“The Youth Agricultural Homestead Programme (YAHP) will give young people – between the ages of 18 and 35 years – the training; the technical support and the land, so that those who love farming can get involved in a very meaningful way. This programme, led by the Ministry of Youth Development and National Service, will be implemented in conjunction with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, through the Land Settlement Agency. Ultimately, we anticipate that participants will become successful 21st Century agri–entrepreneurs in a sector that requires significant youth injection for the sustainable development future of Trinidad and Tobago.”
The Honourable Foster Cummings, Minister of Youth Development and National Service was speaking at the Appointment Ceremony for the Programme Coordinating Committee of the Youth Agricultural Homestead Programme. The ceremony took place on Monday 15th November, 2021 at the Government Campus Plaza, Port of Spain.
“The members of this Programme Coordinating Committee are experienced and accomplished youth, agriculture and project practitioners. The Government has entrusted this multi-disciplinary Programme Coordinating Committee to make relevant recommendations for the implementation of the Youth Agricultural Homestead Programme and provide Policy insight and guidance,” explained Minister Cummings.
The Honourable Pennelope Beckles, Minister of Housing and Urban Development shared the role that her Ministry and its state agency would play, “The Ministry of Housing and Urban Development and the Land Settlement Agency (LSA) are extremely proud to be providing the land for youth farmers to execute their farming enedeavours.”
Minister Beckles gave further details on the programme adding, “The LSA is responsible for facilitating Component 2 of the Programme which will include the development of the infrastructure and land located at Fyzabad Field Road; Chatham Dairy Farm; Kendall Dairy Farm; Palo Seco and agricultural lands in Valencia; Gran Couva; Point-a-Pierre; Todds Road; Lopinot and Santa Cruz.”
Also speaking at the Appointment Ceremony were Mr. Farook Hosein, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youth Development and National Service and Mr. Rick Javed Ali, Deputy Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Planning and Development.
The Programme Coordinating Committee of the Youth Agricultural Homestead Programme consists of:
Mr. Armand Jackson – Ministry of Youth Development & National Service
Mrs. Sharla Codrington – Ministry of Youth Development & National Service
Mr. Sean Ramrattan – Ministry of Youth Development & National Service
Ms. Deanne Ramroop – Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries
Mrs. Wendy Beharry-Samsundar – Agricultural Development Bank
Ms. Adanna Piggott – MIC Institute of Technology
Ms. Charlene Roberts – National Agricultural Marketing and Development Corporation
Ms. Sangeeta Mack – Ministry of Planning and Development
Ms. Karen Sukha – Caribbean Industrial Research Institute
Ms. Shelly Sultanti-Maharaj – Land Settlement Agency
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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