Introduction

TEAM  SYNDICATE 

The purpose of  Team Syndicate's presentation is to provide an overview of the challenges and opportunities for youth in agriculture in St. Lucia;  as well as a cursory look at the policy environment for rural and  agricultural development in the OECS and the wider CARICOM region.

Using the knowledge and skills that we have acquired through Web 2.0 Learning this week, we are providing insights and recommendations that are focused on increasing participation in agricultural activities by young people between the ages of 15 -30. 

Our presentation provides a conceptual overview and an indication of ongoing initiatievs at the national level that are geared to stimulating interest and encouraging the participation of youth in agriculture. 

Team Syndicate is of the view that youth involvement on agriculture is critical and necessary to the process of ensuring the sustainability of agricultural production and rural livelihood systems, as well as  food and nutrition security.

Engaging Youth in Agriculture in St. Lucia

Agriculture in the 21st Century faces numerous challenges, both global and local. On the global scale, Globalization and Trade Liberalization poses tremendous threat to the survivability and sustainability of the agricultural sector in Developing and Less Developed Countries. On the local scale, one of the greatest challenges facing the Agricultural Sector is that of aging farmers. Research has shown that in St. Lucia and the Eastern Caribbean, the average age of farmers range between 45 and 55years. (see agriculture census 2007:2007 St. Lucia Census of Agriculture ).

Having realized this as a great threat, the Government of St. Lucia in 2011 launched an Initiative called the Youth Agri-Entrepreneurial Project (YAEP). The project seeks to attract individuals between ages of 18 to 35 who are unemployed and landless with special emphasis on agricultural graduates of the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College. Under the project, the Government has allocated one thousand acres of agricultural lands across the island in Roseau, Augier, Beausejour, River Doree and the Mabouya Valley. (See map below ).

View Selected Areas for the Agri-Entrepreneurial Project in a larger map   

According to a press release from the St. Lucia Government Website, " The Youth Agri-Entrepreneurial Project is funded through, a CARICOM Development Fund and is valued at 3.66 billion EC dollars.  Two hundred and forty thousand dollars has already been allocated to this initiative by the Minister of Finance, and an additional 1.7 million dollars contribution from the local private sector."

It is expected that the project foster a commercialized agri-business approach to agriculture instigated by vibrant youthful individuals. 

For more information contact the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Production, Fisheries and Rural Development. Ministry of Agriculture, Food production, Fisheries and Rural Development