Youths, Farmers and Agricultural Professionals of Moruga and environs met with the Ministry of Youth Development and National Service (MYDNS) on Saturday 18th September, 2021 to share their opinions and views on the Moruga Farm School. The Moruga Farm School will encourage young people to participate in technical and vocational education and training in Agriculture though a residential training institution for an estimated 150 students.
“The Ministry of Youth Development and National Service is determined to provide the 500,000 plus young people of Trinidad and Tobago with agricultural opportunities to realise their fullest potential. This Farm School will introduce modern technology to farming practices and allow young people to utilise these in their farming endeavours,” explained the Honourable Foster Cummings, Minister of Youth Development and National Service.
Also present to give context to the project was Mr Farook Hosein – Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Youth Development and National Service. “The construction of this Farm School not only increases the number of residential developmental facilities for technical/vocational skills training for young persons throughout Trinidad, it will also provide first-class training conditions for young men and women between the ages of 16 and 25 to embrace agriculture as a preferred way to earn a living,” the Permanent Secretary added.
Several Community Groups were represented at the online Consultation including: the Moruga/La Savanne Food Crop Farmers Association; the Moruga Development Committee; the Moruga Hill Rice Multi-Purpose Co-operative Society Limited; the Cunjal Food Project. The attendees contributed to a number of topics including suggestions for the location and facility; areas of study; Entrepreneurship and Financial Management and Smart Technology and Agricultural Practices.
“I’d like to thank the Ministry and different agencies for what they are doing for the community and young persons. We want to continue working with you on this project and we thank you for the consultation and we look forward to future consultations,” said Emmanuel Pierre Member of the Moruga Development Company and Young Farmers Food Production Company.
Several officials were also in attendance including Senator the Honourable Randall Mitchell, Minister of Tourism, Culture and the Arts; Senator the Honourable Kazim Hosein, Minister of Rural Development and National Service and Ms. Michelle Benjamin, Member of Parliament for Moruga/Tableland and Mr. Joseph Lorant, Councillor for Moruga.
The Ministry of Youth Development and National Service remains committed to bringing all stakeholders together to promote youth development and encouraging civic-minded citizens to contribute to National Service across Trinidad and Tobago.
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