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MYDNS Continues to Train Youth and Women in Agriculture

Participants of  the Youth and Women in Agriculture Programme at the Orientation, in a photo Op with The Honourable Foster Cummings, Minister of Youth Development and National Service-MYDNS (Center) and dignitaries (l-r) Ms Raemona Braithwaite, Technical Coordinator Youth Aquaculture Programme, MYDNS,  Mr. Nigel Grimes, Technical Advisor to the Minister of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries, Dr. Omardath Maharaj, Lecturer, Faculty of Food and Agriculture, University of the West Indies, Professor Mark Wuddivira, Dean, Faculty of Food and Agriculture, University of the West Indies, Professor Clement Imbert, Member of Board of Governors, University of Trinidad and Tobago, Ms. Aneshia Beach, Programme Co-ordinator, Youth Aquaculture Project, MYDNS and Professor Ann Bissessar Life Skill Co-ordinator, MYDNS.

Over 200 young people, were today admitted into the Ministry of Youth Development and National Service (MYDNS) Youth and Women in Agriculture (YAWIA) Programmes, namely; the Youth Agricultural Homestead Programme (YHAP); the Youth Agricultural Shade House Project and the Youth Aquaculture Project.

At the Orientation held at the Dagga Auditorium, University of the West Indies, St Augustine, Youth Development and National Service Minister, the Honourable Foster Cummings stated, “We will be going into communities to encourage ‘Smart Agriculture’ among youth, and encourage them in community participation to grow fresh food.”  Minister Cummings shared that these programmes aim to empower young citizens to grow healthy food so they understand the concept, “Eat what you Grow.”

The YAWIA Programmes are the result of extensive collaborations between the MYDNS and: the University of Trinidad and Tobago; the University of the West Indies (UWI); MIC Institute of Technology; Cipriani College of Labour and Co-Operative Studies; The Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries; the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development; Carbon Zero Institute of Trinidad and Tobago (CZITT) and the National Entrepreneurship Development Company (NEDCO).

These Programmes aim to address the issues of increased food imports, reduced food security and the regression of the farming industry.  As the MYDNS collaborates with partnering agencies to combat these issues, focus will be placed on the theoretical and practical aspects of agriculture.  

The YAHP (fulltime and part-time) Programme will prepare young people 18-35 years, to become successful 21st century agri-entrepreneurs; the Youth Shade House Project will equip young people between 18-35 years with the skills and resources to develop agricultural co-operatives focused on production of high-value, short-term crops; and the Aquaculture Programme offers young people, 16-35 years, a one-year full-time training opportunity, in aquatic organism cultivation, in a controlled environment. 

In addressing the participants, Professor Marlon Knights, Professor at UTT, encouraged the youth to continue expanding their formal knowledge to the evolving environment, by engaging in geometrics production and contributing to developing the culture of agri-business.

The suite of Youth and Women in Agriculture Programmes are all certified, creating more opportunities for participants to further their studies or develop their agri-businesses.

The Ministry of Youth Development and National Service remains committed to bringing all stakeholders together to promote youth development and encourages civic-minded citizens to contribute to the National Service of Trinidad and Tobago.

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