Minister of Youth Development and National Service, the Honourable Foster Cummings, on Wednesday 15th March 2023, delivered the Feature Address at the Launch of Phase One of the Mayo Community Agricultural Project (MCAP). The Launch took place at the Mayo Roman Catholic Primary School. During the ceremony, twenty-seven (27) farmers from the Mayo Community received access to one acre parcels of land through a proposed lease arrangement with the MYDNS and the TCL via a Farmers’ Agricultural Co-operative for residents of Mayo and environs. The acquisition of this land will improve the community’s food security, employment levels, and healthy social interaction in a manner that is formalized and economically sustainable.
“Pillar One of the Youth Policy commits us as a Ministry to Prioritizing Youth Economic Participation and Empowerment, while under Pillar Six, we are committed to Emphasizing Youth Contributions to Rural Transformation, Agricultural Production and Food Security. This project is tailor-made for addressing and meeting these goals, along with similar initiatives in different parts of the country.” explained Minister Cummings.
Senator the Honourable Avinash Singh, Minister in the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries pledged his Ministry’s support to the MYDNS stating “I want to reaffirm our commitment to working together with the Ministry of Youth Development and National Service (MYDNS) and the Trinidad Cement Limited (TCL) as we continue to put people first.”
During his brief remarks, Mr. Guillermo Rojo De Diego, General Manager of Trinidad Cement Limited, reminded those in attendance that the Mayo Community Agricultural Project will have a huge impact on generations to come as the objective of this project is to improve the livelihood of the members of the Mayo community and environs and more importantly to contribute to the nation’s food security.
The Mayo Community Agriculture Project (MCAP), will promote training in Sustainable Agricultural Practices, the development of a Farmers’ Agricultural Co-operative, and the development of a Model Farm. Additionally, in collaboration with the Trinidad Cement Limited and the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries, this project will allow for the utilization of forty acres of TCL lands in the Mayo community, to facilitate a minimum of forty small-scale farming operations, for residents of Mayo and environs.
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 national service across Trinidad and Tobago.
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