Hugh Martin IN MY column of October 17, 'Youth and Agriculture', I incorrectly attributed the agricultural census conducted every 10 years to the Data Bank of the Ministry of Agriculture. Mr. Michael Price, Head of the Data Bank, gently reminded me as soon as it appeared, that it is done, as are all other censuses, by the Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN). His department assists but cannot take the credit. STATIN was gracious in not making a complaint.
I was somewhat surprised at the number of other comments received about the topic all of which tending to support the argument that there are more young people involved in agriculture than we are admitting. One reader wanted to know how I could have failed to mention the Macnie/Douglas Castle area on the border of Clarendon and St. Ann, which rivals south St. Elizabeth in vegetable production. Another pointed out that Trelawny was right up there with the other parishes with large numbers of young people in farming. I guess the 2006 census will throw up the true standings.
A YOUNG PERSON'S OUTLOOK
There is one comment, though, which I wish to share as it comes from a young man studying overseas who seems very passionate about the issue. The following is a portion of his e-mail message:
"I am a 28-year-old young professional in the agri-sector, although not active in the field. I am a past student of the Elim Agricultural School and a graduate from the Eastern Caribbean Institute of Agriculture and Forestry (Trinidad and Tobago), where I studied general forestry. I read your article today in The Gleaner entitled 'Youth and Agriculture', and I share the same sentiments that there are more youth in agriculture than is perceived. However, I am of the opinion that there are many more who would want to enter the profession in a more meaningful way but because of lack of support infrastructure loan, land tenure, capital, etc., more are shying away. Knowledge is not lacking but the investment in technology is lacking and the confidence in our youth. I would like to go into agriculture in some serious way but no lending institution has the confidence in me without assets to secure a loan even though I have the necessary acumen to be successful in that field.
"I have personally set out to change that perception. I am presently enrolled in the M.Sc. programme that UWI, St Augustine is offering in Agriculture and Rural Development I will not give up because I want to be a part of the change to bring back Jamaica to its former glory. I hope to do this by writing policies that will ensure that agriculture will not be seem as a profession for retired or geriatric farmers but a lucrative profession that has always attracted the bright minds in our society."
LISTENING TO THE YOUTHS
Such determination is what fuels nation-building and should be encouraged. Our policy and decision-makers should seek out and listen to the voice of young people such as this and perhaps their programmes and projects would meet with more success. I say this bearing in mind that one of the responses I got was from the Minister of Finance, Dr. Omar Davies. He informed that he had instructed the Sugar Company of Jamaica, which falls under his ministry, to ensure that young persons be involved in at least 20 per cent of the lands in the crop diversification pilot project at Hampden Estate. This was good news and will help to enhance that reader's claim about Trelawny's ratings in the numbers of youth by parish.
The youths that want to be involved in agriculture would naturally be those with varying levels of training as the young man above and those leaving institutions like the College of Agriculture, Science and Education, HEART'S Ebony Park Academy and finally the Jamaica 4-H Clubs. I promised last time that I would look a little closer at this 60-odd-year-old institution and having done that, I must admit that I am impressed with the tremendous amount of training that is taking place quietly and without fanfare.
There are presently over 650 registered clubs within the network involving over 40,000 young people from ages nine to 25 and more than 5,000 volunteers and leaders. The majority of these are within the schools islandwide but a considerable number of over 18-year-olds receive training at the 12 training centres throughout the country. Crop and livestock production training begins from the school garden stage and continues through projects like the goat and dairy revolving schemes, agro-processing, craft manufacturing and tractor driving and maintenance, to name a few.
Many clubbites move on to tertiary institutions to continue their training and education as a result of the numerous scholarships sourced and provided by the movement. In this way is guaranteed a steady supply of highly-trained and motivated young people ready to embark on a career in agriculture. All they need is the opportunity to get started and we could witness a revolution in agricultural production fuelled by the energy and enthusiasm that is possessed only by the young.
Hugh Martin is a communication specialist and farm broadcaster. E-mail: humar@cwjamaica.com
