Denbigh Showground Proposed to House Youth In Agriculture Programme
By: , July 31, 2016The Key Point:
Photo: Michael Sloley
Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries Minister, Hon. Karl Samuda (left), and Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS) President, Norman Grant (centre), examine a rabbit that was on display at the Denbigh Agricultural, Industrial and Food Show in May Pen, Clarendon, on Saturday, July 30. Looking on is JAS First Vice-President, Donald Berry.The Facts
- He contends that if the programme is sited at the property, which is owned by the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS), it would, among other things, facilitate greater training opportunities for young people in agriculture.
- YIAP aims to encourage young people to become involved in agriculture-based activities as well as influence them to pursue careers within the sector. It also serves as a means of enhancing food security across the island.
The Full Story
Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries Minister, Hon. Karl Samuda, is proposing that the Youth In Agriculture Programme (YIAP) be housed at the Denbigh showground in Clarendon.
He contends that if the programme is sited at the property, which is owned by the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS), it would, among other things, facilitate greater training opportunities for young people in agriculture.
Additionally, Mr. Samuda said it would serve as a hub for the sharing of ideas between stagings of the annual Denbigh Agricultural, Industrial and Food Show, now underway at the showground.
The Minister was speaking at the launch of the YIAP competition, held on day one of this year’s 64th staging of the Denbigh show on Saturday, July 30.
The YIAP is spearheaded by the National Youth In Agriculture Committee, which is overseen by the Jamaica 4-H Clubs.
It aims to encourage young people to become involved in agriculture-based activities as well as influence them to pursue careers within the sector. It also serves as a means of enhancing food security across the island.
In endorsing the YIAP, Mr. Samuda expressed confidence that the future of Jamaica’s agriculture was safe.
This, he noted, was based on positive feedback from several young people with whom he has spoken, and who indicated plans to become involved in the sector.
“It was clear, in every single instance, that each of them intends to make a significant contribution to agriculture and the development of Jamaica,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mr. Samuda expressed satisfaction with this year’s Denbigh show, noting that he was “extremely impressed” with what he saw.
“There is no (other) single exhibition that is put on that can equate with Denbigh…and it is improving. You can see the dynamism and the variety of new products coming on stream,” he stated.
Mr. Samuda visited several exhibits, including displays mounted by the Ebony Park HEART Academy, Newport-Fersan Limited and the College of Agriculture, Science and Education (CASE), among others.
The three-day event, which runs from July 30 to August 1, is being staged by the JAS under the theme: ‘Grow What We Eat…Eat What We Grow through Climate Smart Agriculture’.