The Ministry of Youth Development and National Service (MYDNS) is happy to officially launch the application process for the first Youth Agricultural Homestead Programme (YAHP) cohort. The MYDNS has developed a simple, online application process via www.mydns.gov.tt. Through this application and selection process, one hundred and fifty (150) young people will be granted the opportunity to be part of the first cohort of this programme and contribute to the Agricultural sector in Trinidad and Tobago.
This according to the Honourable Foster Cummings, Minister of Youth Development and National Service as he gave the Feature Address at the Media Launch of the YAHP Application Form on Tuesday 1st March, 2022 at the Auditorium Restaurant and Lounge, Government Campus Plaza, Port of Spain.
YAHP, a programme of the Ministry of Youth Development and National Service, is open to young women and men between the ages of 18 and 35. It is an agricultural training programme intended to equip young people with the skills to become successful 21st century agribusiness entrepreneurs. Year 1 will offer comprehensive training in crop production and animal husbandry. On completion, successful trainees will gain access to land, technical and financial support, to prepare for the second year of training. Year 2 will offer practical training on the land assigned to each trainee. On completion of year 2, successful trainees would move to become land lease holders and graduate as a new 21st century farmer.
The Honourable Adrian Leonce, Minister in the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development was also present and said, “The Ministry is encouraged by this programme because it is a step in the right direction to awaken enthusiasm for agriculture in our young people.”
Senator the Honorable Clarence Rambharat, Minister of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries gave a comprehensive background on the work the Government has done in the agriculture sector. “Today we launch a beautiful opportunity for homesteading – which comes from a long history of housing and provision of agricultural land by the Government. This programme is a refreshed approach that gives young people the ability to farm and make a profit while they live on the land,” explained Minster Rambharat.
The event included a presentation on the YAHP Application Process which showed the ease with which interested young women and men could apply. Online applications for YAHP are open from Tuesday 1st March – Monday 14th March, 2022.
Also speaking at the ceremony was Mr. Farook Hosein, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youth Development and National Service. The ceremony ended with a taste of carnival as Soca artistes Andre ‘Viking Ding Dong’ Houlder and Mical Teja performed.
The Ministry of Youth Development and National Service remains committed to working with key stakeholders to promote youth development and encourage civic-minded citizens to contribute to National Service across Trinidad and Tobago.
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