Shelly-Ann Thompson, Staff Reporter 
Senator Norman Grant (left), Jamaica Agricultural Society president, inspects produce with Minister of Agriculture, Dr Christopher Tufton. Looking on is Wilford Stephenson (right), the Citrus Growers' Association's extension officer, at its pavillion on day one of the Denbigh Agricultural and Industrial Show 2008.
Jamaicans 40 years old and younger were encou-raged to become farmers with Government yesterday, which unveiled a National Young Farmers' Project on the opening day of the 56th staging of the Denbigh Agricultural and Industrial Show in Clarendon.
Minister of Agriculture, Dr Christopher Tufton, in addressing the show dubbed 'Youth in Agriculture', said Government had signed off on the project, which will be targeting 500 people.
"We are not driving anybody away, but with modern technologies in agriculture, we want young people to be more involved," Tufton said.
The minister said these 500 individuals, once within the specific age range and in possession of agricultural training, will be assisted in establishing an agriculture business.
Assistance
Assistance will be provided in the form of developing a business plan and accessing low-cost financing for establishing the venture. Already, a secretariat has been established within the ministry to spearhead the project.
Lands have also been identified in Clarendon, Trelawny and St Thomas for those who wish to enter the programme.
"These lands," said Tufton, "already have the proper agricultural infrastructure, such as irrigation, for agriculture. We want to give them a start. We want young people to look at what we have and focus their minds on how we can make that better."
Patrons
With research showing that the average age of farmers is 50 years, Tufton said in order for the sector to maintain sustainability, young people needed to be involved.
The Denbigh Agricultural and Industrial Show is being held under the theme 'Grow What We Eat, Eat What We Grow'.
Some 100,000 patrons are expected to attend the three-day event which concludes tomorrow.
Governor General Sir Kenneth Hall is slated to address today's event. opposition leader Portia Simpson Miller will also bring greetings.
shelly-ann.thompson@gleanerjm.com.
