Roseau, Dominica: Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries Blue and Green Economy of Dominica launched Youth in Agriculture with an initiative to incentivize young farmers and professionals to get more involved in the sector.
Ministry of Agriculture added, “Last Friday, the Ministry officially presented to the general public the plans for the Youth in Agriculture with an initiative to incentivize young farmers and professionals to get more involved in the sector.”
Over the past five (5) years the agricultural sector’s economic contribution to GDP a value of XCD 284.53 in 2022 up from XCD 179.95 in 2018.
Dominica’s economic growth has always been based on the utilization of its natural and human resources. One of the main resource issues that threaten the performance of the agricultural sector is the level of participation of youth in agricultural, fisheries and agribusiness activities.
The 1995 Agricultural Census reported that only four per cent (4%) of all farmers at that time were under the age of 25, while thirty-six per cent (36%) were over the age of The average age of farmers in Dominica is estimated to be above 60 years today with the majority of active farmers entering the sector by default without a clear intention to farm and without the requisite skills, knowledge, education and training to make a significant impact on the sector.
Youth in Dominica forms part of a vibrant and creative culture and if engaged can offer innovative strategies and solutions for the sustainable development of the country as a whole.
Reinvigorating agriculture through the creative vision of youth and the development of vibrant leadership in the Agricultural Sector is critical for the way forward if agriculture is going to be transformed to achieve the national targets set and to be perceived by the youth as a “prosperous and entrepreneurial” profession.
The Government through the Environment, Rural Modernization, Kalinago Upliftment and Constituency Empowerment with grant funding from the Global Environmental Fund (GEF) will soon commence the implementation of the Leveraging Eco-tourism for Biodiversity Protection Project.
