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
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