride in.”

“The Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries stands ready to work with the MInistry of Youth Development and National Service and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development through its Land Settlement Agency, to ensure that all two hundred (200) participants are successful,” he added.

Aimed at positioning agriculture as a viable career option for our nation’s youth, the YAHP specifically targets Trinidad and Tobago nationals between the ages of 18 and 35 years. Participants of this two (2)-year programme will benefit from one (1) year of theoretical training and one (1) year of practical agricultural training. At the conclusion of the first year, successful trainees will be provided with access to land and a starter home, as well as the necessary technical and financial support to enable them to become successful 21st century agribusiness entrepreneurs.