The Ministry of Youth Development and National Service welcomed its first cohort of one hundred (100) young people to its Youth Agricultural Shade House Project (Shade House Project) on Thursday 13th October, 2022 at the Daaga Auditorium, University of West Indies, St. Augustine. The Shade House Project is a one year full-time programme designed to equip nationals between 16 and 35 years with skills to produce high-value, short-term crops. On completion of the programme, participants will be awarded a Certificate in Shade House Production from the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine.
The Honourable Foster Cummings, Minister of Youth Development and National Service in his feature address affirmed, “The Ministry recognises the importance of youth participation in agriculture for its continuity and growth within Trinidad and Tobago. Through this programme, the Ministry will support agro-agents of change and maintain high levels of innovation, passion and youth leadership within the agriculture sector.”
Dr. the Honourable Nyan Gadsby-Dolly, Minister of Education echoed the Youth Minister’s sentiments, “I must congratulate those who have made the Shade House Project possible. The movement of food sustainability must be driven by Generations Y and Z. With innovation, motivation and investments like these, food security will be realized.”
Also speaking at the event were Mr. Farook Hosein, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youth Development and National Service (MYDNS); Mrs. Gachelle Gilkes Edwards, Programme Coordinator, Programme Implementation Unit, MYDNS and Dr. Mark Wuddivira, Dean – Faculty of Food and Agriculture, University of the West Indies, St Augustine.
The Shade House Project is being implemented in collaboration with the Co-operative Republic of Guyana’s National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute, the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine and the Land Settlement Agency. The one hundred (100) selected participants will receive practical training at the Chaguaramas Development Authority (CDA) and will be exposed to an Agricultural Co-operative model for the production and sales of high value short term crops for the hospitality, health care and fast food sectors.
The Ministry of Youth Development and National Service remains committed to advancing the lives of our young people by providing programmes and services that cater to their personal and professional development.
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