October 30, 2024
Last evening, the Ministry of Youth Development and National Service (MYDNS) hosted an Extension Services Forum titled “Agri-Entrepreneurship and You”, at the Government Campus Plaza Auditorium, to provide participants of the Youth Agricultural Homestead Programme (YAHP) with essential guidance and information on modern agricultural practices and entrepreneurial skills.
Programme Coordinator for YAHP, Ms. Aneshia Beach, explained in her opening remarks “This Forum is necessary to bring together key YAHP stakeholders to provide updates and access to industry resources to further support and grow the agricultural sector”.
MYDNS’ Deputy Permanent Secretary, Ms. Savitri Balkaran stated during her remarks, “This Forum reflects the Ministry’s commitment to the next generation of Agri-Entrepreneurs and highlights our shared commitment to advancing agriculture”. DPS Balkaran reminded the graduates, “You are vital in ensuring that we achieve food security and this forum has brought together a network of invaluable partners to ensure that you emerge as leaders in Trinidad’s agricultural sector”.
The Land Settlement Agency (LSA), National Agricultural Marketing and Development Corporation (NAMDEVCO), National Entrepreneurship Development Company (NEDCO), Agricultural Development Bank, Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture, Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI), and MAFAS Caribbean Ltd, each gave insightful presentations to the YAHP graduates on land development and financing, agricultural trends and entrepreneurial resources.
Mr. Kelly Charles of the Land Settlement Agency, also provided updates on the allotted sites, stating, “Twenty-three contracts were awarded for the starter homes with a deadline date of December 2024. We anticipate the Chatham Diary Farm starter homes will be completed by February 2025, and the commencement of fifty starter homes in December with total completion by March 2025”. Charles also updated participants on the additional sites at Carlisle Estate, La Gloria Estate, Talparo Estate, Toco Estate and Persto Praesto.
YAHP offers comprehensive training in crop production and husbandry, contributing to employment and employability in the agri-sector, and impacting local food security, economic development and sustainability.
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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