Agri-smart youths to lead discussion at NCU symposium
Matters associated with youth in agriculture will be high on the agenda when the inaugural National Youth in Agriculture symposium gets under way at Northern Caribbean University in Mandeville today.
More than 2,000 youth are expected to make their way to the symposium, which is being held under the theme ‘I am Agri-Smart’, to discuss matters concerning their future in agriculture and its associated industries.
They will do so in panel discussions which begin at 9a.m.,
The Jamaica 4-H Clubs, along with members of the National Youth in Agriculture, is seeing this as the means of frank discussion regarding Jamaican youth’s involvement and future in agriculture.
“The Jamaica 4-H Clubs, and its youth in agriculture partners, have been strategically implementing projects and activities that are supportive of the ‘agri-smart farmer’. This type of farmer is one who is cognisant of the threats affecting the agricultural sector.
This individual is also ready to embrace innovation and new technologies, to explore the concept of food diversification, become appropriately equipped to operate a viable agri-business, and is trained and ready to combat climate change through appropriate mitigation practices,” said Dr Ronald Blake, executive director of the Jamaica 4-H Clubs.
“This symposium, the first of its kind in Jamaica, will set the stage to equip our youth to do just that,” he added.